Jorgensen claims another win

Waukesha native and University of Wisconsin graduate Gwen Jorgensen continued her string of impressive triathlon victories by winning the ITU World Cup in New Plymouth, New Zealand, on Sunday.

Jorgensen pulled away from Andrea Hewitt of New Zealand and Kirsten Kasper of the U.S. in the run portion to win in 58 minutes 51 seconds.

“There was a lot of good and tough athletes, a lot of fast swimmers, so it was a good test,” Jorgensen told triathlon.

Jorgensen, a two-time world champion, has now won 15 events and will be the favorite in the Olympics in August.

NBA

Blake Griffin will return to the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday after a three-month absence caused by hand and quadriceps injuries.

Coach Doc Rivers said Griffin likely will start against the Washington Wizards at Staples Center. It will be the first of seven games for Griffin before the playoffs.

Griffin hasn’t played since Christmas Day, when he partially tore a left quadriceps tendon.

LACROSSE

Sophomore goalie Cole Blazer made 13 saves in his first career start as Marquette shut down the nation’s second-highest powered offense with a dominant 11-3 victory over fifthranked Villanova on Saturday at Valley Fields.

Blazer and the Marquette defense did not allow a goal for the first 29 minutes 12 seconds on their way to the first win over a top-10 opponent in program history.

Attackman Ryan McNamara led the Golden Eagles (7-1, 2-0 Big East) with four goals.

MU women 15, Villanova 6: Julianna Shearer and Allison Lane had three goals apiece to lead the Golden Eagles (4-7, 1-0 Big East) past the host Wildcats (2-10, 0-2).

SOFTBALL

Melanie Cross socked a walk-off home run to give Wisconsin a 6-5 victory over No. 24 Ohio State at the Goodman Softball Complex in Madison.

It was the third victory by the Badgers (18-13, 3-1 Big Ten) over a ranked team this season.

ROWING

The 13th-ranked Wisconsin women’s team opened the spring season in style at the San Diego Crew Classic.

Wisconsin’s varsity eight boat raced to the top time in the Jessop-Whittier Cup preliminary heats, posting a time faster than three teams

ranked ahead of it, including No. 2 California, to advance to Sunday’s Grand Final.

FIGURE SKATING

Sixteen-year-old Evgenia Medvedeva of Russia capped a dominant debut season by winning a world championship in Boston with a record-setting free skate score.

Medvedeva earned 150.10 points to break Yuna Kim’s record from the 2010 Olympics. She moved up from third after the short program to first to add to her Grand Prix Final and European titles.

American Ashley Wagner skated last and sent the home crowd into a frenzy with a personal-best score that moved her from fourth to second, the first U.S. woman in a decade to win a medal at worlds.

Another Russian teen, Anna Pogorilaya, won bronze. American Gracie Gold, who led after the short program, fell on her opening tripletriple combination to drop to fourth.

HORSE RACING

Nyquist won the Florida Derby in Hallandale Beach to remain unbeaten, giving his connections an enormous payday and likely cementing his status as the favorite for the Kentucky Derby.

Nyquist earned $1.6 million for the win — $600,000 as his share of the purse, and $1 million more as a bonus because he was also sold at Gulfstream Park and was therefore eligible for extra money by returning for the track’s signature race.

Now 7 for 7 in his career, Nyquist went to the lead early, got tested from favored Mohaymen as the two hit the top of the stretch and never wavered, winning in 1 minute 49.11 seconds. Majesto was second.

From Journal Sentinel staff and wire reports