Tuesday, January 27, 2004
Thiel: Sophomore wrestler Aaron Gibbs, a graduate of Canon-McMillan High, ran his record to a perfect 10-0 after posting four wins last week, including three by pin, and was selected as the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) wrestler of the week. He earned a 7-4 decision over West Liberty's Tom Clark and recorded pins in each of his three wins at the Waynesburg College Alumni Duals, defeating RIT's Gus Mancini (1:09) at 174 pounds before beating Muskingum's Richie Minner (1:15) and Kutztown's Nick Detweiler (0:56) at 165 pounds. The Tomcats will compete in the Eastern Ohio College Duals Sunday at Mount Union.
Waynesburg: Three Youngstown-area student-athletes were selected to the Fall 2003 PAC Academic Honor Roll. They were Katherine Cannon and Sara Linger, both from Beaver Local High, and Carly Logan from Mohawk. The recognition is for student-athletes who have earned a grade-point average of 3.6 or better. Cannon, a sophomore member of the women's tennis team, is majoring in marine biology and chemistry. Linger, a senior on the women's cross country team, is majoring in biology. Logan, a sophomore on the women's cross country team, is majoring in criminal justice.
Westminster (women's soccer): Five Youngstown-area women -- Sharon Griffin, sisters Megan Chovan and Michelle Chovan, Angie DePascale and Christa Andamasaris -- were awarded letters. Griffin, a senior from Canfield High, won her fourth letter as did the Chovan sisters, both seniors from Hubbard. DePascale, a junior from Howland, won her third letter while Andamasaris, a freshman from Champion, earned her first letter. The Titans posted a 16-7 record, won their second straight PAC championship and qualified for the NCAA Division III national tournament.
(men's soccer): Three Youngstown-area players were awarded letters. Recognized by coach Girish Thakar were brothers Chris Castillo, a junior, and Alex Castillo, a freshman, both from Austintown Fitch High; and Zach Hudson, a senior from Newton Falls High. Westminster posted a 9-10-2 record and placed third in the PAC.
(women's tennis): Daniella DiRupo, a senior from Hickory High, was awarded her fourth letter. DiRupo posted a 2-1 record in singles play last season to help the Titans to a 7-5 record for their fourth consecutive winning campaign. They were 3-2 in the PAC.
(women's basketball): Desiree Sterling, a 5-foot-8 freshman guard from Newton Falls High, was named PAC player of the week. Sterling was the leading scorer in wins over Grove City (53-49) and Waynesburg (58-46), that gave the Titans a tie for first place in the PAC with Bethany at 3-0. She averaged 16 points and 7 rebounds for the two games, getting 17 points and nine rebounds against Grove City, and 15 points and five rebounds against Waynesburg. Sterling leads the team in field-goal percentage (46.3 on 62-for-134) and 3-point goals (18 for 1.1 a game), and is second in scoring average at 11.5. Westminster (10-6), coached by Rosanne Scott, a native of Struthers, travels to Washington & amp; Jefferson, the defending PAC champion, Wednesday at 6 p.m., and is home to Bethany Saturday at 1 p.m.
(swimming): The women's team is ranked No. 10 and the men's team is No. 8 in the first NCAA Division III poll released by Collegeswimming.com. The men's team, helped by Boardman High graduates Kevin Gesacion and Lee Knight, have a 6-1 record while the women are 5-2. Both teams are 2-0 in the PAC. Gesacion, a junior freestyle specialist, was a member of the winning 400 freestyle relay team that clocked 3:23.51 in a 117-86 win over Washington & amp; Jefferson Jan. 20. He also joined with Knight to help the Titans achieve their 300th all-time dual-meet victory Jan. 16 over Allegheny, 108-73. The pair were members of the winning 200 medley relay in 1:42.09.
-- Vindicator staff reports