Bay Area swimmers capture U.S. titles

Former SJSU coach, administrator Poch hired to run San Jose Sports Authority

Bay Area stars Kathleen Baker, Ryan Murphy and Katie Ledecky won titles on Day 2 of the USA Swimming Championships on Wednesday in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Cal’s Baker, won the women’s 200-meter backstroke in a world-leading time of 2:06.38. Murphy, also a Golden Bear, won the men’s 200 backstroke, edging Cal teammate Jacob Pebley. Stanford’s Ledecky won the women’s 200 freestyle.

It was her 12th national title (the second in two nights) and her third 200 free title overall.

“I was really happy with that (time), it felt good,” said Ledecky, whose 1:54.84 finish was the best in the world this year.

Kevin Cordes, who won gold on the 400 medley relay team last summer in Rio, tantalized fans in the men’s 200 breast by swimming the first 150 meters under world record pace. His winning time, 2:07.41, didn’t even break Josh Prenot’s American record. Cal’s Prenot was third.

Townley Haas won the men’s 200 free in 1:45.03, the world’s second-fastest time this year. On the women’s side, Lilly King won the 200 breaststroke and Kelsi Worrell won the 50 butterfly.

San Jose Sports Authority

John Poch, a former San Jose State coach and administrator, has been hired to run the San Jose Sports Authority. Poch replaces Patricia Ernstrom, who recently joined the 49ers in an executive role.

Poch will take over the quasi-government agency whose mission is to attract major sporting events to the South Bay. Poch served as tournament director of the 1999 and 2000 Women’s College Cup hosted by San Jose State. He also was the Spartans’ assistant coach for women’s soccer team from 1995 to 2000.

Track and field

Usain Bolt started the European leg of his final season before retirement with a victory in the 100 meters at the Golden Spike meeting in Ostrava, Czech Republic.

At the meet where he has most frequently competed in his career, with nine appearances, Bolt reeled in the rest of the field after a slow start to cross the finish line in 10.06 seconds. The eight-time Olympic champion is preparing for the world championships in London in August, his final major competition.

Motor sports

NASCAR has suspended another crew chief for Kyle Busch. Engineer and interim crew chief Ben Beshore will miss Saturday night’s race at Daytona because the No. 18 team had two unsecured lug nuts at the end of the Sonoma Raceway race last weekend. Crew chief Adam Stevens will miss his fourth and final race this weekend for a tire rolling off Busch’s car at Dover.

NFL

Dallas defensive end David Irving has been suspended the first four games of the season for violating the NFL’s policy against performance-enhancing drugs.

College football

Northwestern will host Notre Dame next season for the first time in more than 40 years. The Fighting Irish will play at Ryan Field in Evanston, Illinois, on Nov. 3, 2018.

Soccer

Claudio Bravo made three penalty saves as Chile crushed Portugal 3-0 in a penalty shootout in Zan, Russia, to reach the Confederations Cup final. Chile will play Germany or Mexico in Sunday’s final in St. Petersburg, Russia.