Van Kirk

WASHINGTON - The 372nd Military Police Company from Cumberland, about 150 Army Reserve soldiers who arrived in Iraq in May and were preparing to return home last week, will remain in the country into June and perhaps well into the summer to provide security for military and civilian convoys, Pentagon officials said yesterday. When the Pentagon extended the yearlong deployments of some 20,000 soldiers in Iraq last week, no Maryland-based soldiers were on the list. Although the company has yet to officially receive its extension order, it will be coming soon, said a Pentagon official, explaining that the military reservists were tapped for extended duty last week but didn't make the list, which included active-duty and reserve soldiers.

Cut to the chase:John Ausherman didn't allow himself the luxury of thinking about winning yesterday's 30th Washington's Birthday Marathon until nearly within sight of the finish line. Pressure had nothing to do with it.See, lots of marathons these days have accompanying relays and, well, there are people jumping in and pulling out all over the place. "The only solid pieces of information I had was I did the first half in 1:18 and I was about fifth at 15 miles," said the Chambersburg, Pa., native.

They're talking about a sellout for the boxing show at the Pikesville Armory next Wednesday night, and judging from the ratings just released by the U.S. Boxing Association, the joint should be packed.When Vincent Pettway (34-4) climbs into the ring to oppose Gilbert Baptist (23-12), the vacant junior-middleweight title will be on the line and the fighters are rated No. 2 and 3, respectively, by that organization.There's a strong rumor that the winner stands a strong chance of getting a shot at the IBF 154-pound crown held by Gianfranco Rosi of Italy.

Reading time, two minutes: The boxing mob, apprised of the odds favoring Vincent Pettway in Monday night's strangely named "Battle of Bad Blood" against Eddie Van Kirk at the Arena, looked the other way and sees it as a dead-even affair.For Van Kirk (all by KO) -- Don Elbaum, Tom Roth, Nick Trotta, Lou Benson, Carson McCourry, Tom Danna and Gia The Round Girl, who says, "Eddie will catch my spirit and take him out in five."For Pettway (mostly by decision) -- Clarence "Du" Burns, Russell Peltz, Max Kisner, Johnny Gilden, Ron Essett, Josh Hall, Frank Gilbert.

News from the Cauliflower Patch: Either Ron Essett is the luckiest fighter since Chuck Davey or the super middleweight who used to fight out of this precinct is getting very close to becoming what in boxing is referred to as an "opponent."Unsuccessful in earlier bids for the WBA and WBC 168-pound titles, the latter coming last summer in Sicily, Essett gets another chance April 25 in London. Chris Eubanks' WBO crown will be at stake this time.Baltimorean Tommy Rothe manages the Florida fighter and he had pretty well given up after Essett turned in such an uninspired performance against WBC champ Mauro Galvano.

A heavyweight bout Feb. 6 will headline the next Josh Hall-Victoria Savaliski Round One Promotions Dinner and Boxing Show at Michael's 8th Avenue in Glen Burnie.Hall and Savaliski staged a successful debut at the plush Michael's catering hall Nov. 14, making a modest profit -- for the first time in several shows. Things had gone awry at La Fontaine Bleu in Glen Burnie, and the change to Michael's has sparked a new interest in pro boxing in the county.For their first show of the new year, Hall and Savaliski have decided to feature a heavyweight bout as the main event.

Eddie VanKirk settled scores with his fists as he grew up on the tough streets of Southwest Baltimore. He went on to box professionally for 13 years as a welterweight and confidently took on competitors. Mr. VanKirk died Sunday at the University of Maryland Medical Center of complications from an infection. He was 45. The circumstances of his death mirrored the ups and downs in his life. He was recuperating from a gunshot wound that he suffered in November last year during a home invasion in the 300 block of Parrish St. Police said the gunman demanded money and drugs.

An Essex man has been charged with shaking his 15-month-old stepson to death, Baltimore County police said yesterday. Leroy Edward VanKirk Jr., 22, of the first block of Eddystone Place has been in jail on child abuse, assault and attempted-murder charges since Friday, when the baby was flown to Johns Hopkins Hospital. The child, Alexander William Hauhn, died at the hospital the next day, police said. After an autopsy, the death was ruled a homicide caused by head trauma, police said.

On July 26, 2003 MARGARET L. (nee Johnson) beloved wife of the late Vernon W. Henkel, loving mother of Linda A. Bardo, loving grandmother of Jarrett D. VanKirk, Michelle Spencer and Tanya Knight, dear great- grandmother of Mindy Spencer, Misty Spencer and Kevyn Knight, dear aunt of Larry Brooks. Friends are invited to call at the family owned and operated MCCULLY-POLYNIAK FUNERAL HOME P.A., 237 E. Patapsco Ave. (Brooklyn) on Monday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M. Funeral service will be celebrated on Tuesday 10 A.M. at the funeral home.

Baltimore junior middleweight Vincent Pettway will get his first title shot on Feb. 19 when he battles Gilbert Baptist of San Diego for the vacant United States Boxing Association title.Stuart Satosky, who will promote the 12-round championship match at the Pikesville Armory, received official sanctioning yesterday from International Boxing Federation president Bob Lee.The IBF has Pettway (34-4, 25 KOs) ranked eighth in the world and Baptist (23-12, 8 KOs) rated No. 9 behind world champion Gianfanco Rosi of Italy.