YSU

YSU
Thiessen, DiMaurogain academic honor
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State senior free safety Scott Thiessen was named a CoSIDA Academic All-District IV First-Team selection and senior fullback Chris DiMauro was a second-team pick on Friday by the College Sports Information Directors of America.
Thiessen, who owns a 3.59 grade-point average in special education, is third on the team in tackles with 73 and is tied for the team lead in interceptions with three.
He has started all 11 games for the Penguins and has had impressive numbers of late, recording 30 tackles in the past three games. Three times this year he has finished with 11 tackles in a game -- at Southern Illinois, vs. Illinois State and at Kent State.
He is YSU's first first-team academic all-district honoree since punter Anthony Rozzo and offensive tackle Shawn Billker in 1999.
DiMauro, who owns a 3.30 grade-point average in integrated language arts, has been a key member of the backfield the past two seasons. This year, he has caught 10 passes for 68 yards and rushed for 24 yards and a score.
First-team members from the eight CoSIDA districts are now eligible to become a CoSIDA Academic All-American. The All-America team will be announced on Dec. 1.
District IV covers the states of Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky and Tennessee.
Basketball scrimmage
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Youngstown State women's basketball team will host a scrimmage against Duquesne today at 11 a.m. in the Beeghly Center. The scrimmage, set prior to the YSU-Western Kentucky football game, is open to the public.
Penguins to competein Team Challenge
YOUNGSTOWN -- Members of the Youngstown State women's basketball, women's golf, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, women's tennis and volleyball programs will compete in the First Annual Team Challenge on Sunday at 2 p.m. in Stambaugh Stadium.
The student-athletes will compete in six events comprised of maximum bench press, a stability ball human chain, plank hold, the farmer's walk, tug of war, and a balloon hunt relay.
The competition is being conducted by YSU's strength and conditioning staff of Todd Burkey, Liz Vlad, Stephanie Kaster and Stacie Lemke.
Volleyball teamfalls to Cleveland St.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Cleveland State University turned back Youngstown State 30-21, 30-17, 25-30, 30-26 in a Horizon League volleyball match Friday at Beeghly Center.
Senior Colleen Royer paced the Penguins (10-18, 1-13) with 15 kills and 12 digs. Lori Lyman added 13 kills.
Jenna Maddocks led the Vikings (17-15, 4-10) with 19 kills.
LOCAL
Wellsville's Burnsto sign with Kent St.
WELLSVILLE -- Wellsville High School senior softball player Gabrielle Burns will sign a letter of intent to attend Kent State next fall.
A pitcher and utility player for the Tigers, she carries a 3.75 grade-point average.
Burns has started for for the Tigers for four years -- two as been a varsity pitcher.
During her junior season (2003), she had 304 strikeouts in 146 innings, an average of 15 per game. She had an ERA of 0.96 while throwing four no-hitters. As a sophomore, Burns had 182 strikeouts.
She also plays first base, and carried a team-leading .354 batting avg. last season.
Wellsville coach Jim Burns started the softball program six years ago and his team posted its first-ever winning season (12-11) last year.
Last year, Gabrielle was a first-team Eastern District softball selection and honorable mention All-Ohio.
Roseum honoredat Grove City
GROVE CITY, Pa. -- Grove City College senior football player Dan Roseum earned first team Verizon/CoSIDA Academic All-District II College honors for the second straight year.
He started all 10 games at cornerback and collected three interceptions, seven pass breakups and 37 tackles.
A four-year letterwinner, he started his final three seasons.
Thiel's Napotnikcaptures award
GREENVILLE, Pa. -- Thiel College senior tailback Justin Napotnik, a graduate of Sharpsville High School, earned second team CoSIDA Academic All-District II College honors.
He has a perfect 4.00 grade-point average.
Napotnik is ranked third in career carries (456) and fourth in career rushing yardage (1,963) at Thiel.
With one game remaining, he leads the team with 505 yards this season.
REGION
Globetrotters' tourto stop in Cleveland
CLEVELAND -- The Harlem Globetrotters return to Gund Arena on Dec. 27 when they bring their 2004 North American tour to Cleveland.
Ticket prices are $40, $22, $17, $12 with VIP Magic Circle seating available.
Tickets can be purchased at the Gund Arena box office and all Ticketmaster locations or by calling Ticketmaster charge-by-phone at (330) 747-1212 (Youngstown).
Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com.
NATION
Fire win in OT
CHICAGO -- Chris Armas scored in overtime as the Chicago Fire defeated the New England Revolution 1-0 Friday night to win the Eastern Conference championship of them MLS.
Vindicator staff/wire reports