NEWSWIRE

Miscellany

Naomi Nari Nam, the 13-year-old from Irvine who recently finished second at the U.S. National Figure Skating Championships, and 14-year-old Sasha Cohen of Laguna Niguel, who finished second in the junior competition at nationals, are both reaping benefits from their performances in Salt Lake City last month.

Nari Nam has been invited to join the Champions On Ice tour for its California swing in June. Nari Nam will be performing with past Olympians Oksana Baiul, Surya Bonaly, Todd Eldredge, Philippe Candeloro and Elvis Stojko as well as with Michelle Kwan, who finished first at the nationals. Among the eight stops that Nari Nam will make will be at the Arrowhead Pond on June 4 and at the Great Western Forum on June 5.

Cohen will be competing in her first international event March 23-27 at the Gardena Winter Trophy in Ortisei, Italy. Joining Cohen will be U.S. junior champion Sara Wheat of Swedesboro, N.J.

World champion Agnes Kovacs of Hungary defeated Olympic champion Amanda Beard of Irvine in the women’s 200-meter breaststroke at Imperia, Italy, for her third gold at a World Cup short-course meet.