BRIEFLY.

Byline: - Daily News Wire Services

USC athlete is hit by hammer throw 

USC shot put All-American Noah Bryant suffered head and eye injuries Saturday when he was struck in the face during warmups of the hammer throw competition at Cal State Northridge.

Witnesses at the eight-team meet said the hammer Bryant threw ricocheted off a protective cage at the event area and hit him on the right side of his face. Bryant broke his nose and shattered several bones, including the orbital bone.

Bryant, from Carpinteria, underwent 3 1/2 hours of surgery Wednesday at the Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara.

``It was pretty devastating,'' his father, Dan Bryant, said. ``I was the first guy there. He released (the hammer) maybe a little too early but that happens all the time. The thing went up there 10-12 feet and shot back like a bullet. He was quick and agile enough to get his hand up there. We're blessed. We keep cringing at the thought of what could have been.''

A titanium bridge was inserted in his face and bone fragments are expected to attach to it where they will heal, his father said. Several incisions were made, including one in the corner of his eye. Bryant is expected to make a full recovery.

HOCKEY: Former Olympians Mike Modano, Doug Weight, Aaron Miller and Mike York were selected for the U.S. men's hockey team that will compete at the world championships.

Miller, of the Los Angeles Kings, is one of seven players returning from the team that won bronze at last year's worlds. Joining him are: Ty Conklin of the Edmonton Oilers, Hal Gill of the Boston Bruins, Andy Roach of the St. Louis Blues, Matt Cullen of the Carolina Hurricanes, Jeff Halpern of the Washington Capitals and Richard Park of the Minnesota Wild.

The 16-team world championships begin April 30, but the U.S. opens May 1 in Innsbruck, Austria, against Slovenia.

--A group of goaltenders met with NHL director of hockey operations Colin Campbell and representatives from the players' union in Detroit, one day before general managers from all 30 teams meet to discuss potential rules changes.

The GMs, who are scheduled to meet at a hotel at Detroit Metropolitan Airport today and Friday, are expected to discuss proposals to cut down on the size of goaltending equipment and on the issue of larger nets, both of which are points of contention for the league's goalies.

--In Norrkoping, Sweden, Krissy Wendell led the United States with two goals and two assists in an 8-1 win over Finland at the women's world hockey championship, helping the Americans finish round-robin play undefeated.

BOXING: Congress is urging a presidential pardon for Jack Johnson, the first black heavyweight champion who was convicted in 1913 in a case based on his consensual relationship with a white woman.

BASKETBALL: Temple's Nehemiah Ingram, who broke an opponent's arm when ordered to play rough by coach John Chaney, is trying to make the Owls' football team as a defensive lineman. Ingram, 6-foot-8 and 275 pounds, is a walk-on hoping to become the fourth athlete to play football and basketball during the Chaney era.

--Sophomore center Josh Boone and freshman forward Rudy Gay announced they will return to Connecticut next season after considering leaving early for the NBA.

HORSE RACING: Melanyhasthepapers beat favorite Greg's Gold by 1 1/2 lengths in the $56,232 feature race at Santa Anita.