Texas A&M sweeps NCAA track titles

Before last year, Texas A&M had never won an NCAA team title. Now, the Aggies can boast consecutive championships for their men and women.

The men wrapped up the NCAA outdoor track and field championships Saturday at Eugene, Ore., with a crucial victory in the 1,600-meter relay and held off Florida to repeat, while the women were boosted by a 1-2 finish in the 200 meters.

Texas A&M had never won a team title before last year’s championships in Fayetteville, Ark. It was the first school since 1990 to win both outdoor championships.

The Aggies men finished with 55 points, followed by Florida with 54 and host Oregon with 45.

The women finished with 72 total points, followed by Oregon with 57 and Florida with 40.

HOCKEY

Kings assistant Hardy resigns

Kings assistant coach Mark Hardy, facing a fourth-degree felony sexual abuse charge, has resigned, a club spokesman said Saturday.

Hardy was arrested May 21 in Washington following a complaint filed by a family member. According to documents filed in Superior Court in Washington, he is in a residential treatment program and is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing on July 1. It is The Times’ practice not to name alleged sexual abuse victims.

In a statement, the Kings said Hardy had resigned Friday and they would have no further comment. The statement said a search for a new assistant coach would begin immediately.

Hardy’s attorney, Craig Renetzky of Woodland Hills, said via e-mail Saturday night that Hardy had voluntarily entered an alcohol treatment program. Renetzky also issued a statement on Hardy’s behalf:

“After 21 years with the Kings organization both as a player and a coach, the decision to leave the team at this time was one of the hardest of my career. My most important priorities are my family and my recovery, and I hope the Kings’ fans will understand my decision. We are grateful for the support and kindness that we have received through the years, especially now.”

—Helene Elliott

GOLF

Garrigus (66) takes the lead

Still recovering from food poisoning, Robert Garrigus shot a four-under-par 66 to break out of a pack and grab a two-stroke lead over Robert Karlsson of Sweden after three rounds at a steamy St. Jude Classic in Memphis, Tenn.

Garrigus surged to the top of the leaderboard with four birdies and an eagle against two bogeys to reach 11-under 199.

Karlsson, who shot a 68, is within striking distance of becoming the first European to win this event — the tour’s third-oldest, dating to 1958.

Second-round leader M.J. Hur and Cristie Kerr sat atop the leaderboard at 13 under as the third round of the LPGA State Farm Classic at Springfield, Ill., was postponed because of thunderstorms.

ETC.

Zenyatta goes for record

Zenyatta, fast becoming one of the best-known and most-celebrated mares in thoroughbred racing history, will attempt to secure a numerical place in the record books Sunday at Hollywood Park. The 6-year-old of owners Jerry and Ann Moss and trainer John Shirreffs will attempt to break the record for consecutive victories by a top-echelon race horse.

When jockey Mike Smith guides Zenyatta to the gate about 4:40 Sunday afternoon for the running of the $250,000, Grade I Vanity Handicap, she will attempt to win her 17th straight race. That would top the record of three legendary horses: Triple Crown winner Citation, plus Cigar and Mister Frisky.

—Bill Dwyre

Former UCLA basketball coach John Wooden was buried in a private ceremony at Forest Lawn in the Hollywood Hills, UCLA spokesman Marc Dellins said.

Wooden, who won 10 national championships at UCLA, died of natural causes at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center on June 4. He was 99.

A memorial service for Wooden is scheduled for June 26 at Pauley Pavilion.

—Chris Foster

UCLA basketball coach Ben Howland is back home and resting comfortably after undergoing surgery Friday to repair a ruptured right Achilles’ tendon, the school announced.