LOCAL
LOCAL
Fred Weidenthalawarded scholarship
COLUMBUS -- The Ohio High School Football Coaches Association awarded Fitch High senior Fred Weidenthal as a scholarship recipient for the 2005 school year. Weidenthal was one of 122 Ohio seniors to receive the honor.
The association awards scholarships to graduating students who have excelled in academics and school-related activities. Students are nominated by high school football coaches.
Sharon Speedway
HARTFORD -- Sharon Speedway will host racing in its five divisions Saturday.
In addition to conducting the special Froggy 95 Father's Day 500 during intermission, Froggy 95 (WWGY-FM) will help Sharon Speedway pay tribute to all the dads in the stands with games and prizes for the entire family. One fan will win the grand prize of tickets to the Pennsylvania 500 NASCAR Nextel Cup race at Pocono Raceway on July 24.
Sharon Speedway also will honor Boy Scouts. Those in uniform will be admitted free.
Tickets for Saturday's show, available at the gate, are $10 for adults (16 and older), $5 for kids (12-15) and free for children 11 and under. Pit passes are $22. Gates open at 4 p.m., and racing starts at 6 p.m. Fans can call (330) 772-5481 or visit www.sharonspeedway.com for more information and directions.
REGION
Prep football player dies after practice
PICKERINGTON -- A high school football player collapsed after running sprints at conditioning practice in hot weather and died later at a hospital, the principal said Tuesday.
Officials at Pickerington Central High School did not know of any medical conditions that Kwame Afriyie had, Principal Chuck Kemper said.
Before the 16-year-old collapsed Monday, his legs were wobbly as he walked to a water table and complained he didn't feel well, Kemper said. He died later in the day at Children's Hospital in Columbus.
He earlier had lifted weights in practice at the school in suburban Columbus, Kemper said. The temperature was about 84 degrees Monday.
Children's Hospital was performing an autopsy Tuesday but would not release information, citing privacy concerns. The Franklin County coroner's office said the hospital did the autopsy because there was no reason to suspect anything but natural causes.
NATION
Bears waive Krenzel
CHICAGO -- Craig Krenzel was waived by the Chicago Bears Tuesday, seven months after becoming the first Bears quarterback in nearly 40 years to start his career with three straight victories.
Krenzel, a fifth-round pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, appeared in six games last year, starting five, and compiled a 3-2 record. On Oct. 31, he led the Bears to a 23-13 win over the San Francisco 49ers, and followed that effort by helping guide the Bears to consecutive victories over the New York Giants and the Tennessee Titans.
He injured his ankle against the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day and his season ended when he was placed on the injured reserve Dec. 7. Overall last year, Krenzel completed 59 of 127 passes for 718 yards. He threw three touchdowns and six interceptions.
He was a two-year starter at Ohio State, leading the Buckeyes to a 14-0 record and the national championship in 2002.
Wie qualifies for U.S. Amateur Public Links
BELLE VERNON, Pa. -- Michelle Wie became the first female player to qualify for an adult male U.S. Golf Association championship Tuesday, tying for first place in a 36-hole U.S. Amateur Public Links sectional qualifying tournament.
The 15-year-old from Hawaii, second Sunday in the LPGA Championship in Maryland, matched Artie Fink Jr. of Altoona, Pa., at 1-over 145 on the Cedarbrook Golf Course. Wie opened with a 1-under 71 and shot a 74 in the rain-delayed second round.
Wie and Fink earned the only two spots available in the 85-player qualifier for the July 11-16 tournament at Shaker Run Golf Club in Lebanon, Ohio. The Public Links winner has traditionally received a spot in the Masters.
Wie will play in the U.S. Women's Open next week in Colorado, and has received an exemption into the Women's British Open in late July.
Florida St. QBhospitalized
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Suspended Florida State quarterback Wyatt Sexton was doused by pepper spray and taken to a hospital by police after he was found lying in the street and identifying himself as God.
Sexton was hospitalized Monday night. A school official said Tuesday he was still under medical care at an undisclosed location. Sexton had not been charged with any crime.
Vindicator staff/wire reports