Rose on first-pitch duty for Freedom

Former Red Pete Rose will throw out the first pitch for the July 21 Florence Freedom game, at 1:05 p.m. against Chillicothe. Rose (above) also is expected to spend time with the team before the game. Tickets are on sale only at the Champion Windows Field box office, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Stadium seating is $6 to $9; upper-deck open seating is $25; and boxes accommodating 12 people cost $1,000. Call (859) 594-4487. OLYMPICS

Armstrong opts out of Games

Lance Armstrong is skipping the Athens Olympics, saying he needs to spend more time with his three children. The cyclist is bidding for a record sixth straight Tour de France title but had planned to ride for the United States next month at the Summer Games. Armstrong, whose best Olympic result is a bronze medal in the individual time trial in 2000, said he spent two months away from his children in the spring and another three months apart before the Tour de France.

Area swimmers advance at Trials

Covington Catholic graduate Nate Dusing and Sycamore alum Dan Ketchum both advanced to tonight's men's 200-meter freestyle final at the U.S. Olympic Trials Thursday night. A third local swimmer, St. Xavier product Jayme Cramer, missed the cut.

Three locals seek track berths

Former Cincinnati Bearcats Mary Danner and David Payne and Amelia graduate Andrea Morgan will pursue spots in the Athens Games at the U.S. Track and Field Trials that begin today in Sacramento, Calif. Danner has a chance to go as a relay member; Payne is a longer shot in the 110 hurdles, as is Morgan in the 800.

Owens to coach Woodward football

William Alexis Owens has been named varsity football coach at Woodward. Owens, 35, spent the past 13 years as an assistant at Hughes, and also was head wrestling and track coach at the school. He replaces Mike Brown, who resigned after one season and an 0-10 record at Woodward. "I've told the guys we don't have any control over last year, and we can just control the future," Owens said. "They're building a brand-new school building, and I like the direction the school is going."

Tom Groeschen