LOCAL
LOCAL
DiVito runsfor Heidelberg
TIFFIN -- Heidelberg College junior Tom DiVito, a Boardman native, placed 18th out of 27 runners at the All-Ohio Intercollegiate cross country championships at Ohio Wesleyan University.
His time of 28 minutes, 6.2 seconds helped Heidelberg finish 13th of 20 teams.
Champion tour
CHAMPION -- The community is invited to tour the Champion High field house Oct. 28 at 6:30 p.m.
The Champion administrators will be present to showcase the facility, which includes new locker rooms and fitness area.
The track is open to the community seven days a week.
Junior footballplayoff winners
NEW WATERFORD -- Columbiana and Western Reserve won playoff games in both divisions and will play for championships in the Mahoning Valley Jr. Football League.
In games played at Crestview High, Western Reserve defeated Crestview 14-12 and Columbiana defeated Springfield 20-0, in junior varsity games.
In varsity games, Columbiana defeated Lowellville 8-6 and Western Reserve defeated Crestview 26-12.
The championship games will be played at Sebring High Saturday, beginning at 6 p.m. with the junior varsity game. At halftime of both games will be cheerleading competition.
Phantoms' streak ends with loss
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- The Youngstown Phantoms' six-game winning streak was ended Thursday night with a 3-2 loss in overtime to the Springfield (Mo.) Spirit, during the second day of the Twins Cities Showcase.
Springfield won the game when Adam Smith beat Youngstown goaltender Tyler Sims at 1:57 of the extra period.
Youngstown (6-2-1) sent the game into overtime on a goal by defenseman Kyle Richardson with 1:26 remaining in regulation after the Phantoms pulled Sims in favor of an extra attacker.
Springfield led 1-0 after the first period, but a second-period goal by Youngstown defenseman Charley Fetzer tied the score.
The Phantoms out-shot the Spirit, 46-23.
Youngstown was scheduled to play the Fernie Ghostriders today at 4 p.m. and the Bozeman Icedogs Saturday at 8:30 a.m.
Bowling forms
BOARDMAN -- The Youngstown Bowling Association has entry forms available for the Masters Tournament.
The event is co-sponsored by Bell-Wick Bowl, Amron Lanes, A-Plus Family Bowl and Wedgewood Lanes.
Top prize is $1,000 (based on 60 entries). The tournament starts Nov. 7 at Bell-Wick, continues Nov. 8 at Amron and A-Plus and concludes Nov. 9 at Wedgewood.
Entries, costing $60, close Nov. 5. Call (330) 758-8367 or (330) 545-6217.
NATION
Baseball notes
* HOUSTON -- Astros general manager Gerry Hunsicker signed a one-year contract extension to remain with the team through the 2005 season, ending his candidacy for the same job with the New York Mets.
* LOS ANGELES -- Three former major league baseball players filed a class-action lawsuit against the league, it's 30 teams and commissioner Bud Selig, claiming they were wrongfully denied pension and medical benefits and discriminated against because they were white.
The lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court named Richard Moran, Ernie Fazio, and Mike Colbern as the three principle plaintiffs. More than 1,000 other players are proposed members of the class.
New steroid probe
Several track athletes tested positive for a steroid that until recently was undetectable and now face suspensions that could bar them from the 2004 Athens Olympics, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency said.
USADA chief executive officer Terry Madden called it a widespread "conspiracy" involving chemists, coaches and athletes that was brought to the agency's attention by an anonymous tip. He said the inquiry began in June. He refused to give details about the athletes or say how many tested positive for the steroid, known as tetrahydrogestrinone, or THG.
Romanowski sued
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Oakland Raiders linebacker Bill Romanowski was sued by teammate Marcus Williams, who was seriously injured when they fought during practice.
Romanowski instigated the fight Aug. 24 when he ripped off Williams' helmet and punched him in the face, breaking a bone around his left eye. The fracture put Williams on injured reserve, ending his season before it began.
Breeders Cup field
The $4 million Breeders' Cup Classic will feature Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Funny Cide taking on anywhere from eight to 13 rivals. A full field of 14 was pre-entered, but five horses are cross-entered in other races and may not end up running in the 1 1/4-mile Classic at Santa Antia on Oct. 25. Official entries will be taken Wednesday, when owners declare which race their horses will run. Medaglia d'Oro, runner-up last year, was the early 4-1 favorite, with Funny Cide a co-sixth choice at 12-1.
Vindicator staff/wire reports