LOCAL

LOCAL
Struthers' Eagoninks at Shawnee St.
STRUTHERS -- Struthers High School cross-country standout, Candice Eagon, has signed a letter of intent to run at Shawnee State University.
Eagon was a two-time all-conference selection and twice qualified for the regional meet during her career.
"I chose Shawnee State for a variety of reasons," said Eagon. "I wanted to go to a small school where I could continue my running career, and I loved the student housing and the campus atmosphere.
"Hopefully, I can improve my best time [20:07] while there and help the team win some meet championships."
Shawnee State coach Larry Mangus said Eagon will be a valuable addition to the team.
"Her high school times would put her near the top of our all-time best women's cross country records," he said. "She is a committed runner. She thrives on competition. She is an outstanding student, as well."
Shawnee State returns five freshmen, two sophomores and one junior from a squad that won two meet championships and posted several of the top times ever at the school.
"Candice is an important piece of the puzzle for our program," said Mangus. "With the nucleus we have in place, and the new runners coming in, the future looks bright for women's cross country at Shawnee State."
REGION
Ohio State's winhas fiscal effects
TEMPE, Ariz. -- Ever since Ohio State clinched a spot in the Fiesta Bowl, hotels and airlines have been seeing green.
Shortly after Ohio State secured the spot Saturday for this year's college football national championship game at Sun Devil Stadium, hotel rooms started filling up and flights were snapped up. No seats are available on any Southwest Airlines flight from Phoenix to Columbus on Jan. 5.
Organizers predict a $142 million boon to the local economy from an influx of football fans regardless of the matchup, said Shawn Schoeffler, Fiesta Bowl spokesman. Ohio State's opponent has yet to be determined.
Schoeffler has been fielding thousands of ticket requests, although there are none left.
Men chargedin ticket scam
COLUMBUS -- Two Philadelphia men have been charged with selling counterfeit tickets to last weekend's Ohio State-Michigan football game.
Police found Nogomo Ransome, 26, and Rakee Russ, 24, with 44 counterfeit tickets to the game, said Ohio State University police Chief Ron Michalec. The two were charged with trademark counterfeiting and ticket simulation, Michalec said Wednesday.
About 60 people who had fallen victim to scalpers selling counterfeit tickets or who perhaps had gotten in on fake tickets they made themselves were ejected from the stadium, police said.
Michalec said a tip from the NFL helped OSU officers apprehend Ransome and Russ. The league had provided OSU police a list of potential names and vehicles used in recent ticket scams.
Neil Berman of Cincinnati said he paid a scalper $800 for four tickets that turned out to be counterfeit.
Berman was the only fan who bought a fake ticket to file a police report Saturday.
"I plan on going to the Fiesta Bowl," he said. "But I'm buying those tickets through a reputable broker."
Gatorade selectsMauk as top QB
CHICAGO -- Ben Mauk, quarterback at Kenton High School, is being recognized by Gatorade Thirst Quencher as the Ohio High School football player of the year.
This year, Mauk completed 390 of 631 passes for 6,228 yards and 72 touchdowns.
He holds national career records for passing yards (17,223) and passing touchdowns (175).
With a 3.9 GPA, Mauk has made a verbal commitment to attend Wake Forest.
Tickets availablefor NEC golf event
AKRON -- The 2003 NEC Invitational golf tournament will return to Firestone Country Club Aug. 19-24 and tickets for the event are now on sale.
The World Golf Championship event is a 72-hole stroke play tournament with no cut and includes 75 to 80 of the greatest players around the world.
Ticket packages are now available and include $45 a daily pass (Thursday through Sunday). Two-day practice round packages are $25 and two-day tournament packages (Saturday and Sunday final rounds) are $80. Championship weekly ticket book is $120.
For more information or to purchase tickets, call (330) 644-2299 or toll free at 1-877-942-4849 or visit the web site at www.worldgolfchampionships.com.
Mount Union's Pughis Gagliardi finalist
ALLIANCE -- Mount Union College senior running back Dan Pugh is one of 10 finalists for the Gagliardi Award, in recognition of Division III's best football player.
Pugh set a Mount Union single-season rushing record of 1,467 yards while setting league and team marks for TDs in a season with 26.
Vindicator staff/wire reports