YSU

YSU
Kent hires Rekstis
KENT -- YSU defensive coordinator Pete Rekstis was hired for the same position at Kent State University, the university announced Friday.
Rekstis, who was hired as the secondary coach in 1999, was defensive coordinator the past three seasons. In Rekstis' five years at YSU, the Penguins intercepted 74 passes, and forced an average of 28 turnovers the past three seasons, with a high of 36 in 2001. Rekstis also coached a pair of I-AA All-America defensive backs in Dwyte Smiley (1999) and LeVar Greene (2001).
Rekstis, 35, was a four-year starter at free safety at YSU from 1987-90. As a senior co-captain in 1990, Rekstis led the Penguins to a perfect 11-0 regular season and a trip to the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs.
LOCAL
Struthers' Hill setfor all-star game
STRUTHERS -- Struthers High senior Jed Hill has been chosen to play in the Florida Classic All-Star football game on Dec. 29 in Crystal Beach, Fla.
A 6-foot, 4-inch 250-pound tight end, Hill was one of 75 players from across the nation to be selected.
Hill's team will be coached by former NFL great O.J. Simpson.
A three-year starter for the Wildcats, Hill caught 29 passes for 402 yards and four touchdowns this past season. He has verbally committed to Penn State.
Wrestling tournament
NORTH JACKSON -- The fifth Leonard Truck and Trailer Wrestling Tournament will be held at Jackson-Milton High gymnasium Jan. 3 at 10:30 a.m.
Schools entered are Alliance, Burton Berkshire, Middlefield Cardinal, Garrettsville Garfield, Girard, Jackson-Milton Liberty, South Range, Warren JFK and Waterloo.
Indians top Phantoms
SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. -- Jason Bain scored with 35 seconds left in overtime to lift the Soo Indians (19-2-5, 43 points) to a 2-1 victory over the Youngstown Phantoms (14-8-7, 35 points) in North American Hockey League action Friday at the Big Bear Arena.
The Indians held a 1-0 lead after two periods on a goal by Drew Satterly that came at the 3:31 mark of the opening period. The Phantoms tied the game in the third period on a power-play goal by Aaron Rhyner, who beat Soo goaltender Derek MacIntyre on a rebound.
Youngstown goaltender Tyler Sims (8-4-5) stopped 40 of 42 shots.
Schedule changes
RAVENNA -- Southeast High has announced changes to its athletic schedule.
On Jan. 10 the Pirates will wrestle at Akron Springfield beginning at noon. On Jan. 30 the Southeast boys basketball team will play Woodridge at Newton Falls High with the JV game beginning at 6 p.m.
Also, Streetsboro will play a boys basketball game at Southeast on Feb. 17, at 6 p.m.
Games postponed
MINERAL RIDGE -- The Mineral Ridge-Lordstown high school girls basketball game scheduled for today at Mineral Ridge has been postponed until Jan. 10 due to the flu. The junior varsity game will start at 2 p.m., with the varsity to follow.
Also, the Southern High boy's basketball game at Lowellville has been rescheduled for Dec. 30 at 6 p.m.
Bucs hold PirateFest
PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Pirates will host "PirateFest 2004" at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center from Feb. 6-8.
The event will include free autograph sessions with members of the Pirates including Jack Wilson, Jason Bay and manager Lloyd McClendon. The Pirates will also commemorate the 25th anniversary of the 1979 World Series Championship with appearances scheduled by Manny Sanguillen, John Candelaria, Chuck Tanner and others.
Hours are 4 to 10 p.m. on Feb. 6, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Feb. 17 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Feb. 8. Tickets are $11 for adults and $7 for kids 12 and under and can be purchased in advance by calling (412) 321-BUCS or 1-800-BUY-BUCS.
Hockey Legends Night
CLEVELAND -- The Cleveland Barons will host "Cleveland Hockey Legends Night" at 7 p.m. tonight at Gund Arena against the Rochester Americans.
Jock Callander, Fred Glover, and Dave Michayluk will be inducted into the inaugural class of the "Cleveland Hockey Legends Ring of Honor."
NATION
No penalty for usingClarett jersey
GRAMBLING, La. -- The NCAA has decided not to penalize Grambling State for football coach Doug Williams holding up a jersey with the number of suspended Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett, school officials said.
Instead, Grambling will be required to give updated training on NCAA recruiting policies and the standards for indirect contact with an athlete, GSU athletic Director Al Dennis said.
In August, Williams held up a Grambling jersey with Clarett's number -- which was shown nationally on ESPN -- after Clarett had been suspended.
Pirates sign Beimel
PITTSBURGH -- Left-hander Joe Beimel agreed to a $535,000, one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday, avoiding salary arbitration.
Mourning has surgery
NEW YORK -- Former All-Star center Alonzo Mourning underwent kidney transplant surgery Friday and was listed in good condition, hospital officials said.
Vindicator staff/wire reports