BOXING

Five Augusta boxers win Labor Day event

In Kingsland, Ga., the Augusta Boxing Club won the team championship on Saturday in the Labor Day Boxing Championships behind five gold-medal efforts.

The following Augusta boxers were gold medalists: Jermain Fowler (60 pounds); Desmond Lyons (65 pounds); Preston Reese (80 pounds); Doc Robinson (85 pounds); and Patrick Thompkins (152 pounds).

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

Statistics needed from area coaches

Weekly statistics are needed from the area's high school coaches. Coaches are asked to either fax their information to (706) 823-3408 or e-mail them to matt.middleton@augustachronicle.com.

Area leaders in kicking, interceptions, passing, punting, rushing, receiving, sacks and tackles will be tracked.

These individual player statistics are due by noon today. There will be no exceptions. Please call staff writer Matt Middleton at (706) 823-3425 with any questions.

- To report a high school football score, call The Augusta Chronicle at (706) 823-3349. Please include information on scoring plays and statistics for both teams.

MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

GreenJackets win in playoff preview

In Asheville, N.C., the Augusta GreenJackets won 3-1 over the Asheville Tourists to take the final regular-season series between the first-round playoff opponents.

Nick Noonan got it going early, hitting a home run in the first. Augusta has hit at least one homer in eight games in a row.

Augusta added two runs in the seventh. Dom Duggan 's two-out RBI single was the game-winner.

Wilmin Rodriguez pitched three innings of scoreless relief for his second win of the season.

SOCCER

U.S. national team set for trip to Cuba

The next stop for the U.S. men's national team is its first match in Cuba in 61 years.

Don't expect the U.S. squad to focus on anything but soccer.

"I'm not going there to make any political statements," U.S. forward Landon Donovan said.

"... That (political) part of it is real, but the reason we're there is to play soccer."

The heavily favored U.S. will play Cuba in a FIFA World Cup qualifier in Havana on Saturday.

The U.S. national team has traveled to Cuba only once, losing 5-2 in 1947, although the under-20 team played in Havana in 1991 during the Pan American Games.

- Jorvan Viera is returning to coach the Iraqi men's national team a year after leading the country to an improbable Asian title.

The Brazilian will sign a one-year contract in Baghdad today, Iraq federation head Ahmed Abbas said Monday.

Viera stepped down after Iraq unexpectedly won the Asian Cup.

Iraqi Adnan Hamad was fired in June after Iraq lost a World Cup qualifier, ending the soccer-mad country's dream of attending the 2010 finals in South Africa.

CYCLING

Bennati takes over Spanish Vuelta lead

In Cordoba, Spain, Italian rider Daniele Bennati took the overall lead of the Spanish Vuelta after a third stage won by Tom Boonen , of Belgium, in a sprint finish.

Boonen, riding for Quickstep, finished the 105-mile stage in 4 hours, 25 minutes, 24 seconds.

The 27-year-old Boonen, a former world cycling champion, had been excluded from the Beijing Olympics and the Tour de France after testing positive for cocaine.

OLYMPICS

Another horse tests positive for doping

In Lausanne, Switzerland, Brazil's Rufus became the sixth horse to test positive for doping during the Beijing Olympics.

Rodrigo Pessoa was fifth in the individual jumping final aboard Rufus. The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) said it suspended him Friday after an initial hearing. The backup sample will be tested today.

LOCAL SPORTS

Five Augusta boxers win Labor Day event

In Kingsland, Ga., the Augusta Boxing Club won the team championship on Saturday in the Labor Day Boxing Championships behind five gold-medal efforts.

The following Augusta boxers were gold medalists: Jermain Fowler (60 pounds); Desmond Lyons (65 pounds); Preston Reese (80 pounds); Doc Robinson (85 pounds); and Patrick Thompkins (152 pounds).