Heyl Is in Good Position Entering Kayak Finals

Brett Heyl finished first and second in his two runs yesterday in the men's single kayak competition at the U.S. trials in Charlotte.

Heyl (George Washington) was in third place after Friday's opening two runs. The finals are today.

Scott Parsons of Bethesda held a slim lead after the first day of competition but was fifth and seventh yesterday.

In women's kayak, Caroline Queen, 16, of Darnestown, who led after the first two runs on Friday, had four penalties in her first run yesterday, finishing 12th, but won her second run.

Ashley Nee, 18, of Washington, also improved, from 10th in her first run to fifth in her second.

· FIELD HOCKEY: The U.S. women's team is a victory from a berth in Beijing after defeating Netherlands Antilles, 3-1, yesterday in a qualifying tournament in Kazan, Russia.

The Americans (5-0) advanced to today's final against Belgium (3-1-1). The winner gets an automatic spot in the Beijing Games.

Tiffany Snow, Dana Sensinig and Kate Barber scored for the U.S. team.

The U.S. women have not qualified for an Olympics since 1988 (they received a bye in 1996 as the host country).

· BOXING: The United States will not have an entry in the light heavyweight class in Beijing after Christopher Downs dropped his first bout at the Americas qualifier in Guatemala City on Friday night.