Holmgren gets a contract extension
SEATTLE, May 17 (UPI) -- Seattle Seahawks Coach Mike Holmgren Wednesday was given a two-year contract extension.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Various reports said he was entering the final year of a $35 million, eight-year contract that was to pay him $7 million in 2006. ESPN said Holmgren's extension is worth between $15.5 million to $17 million.
"We believe we've locked up what we think is one of the finest coaches in the National Football League, not just now but in the history of the game, and we're very fortunate," said Seahawks President Tim Ruskell at a news conference. "It's a great day for the organization, and especially for our fans."
In seven seasons in Seattle, Holmgren -- who previously coached the Green Bay Packers -- has guided the Seahawks to four playoff appearances, including their first-ever Super Bowl appearance last season.
He signed a record-breaking eight-year, $35 million deal in 1999 as coach and general manager.
Nash leads all-NBA Team
NEW YORK, May 17 (UPI) -- League MVP Steve Nash of Phoenix headlined the all-NBA Team announced in New York Wednesday.
The two-time MVP was joined on the First Team by Miami Heat center Shaquille O'Neal, guard Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers and forwards Dirk Nowitzki of Dallas and LeBron James of Cleveland.
Nash made the first team for the second straight season after averaging career highs in points (18.8), rebounds (4.2) and minutes (35.5). He also had career bests in field goal percentage (.512) and free throw percentage (.921), while averaging a league-high 10.5 assists per game.
O'Neal was named to the first team for the seventh straight season and the eighth time in his career.
He averaged 20 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.76 blocked shots per contest. He led the league in field goal percentage (60 percent) for the ninth time, tying Wilt Chamberlain for the most in league history.
Bryant led the league in scoring with a 35.4 points per game.
9-horse field entered for Preakness
BALTIMORE, May 17 (UPI) -- Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro Wednesday drew post Six for Saturday's Preakness Stakes at Pimlico in Baltimore.
The event is the second leg of horse racing's annual Triple Crown.
Barbaro was installed as even-money favorite for the 131st running of the race, which will have nine horses in the field. Barbaro was a decisive 6 1/2 lengths winner at Churchill Downs, the largest margin of victory at the Derby in 60 years, and has total earnings of more than $2.3 million.
"It'll probably be a cleaner-run race, but nothing changes for me," said Barbaro trainer Michael Matz on the Preakness Web site. "We still have to beat the same horses we beat last time."
Among other horses in the field will be Kentucky Derby morning line favorite, Brother Derek (Post Five), which won the Santa Anita Derby; and Illinois Derby winner Sweetnorthernsaint, who is the 4-1 third choice. Bernardini (Post 8) is an 8-1 choice.
Clijsters, Dementieva move on in Rome
ROME, May 17 (UPI) -- Former champion Kim Clijsters and Elena Dementieva Wednesday both advanced to the quarterfinals of the Italian Masters women's tennis tournament in Rome.
Clijsters beat qualifier Akiko Morigami of Japan, 4-6, 6-1, 6-3. Dementieva, a two-time Grand Slam runner-up, won her second round match in a walk-over when her opponent, Shuai Peng of China, pulled out, citing dizziness.
Patty Schnyder of Switzerland, the 6th-seed and last year's runner-up, beat unseeded Vera Dushevina of Russia, 7-6 (10-8), 6-2, Tenth-seeded Anastasia Myskina of Russia topped unseeded Roberta Vinci of Italy, 6-0, 1-6, 6-4.
No. 11 Anna-Lena Groenefeld of Germany beat unseeded Aiko Nakamura of Japan, 6-4, 6-3. No. 15 Flavia Pennetta of Italy beat unseeded Catalina Castano of Colombia, 6-3, 6-3, and 16th-seeded Dinara Safina of Russia beat wild card Maria Elena Camerin of Italy, 6-4, 6-4.
Jie leads winners at Morocco
RABAT, Morocco, May 17 (UPI) -- Jie Zheng of China Wednesday led first-round winners at the clay-court Grand Prix SAR Tennis Tournament at Rabat, Morocco.
The second-seeded Jie beat qualifier Youlia Fedossova of France, 6-0, 6-1.
Third-seeded Emilie Loit of France ousted Ivana Lisjak of Croatia, 6-4, 6-3. Unseeded Melinda Czink of Hungary was a 6-1, 6-4, victor over No. 6 Ashley Harkleroad of the United States.
American Meghann Shaughnessy beat fellow non-seed Sandra Kloesel of Germany, 7-5, 0-6, 6-3. Hana Sromova of the Czech Republic topped qualifier Lioudmila Skavronskaia of Russia, 6-1, 6-0. Unseeded American Neha Uberoi beat unseeded Selima Sfar of Tunisia, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.
The tournament winner will claim $22,900.
Canada, Sweden advance at Riga
RIGA, Latvia, May 17 (UPI) -- Canada and Sweden Wednesday advanced to the semifinals of the 2006 World Ice Hockey Championships at Riga, Latvia.
In the quarters, Canada beat Slovakia, 4-1, while Sweden buried the United States, 6-0.
Mike Cammalleri, Patrice Bergeron, Sidney Crosby and Jeff Carter scored goals, and goaltender Marc Denis made 22 saves, for Canada.
Canada -- which had three goals within two minutes in the third period -- will face Sweden in one semifinal on Saturday.
In the U.S.-Sweden game, Mika Hannula had a hat trick and Johan Holmqvist turned aside all 18 shots he faced to earn the shutout.
The other semi will be between the winners of Thursday's Russia-Czech Republic and Finland-Belarus contests.
