LOCAL

LOCAL
Boardman's Knightchooses Westminster
NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. -- Boardman High swimming standout Lee Knight will continue his career at Westminster College.
A freestyle/backstroke specialist, Knight was a four-time All-Ohio swimmer and three-time state qualifier while posting an All-American consideration cut time at Boardman.
Knight will be following the path of his mother and father, Melinda and Chris Knight, and grandfather, Chet Claire, all of whom graduated from Westminster.
Poland's Sacullabecomes a Titan
NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. -- Poland High football standout Marc Saculla will continue his career at Westminster College.
The 5-foot-10, 250-pound center/defensive tackle earned two letters at Poland and was named Offensive Lineman of the Year as a senior.
Spartans' Palmachooses Mt. Union
ALLIANCE -- Boardman High School football standout Rob Palma will continue his career at Mount Union College.
The Youngstown native, winner of two letters at Boardman as a punter and kicker, will enter his first season playing for a Raider team having won a current NCAA-best 42 consecutive games.
Scrappers to holdMilitary Day
NILES -- The Mahoning Valley Scrappers' game tonight at 7 against Lowell is Military Day, sponsored by WNIO.
In order to honor local individuals involved with the military, several special events are planned.
There are free game tickets available for military personnel and their families. To take advantage of the free tickets, fans are asked to show military identification.
The event will conclude with a fireworks show.
Sharon Speedwayruns tonight
HARTFORD -- Drivers in Sharon Speedway's four divisions will be back in action at 7 tonight.
Participants in the Sunburst Environmental Sprints, Gibson-Governor Insurance Modifieds, Coy Brothers Trucking E-mods and City Disposal Services Pure Stocks divisions will return to the 3/8-mile oval during Truck World Globe Restaurant Night. Gates open at 4 p.m., with hot tracks beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Prior to the on-track activity, young race fans will have a chance to strike it rich during Sharon Goldrush. Kids ages 3-10 will be allowed to collect as many pennies, nickels and dimes off a tarp as they can within a set amount of time.
Valley Playerscommand the court
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Valley Players seventh grade basketball team racked up a 26-6 record while participating in five upper-level tournaments throughout Northern Ohio this past spring.
The team, consisting of 11 players from the Mahoning Valley, won its four-team pool in each tournament to advance to the playoff rounds and record three third-place finishes.
Kimbrough highlightsMountaineer cards
CHESTER, W.Va. -- Amateur boxing superstar Verquan Kimbrough will make his professional debut July 31 at Mountaineer Race Track & amp; Gaming Resort.
The Aliquippa native headlines a seven-fight card against a yet-to-be-named opponent. The fight marks the first of 12 events slated over the next 24 months featuring Kimbrough.
Kimbrough, four-time amateur national champion, leaves the amateur ranks with a 125-12 record.
REGION
Altoona routs Aeros
ALTOONA, Pa. -- Kevin Nicholson went 3-for-5 with four RBIs including a key three-run double as the Altoona Curve beat the Akron Aeros 9-2 Friday night.
Altoona got an RBI triple from Chan Perry in the first, then scored six runs in the second for a 7-0 lead.
NATION
U.S. looks ahead to Gold Cup match
FOXBORO, Mass. -- The U.S. national team opens defense of its CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer championship with an eye to the future -- and hopes it can make fans forget the recent past.
The United States, which managed only one goal in a two-loss, one-tie performance at the Confederations Cup in France last month, plays El Salvador on Saturday at Gillette Stadium.
In the Gold Cup, the U.S. team goes against some of the squads it could see in qualifying rounds for the 2006 World Cup in Germany. American players will also be out to impress coach Bruce Arena.
Vindicator staff/wire reports