Pairs:: Keauna McLaughlin and Rockne Brubaker won their second straight title at the U.S. championships, overcoming two big errors with their considerable speed and strength. They finished with a score of 178.76, edging newcomers Caydee Denney and Jeremy Barrett by about 2 1/2 points.
Ice dancing:: Meryl Davis and Charlie White won their first title at the U.S. championships, far outclassing the rest of the field. Their score of 201.68 points was 20 better than reigning world junior champions Emily Samuelson and Evan Bates. Kimberly Navarro and Brent Bommentre were third.
Tigers, reliever Lyon agree to one-year, $4.25M deal
baseball
The Detroit Tigers and right-handed pitcher Brandon Lyon agreed to a one-year, $4.25 million contract. Detroit needed a closer to replace the retired Todd Jones and compete with Fernando Rodney. Along with his salary, Lyon can earn $500,000 in performance bonuses. Lyon saved 26 games in 31 chances with Arizona, then was replaced by Chad Qualls as the Diamondbacks' closer late last season.
Athletics:: The team agreed to terms on a one-year, $3.9 million contract with right-hander Justin Duchscherer. A two-time All-Star sidelined by a strained right hip late in the season that later required arthroscopic surgery, he went 10-8 with a 2.54 ERA in 2008.
Phillies:: Chase Utley said his rehabilitation from right hip surgery is on schedule, and the second baseman expects to be ready by Opening Day. He had surgery Nov. 24.
Ex-Navy coach Tranquill hired as BC coordinator
et cetera
Boston College named former Navy head coach Gary Tranquill its offensive coordinator. BC's new head coach, Frank Spaziani, made the announcement. Tranquill replaces Steve Logan, who resigned after two years at BC. Tranquill has worked under several big-name coaches, including Bill Belichick, Nick Saban and Woody Hayes. Tranquill was the head coach at Navy for five years, beginning in 1982. He was quarterbacks coach for the Cleveland Browns from 1991 to 1993, while Belichick was head coach there. Most recently, Tranquill served as quarterbacks coach for the Rhein Fire in NFL Europe in 2007.
Boxing:: Shane Mosley (46-5, 39 knockouts) dominated from start to finish, knocking out Antonio Margarito (37-6, 27 knockouts) for the first time in his career in the ninth round in Los Angeles to win the World Boxing Association welterweight title in a stunning upset.
