Track
OLYMPIC OVAL MEET: For the first time in over 15 years, BYU will host an indoor track and field meet, but the only catch is that the meet is not at home. The Olympic Oval Invitational will be hosted in conjunction with the University of Utah and will take place at the Utah Olympic Oval in Kearns today.
The field events will go from 1:30 to 5 p.m., and the running events will go from 2 to 7:30 p.m.
The Olympic Oval boasts a 442-meter state-of-the-art Mondo Super X track that has four lanes. One of the hockey rinks inside the track will be converted into the field area for the jumping pits and the throwing events. Also competing at the invitational will be the University of Utah, Weber State, the University of Illinois women's team and Southern Utah University's distance team.
Perdita Felicien of Illinois, the 2002 NCAA Indoor Champion and record holder in the 60mH will be competing, and former BYU star Tiffany Lott-Hogan, who holds the World Indoor Record in the 55mH, will also run.
Volleyball
TOM'S PRO DEBUT: USA Women"s National Team standout Logan Tom scored six points after coming off the bench in her professional debut last weekend in Colroado Springs, as her new team, MRV/Minas of the Brazil Superliga defeated Blue Life/Pinheiros, 3-1.
Tom, a two-time American Volleyball Coaches Association Player of the Year and four-time first-team All-American in her four seasons at Stanford University, joined one of the best teams in the top Brazilian domestic league on Jan. 4 shortly after finishing her collegiate eligibility with a runner-up finish at the NCAA championships. She is a graduate of Salt Lake City's Highland High.
Baseball
NEW LOOK FOR I-ROD: Ivan Rodriguez, whose physique earned him the nickname "Pudge" when he played in the minor leagues, looks a little slimmer these days.
That's one reason the Florida Marlins believe he'll be worth $10 million this season.
The Marlins introduced their new catcher at a news conference Friday, and Rodriguez expects to duplicate his MVP season of 1999 because he's the fittest he's been since that year.
"I've been working very hard," Rodriguez said. "I've finally been doing the training I did in 1999. I've been doing my whole workout, and it's going to be a different season for me."
GWYNN MAKES DEBUT: Tony Gwynn officially began his quest to lead San Diego State — his alma mater — into college baseball's big-time Friday night when the Aztecs opened their season against Arizona State.
YANKEES SIGN LIEBER: The pitching-rich New York Yankees once again have eight starting pitchers.
Injured right-hander Jon Lieber's $3.5 million, two-year contract was announced Friday by the team, which is counting on him to be part of its rotation for 2004.
Lieber, who turns 33 in April, had a ligament in his right elbow replaced in August, an operation that usually has a recovery time of about one year. The former All-Star has spent his major league career with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Chicago Cubs.
Hockey
AVALANCHE OF INJURIES: Colorado's injury problems got worse Friday with defenseman Derek Morris and forward Serge Aubin declared out indefinitely.
Morris suffered a blowout fracture of the right eye when he was punched by Columbus' David Ling during a fight in Colorado's 5-0 victory over the Blue Jackets on Thursday night. Morris was taken to the hospital after the game, and the team said he will require minor surgery.
Aubin bruised his right foot when he was hit by a shot early against the Blue Jackets and left the arena on crutches.
The injuries come just two days after the Avalanche learned that captain Joe Sakic will miss 2-to-4 weeks with a broken right foot. Colorado also is without Vaclav Nedorost (broken hand), Scott Parker (foot) and Brad Larsen (back).