AREA

AREA
Croatian Tenpintournament set
AUSTINTOWN -- The Croation Fraternal Union of America's 68th annual Tenpin National Bowling Tournament is scheduled for May 17-19 at Wedgewood Lanes.
Last year's tournament in Detroit drew 60 teams, 100 doubles and 200 singles entries. The tournament has run since 1934.
The CFU has between 70,000 to 100,000 members throughout the U.S., Canada and Croatia.
Conklin nets20 for Huskers
AMES, Iowa -- Brian Conklin, a former Hubbard High basketball standout, scored a team-high 20 points in Nebraska's 85-79 loss to Iowa State Saturday.
Conklin made six of 11 goals and two of two free throws. His total included six of 10 from behind the 3-point arc. Nebraska was 14 of 35 from 3-point range. The Cornhuskers fell below .500 at 11-12. Iowa State is 11-15.
Thiel winswrestling crown
WAYNESBURG, Pa. -- Thiel College captured its third straight Presidents' Athletic Conference wrestling championship and 11th title in the past 13 years by winning a triangular meet Thursday.
The Tomcats, guided by first-year coach Jerry Tennant, compiled 125 points to outdistance Washington & amp; Jefferson (94) and Waynesburg (68.5),
Tennant was named PAC Coach of the Year.
Thiel's next outing will be in the NCAA Midwest Regional Qualifier Saturday at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Ind.
Pintaric winsclub honor
LIBERTY -- Bill Pintaric Jr. received the national driver of the year award from the Mahoning Valley Region of the Sports Car Club of America, during the organization's annual awards banquet.
Pintaric was cited by the MVRSCCA for his performance at the Valvoline Runoff and his win in the Kryderacing regional championship held at Nelson Ledges Road Course.
It marked Pintaric's third regional championship since 1997.
Several other area drivers also were honored by the MVRSCCA.
Constantine Gheorghe of Canfield was named rookie driver of the year for his No. 2 finish in the Kryderacing Regional Championship in formula continental.
Brad Barnhouse was regional driver of the year for fifth place in improved touring Class at the Kryderacing series.
Doug and Pat Kiser of Liberty won the Grover Griggs Award for outstanding service to the Mahoning Valley Region. The Kisers have served the region in a variety of roles, including trustee, secretary and equipment manager. They have performed most of the specialty jobs at Nelson Ledges Road Course.
REGION
Spadaforabout set March 9
PITTSBURGH -- Paul Spadafora and Angel Manfredy square off in a co-feature on March 9 at the A.J. Palumbo Center on the campus of Duquesne University.
Spadafora is the IBF lightweight champion.
Mike Acri Promotions announced the bout which is billed with the Juan Manual Marquez-Robbie Peden featherweight battle. Marquez, from Mexico City, is 37-2 and second-ranked by the WBC and WBO. Peden (20-1) is from Australia. The winner will be declared the IBF's No. 1 contender.
Tickets range from $25 for general admission to $200 for golden ringside. Tickets may be purchased at Kaufmann's and select Giant Eagle stores or by phone from Ticketmaster (412) 323-1919 or Three Rivers Boxing (412) 355-0770.
Cavaliersactivate Hill
CLEVELAND -- The Cleveland Cavaliers activated forward Tyrone Hill Saturday and placed forward-center Brian Skinner on the injured list with neck spasms.
Hill missed the first 50 games of the season because of back spasms. The 11-year veteran was acquired from Philadelphia in August. He previously played for Cleveland from 1993-1997 and was a member of the 1995 Eastern Conference All-Star team.
Hill, who was activated for Saturday's game against Chicago, has averaged 9.8 points and 8.7 rebounds in 714 career games.
Skinner averaged 3.5 points and 4.7 rebounds in 46 games this season. He had a season high of 11 points against Minnesota on Jan. 29.
NATION
Somber Padresmourn Darr
PEORIA, Ariz. -- Mike Darr's locker was left untouched Saturday, one day after the San Diego Padres outfielder was killed in a car crash.
"His spirit is still here," said reliever Tom Davey, one of Darr's closest friends on the team. "You can still think of Mike. And when you do, he puts a smile on your face. To look over at his locker right now and know he's not going to walk through this door ... it's crazy."
Darr's death cast a pall over the Padres' camp Saturday, as the usual declarations of optimism and excitement about the coming season gave way to grief.
Darr, 25, was killed Friday when the SUV he was driving rolled over on a highway about five miles from the team's training complex.
"Right now, everybody's thoughts are of Mike," Padres manager Bruce Bochy said. "That's what we're talking about. We'll all go to the funeral and show our respects. At some point, we will get prepared for the season. This has stunned us all."
Darr's friend, Duane Johnson, also was killed. Neither was wearing a seat belt, authorities said, and the accident appeared to be alcohol-related.
Copter crashkills two
NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. -- Two people died in a helicopter crash Saturday while on the way to pick up NASCAR team owner and former Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs.
Volusia County Sheriff officials tentatively identified the victims as pilot Michael McNellis of Tampa and Robin Leedom of Las Vegas. Officials were waiting on autopsy results and dental records checks to confirm the identity of the victims.
Volusia County authorities were first notified the Bell 206 Long Ranger helicopter had not reached its destination around 8 a.m. Saturday, sheriff's spokesman Gary Davidson said.
A sheriff's helicopter then spotted the wreckage in a remote swampy area about 15 miles south of Daytona Beach, Davidson said.
Tapani retires
ESCANABA, Mich. -- For Kevin Tapani, 13 years in the big leagues was long enough.
The 37-year-old pitcher, who got off to a great start with the Chicago Cubs last season before fading down the stretch, is retiring, the Daily Press of Escanaba reported Saturday.
Staff/wire reports