YSU

YSU
Playforth, Vodhanelsign for tennis
YOUNGSTOWN -- Heather Hagood of Vermillion and Julie Playforth of Canfield and Megan Vodhanel of Canfield have signed letters of intent to play tennis at Youngstown State.
Hagood compiled a 71-21 record, reached the state twice and played first singles for four years at Vermillion High.
Playforth and Vodhanel were named first-team All-Ohio in 2000 and second-team all-state in 1999. They took third in the state doubles tournament as seniors and had an 84-7 career record.
LOCAL
Tennis playersadvance
BOARDMAN -- Top-seeded Brian Meek and Todd Wojtkowski of Ursuline High won two matches, advancing to the semifinals of the Division II boys sectional tennis tournament Wednesday at Boardman High School.
Meek-Wojktowski won both matches in straight sets and did not lose a game. They will play Nate Lamkin and Ryan Wells of Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit in the semifinals on Saturday.
Poland's Nick Radick and Jordan Wagner also won two matches to reach the semifinals, where they will play Eric Cagnoli and Trevor Hoffman of Ashtabula Edgewood.
In singles, top-seeded Donald Person of Ursuline won two matches to reach the quarterfinals; he will play Warren Kennedy's Craig Rossi.
The second seed, Colin Larouere of Poland, won two matches in straight sets, to advance to a quarterfinal match against Doug Weaver of Marlington.
Also advancing to the quarterfinals were fourth-seeded Tom Page of West Branch, Todd Brininger of Jefferson, Patrick Cleary of Walsh Jesuit and Brian Gowday of Edgewood.
Bowling tourney
NILES -- Bob Learn, Tom Baker and Ted Hannahs will be among the pros competing for a $3,000 first-place prize this weekend when a Professional Bowlers Association Tour regional is held at McKinley Lanes.
The tournament has attracted 180 from several states for the pro-am.
On Friday, the youth pro-am beginning at 6:30 will include 80 youths competing for a $100 first-place scholarship. The adult pro-am starts at 9 p.m. with 100 entrants vying for a $500 first-place award.
The pros begin Saturday morning at 9 with survivors returning Sunday at 9. The winner will be determined at approximately 2 p.m. Sunday.
Softball tourneyat Boardman
BOARDMAN -- The Boardman High softball team will play host to three highly-ranked teams at the Field of Dreams.
Boardman, ranked No. 2 in Division I, will play games against Massillon Jackson (No. 4 ), Tallmadge (No. 2 in Div. II) and Akron Manchester (No. 1 in Div. III).
Boardman's schedule is: Manchester, Friday at 5 p.m.; Jackson, Saturday at 11:30 a.m.; and Tallmadge, Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
The other games are: Jackson vs. Tallmadge, Friday at 6:45 p.m.; Manchester vs. Jackson, Saturday at 1:30 p.m.; and Manchester vs. Tallmadge, Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
NATION
Vick signs
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Just 2 1/2 weeks after taking quarterback Michael Vick with the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, the Atlanta Falcons signed him to the richest rookie contract in league history.
Vick received a $62 million, six-year deal that guarantees $15.3 million through the first three years, including a signing bonus of $3 million.
Pharms pleadsinnocent
SEATTLE -- Cleveland Browns draft pick Jeremiah Pharms pleaded innocent to a first-degree robbery charge in the pistol-whipping and shooting of an accused drug-dealer.
Vindicator staff/wire reports