Briefs
Warrrant issued for Browns’ Beckham
A misdemeanor simple battery warrant has been issued for Cleveland Browns wide receiver and former LSU star Odell Beckham Jr., police in New Orleans said Thursday.
The warrant comes as video posted on social media appears to show Beckham swatting a security officer’s buttocks during LSU’s locker room victory celebration after Monday night’s college national championship game in the Superdome.
“We are aware of the incident and have been in touch with Odell and his representatives on the matter,”the Browns said in a statement. “They are cooperating with authorities to appropriately address the situation.”
LSU players were seen smoking cigars – forbidden in the Superdome – in pictures from the Monday night celebration. Authorities reportedly warned them they could face arrest.
In a 27-second video available on Twitter, a security officer is seen standing over an LSU player sitting on a locker room bench. The officer appears to be searching around the bench and pointing to the floor. He can be heard talking about a “burn mark” just before Beckham approaches him from behind and appears to swat his backside.
LSU has acknowledged contacting officials from the NCAA and Southeastern Conference about Beckham apparently handing out cash to Tigers players on the field after the national championship game.
Nakken hired by Giants
Alyssa Nakken became the first female coach on a major league staff in baseball history Thursday when she was named an assistant under new Giants manager Gabe Kapler.
Major League Baseball confirmed Nakken is the first woman coach in the majors. Nakken is a former softball standout at first base for Sacramento State who joined the club in 2014 as an intern in baseball operations. She and Mark Hallberg, who was also named as an assistant Thursday, will work to promote high performance along with a close-knit team atmosphere.
Kapler, who expressed during the winter meetings that he would hire some coaches for nontraditional roles, said in a text message Nakken will be in uniform.
The NBA has several female assistant coaches. The NFL’s San Francisco 49ers, playing in this Sunday’s NFC championship game, have Katie Sowers as an offensive assistant.
W&J wrestlers fall
Despite a late rally, Washington & Jefferson College wrestling team fell short in its comeback attempt Thursday night, falling, 24-23, to host Thiel College in a Presidents’ Athletic Conference matchup.
The Tomcats opened the match with a win via technical fall then tacked on a pin to build an early 11-0 lead over the Presidents after two matches.
Michael Heinl won by major decision over Hunter Martz at 149 pounds. The senior earned victory by a 14-3 margin to cut the Presidents’ deficit to 11-4.
However, the Tomcats tacked on a win by major decision at 157 pounds then used a pin at 165 pounds to take a commanding 21-4 advantage. W&J was wrestling without nationally ranked Jared Walker at 165 pounds. Walker holds the No. 7 ranking at the weight class in this week’s recent d3wrestle.com rankings.
The Presidents ripped off decisive wins in the next three matches to close the gap. Hunter Neely of Bentworth) defeated Cameron Prebble by a 12-2 major decision at 174 pounds.
Jaden Datz added an 11-5 decision over Dylan Proper at 184 pounds.
Alex Donahue won by fall in 2:54 over Landon Westover at 197 to bring the Presidents within four points at 21-17.
Thiel was able to secure the match victory with a 9-5 decision at 285 pounds by Gage Gladysz.
Manny Dovshek of Bentworth closed the evening with a pin for the Presidents.