NYSSWA: New York State Sportswriters Association

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Leading off today: For the first time in memory, the New York State Public High School Athletic Association tournament didn't settle the issue of a No. 1 ranking this spring.

That's why West Islip and Chaminade have finished the season as co-No. 1's in the New York State Sportswriters Association rankings compiled by editor Neil Kerr.

West Islip (22-1) earned its share the traditional way, running the table on posteseason competition and scoring a 9-4 victory over West Genesee in the NYSPHSAA championship game.

But the one mark on West Islip's record came courtesy of Chaminade (14-3), which scored a 7-6 victory when the teams faced off on April 7. Chaminade's losses came to CHSAA rival St. Anthony's in overtime and to a pair of powerful out-of-state teams -- Fairfield (Conn.) Prep, 6-4, and Delbarton (N.J.), 8-7 in overtime.

Better labels urged for sports creams: Experts say that the death of Staten Island teen distance runner Arielle Newman shows a need for clearer warnings on muscle soreness creams, which are a staple in locker rooms around the country.

Newman, 17, died in April from an accidental overdose of methyl salicylate, the wintergreen-scented ingredient found in liniments like BenGay, Icy Hot and Tiger Balm,

the New York City medical examiner's office ruled last week.

"There has to be a heightened awareness that these products are something that needs to be used under medical supervision," Dr. Gerard Varlotta, director of sports rehabilitation at the Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine at NYU Medical Center, told The Associated Press.

The medical examiner's office said Newman put the cream on her legs and used adhesive pads containing the ingedient plus a third product over a long period of time, triggering the overdose.

The AP said Johnson & Johnson said in a statement that its BenGay product "is safe and effective when used as directed to provide relief from minor arthritis pain, sore, aching and strained muscles and backaches." The labels on BenGay and Icy Hot, manufactured by Chattem Inc., say to stop using them if "condition worsens or symptoms persist for more than 7 days."

Warnings on labels should also point out that the products contain aspirin, which can be harmful for some users, including those with asthma, Varlotta said.

Spokeswoman Kimberley Rawlings said the Food and Drug Administration is aware of Newman's death but would not disclose whether the labeling requirements for methyl salicylate products might be changed.

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