AREA COLLEGE ROUNDUP | News and notes

Wake Forest
Steve Vallos, a junior offensive tackle for Wake Forest University from Boardman High, has been named to the Rotary Lombardi Watch List. The Rotary Lombardi Award has been given to college football's top lineman since 1970. Vallos also has been selected to the All-Atlantic Coast Conference preseason first team by the ACC Sports Media Association and Lindy's Magazine. Last year as a sophomore, Vallos started all 11 games for Wake Forest and made the ACC Sports Media Association second team and the Rivals All-ACC first team. The versatile lineman, who played every position on the offensive line except center, led Wake Forest in blocking grade with 87 percent and knockdown blocks with 144 -- 43 more than any other lineman on the team. In 10 of the 11 games, he had a blocking grade average of 85 percent or better, while the team average was 83 percent.
Ohio Northern
Derek Garrod, a junior running back for the Ohio Northern University football team from Columbiana High, is one of the top holdovers on the team this season. Garrod was ONU's second-leading rusher last year with 490 net yards in 114 carries for a 4.3-yard average and three TDs. He also caught seven passes for 125 yards and one TD. Four other Youngstown-area players are on the ONU team: Craig Bates (West Branch), a senior defensive tackle; Chase Axelson (Canfield), a junior wide receiver; Richard Cahalin (Newton Falls), a freshman running back; and Bryan Markle (Warren JFK), a freshman linebacker.
Dana Pitzulo and Regina Bresson, both from Canfield High, and Rachelle Pavelko from Poland are members of the Ohio Northern women's cross country team. Pitzulo, a junior, and Bresson, a freshman, are majoring in pharmacy, while Pavelko, a freshman, is majoring in biology.
The Citadel
Joshua Moffie (Cardinal Mooney) has made The Citadel football team as a walk-on. Moffie played middle linebacker and blocking back for Mooney last season, helping the Cardinals to win a state championship. Moffie credited the quality of coaching and players at Mooney for helping to prepare him to make The Citadel team.
Elon
Kiki Willis (Cardinal Mooney), a freshman on the Elon University soccer team, recently was named one of the 100 Freshmen to Keep an Eye On in 2005 by College Soccer News. Willis, who set an Ohio record at Mooney by scoring 176 career goals, is the first Elon player to be named to the top-freshman list. He was one of only two Southern Conference freshmen to make the list. While at Mooney, Willis also had 55 career assists and was a four-time All-Ohio first-team pick. He also was a three-time NCSAA/Adidas All-American while also being named to Parade and EA Sports All-American teams. He was selected NCSAA/Adidas State Player of the Year and Mr. Soccer Ohio in 2004. Willis dominated the Youngstown-area soccer scene while at Mooney. He made the All-Steel Valley Conference and All-Mahoning County teams four times, while also being a four-time District Player of the Year and a two-time Division II Player of the Year. He helped Mooney to win the 2002 Division II Ohio championship and to take runner-up in 2004.
Westminster
The Westminster College volleyball team has six Youngstown-area players on the roster who are expected to help the Titans make a strong run for the Presidents' Athletic Conference championship this season. The team's top holdover is senior outside hitter Erin Hinks (Mineral Ridge), who helped lead the Titans to a 20-13 record last season, including 7-3 in the PAC for second place under coach Tammy Swearingen. Hinks, a two-time All-PAC selection, led Westminster in kills while ranking among the PAC leaders in that category. Hinks' sister, Jenna Hinks (Mineral Ridge), a sophomore outside hitter, is a holdover on the team after seeing limited duty last year. Also back are Katie McDermott, a junior middle hitter from Austintown Fitch, and Rachael Cooper, a junior setter and outside hitter from Laurel High. Both are two-time All-PAC selections. McDermott led the Titans in total blocks with 106 last season while Cooper led the team in assists per game (5.39) and service aces (62). Cooper was the PAC Freshman of the Year in 2003. Cooper's sister, Jessica Cooper, is expected to see more playing time this year as a sophomore. Last year as a freshman, she had 59 kills and 23 blocks. Diana Conzett (Hubbard) is another sophomore returnee looking for more playing time this year as outside hitter. And another Hubbard graduate, Kylene Hoch, is promising freshman recruit at middle hitter. Swearingen, who has nine 20-win seasons at Westminster, is entering her 13th year at the helm.
Baldwin Wallace
Lindsay Brickner (Lisbon) and Cassandra Turic (Poland) are members of the Baldwin-Wallace College cross country team this season. Brickner's best times last year were 20:52 in the 6-kilometer Mel Brodt Invitational and 24:51 for the 6-kilometer Otterbein Invitational. Brickner is the daughter of Fred and Valerie Brickner and is majoring in special education. Turic is the daughter of Alaci and Harry Turic.