LOCAL

LOCAL
Phantoms' Ringelto represent USA
BOARDMAN -- Mahoning Valley Phantoms defenseman Eric Ringel has been selected to represent Team USA at the Four Nations Cup in Ann Arbor, Mich. from Friday through Tuesday.
The round robin format includes the best players, ages 17 and under, from the United States, Sweden, Finland and Germany. The U.S. National Under-17 team of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) will represent the red, white, and blue as the defending tournament champions.
"It is truly an honor to represent my country," Ringel said. "After last Saturday's game in Marquette [Mich.], Coach [Bob] Mainhardt told me I was chosen to play in the Four Nations. It was a nice Christmas present."
Ringel, a native of Hinckley, Ohio, is a senior at South Range High School. In 35 games with the Phantoms, he has seven goals and seven assists for 14 points. His seven goals are tied for third among all defensemen in the NAHL.
"Eric is an incredibly bright young man," Mainhardt said. "He is a talented prospect and will proudly represent the Phantoms and the National Team over the next week."
Area officialswork finals
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Youngstown area was well-represented by area officials in the recent Ohio high school football playoffs.
Eight area officials worked in either the semifinals or finals of the recent tournament. They include John Vicarel, John Direnzo, Jim Gahagan, Tony Montana, John Patton, Larry Griffiths, Pat Montana and Eric Marino.
Bowling tournament
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Greater Youngstown Bowling Association is accepting entries for its 75th annual city bowling tournament, which runs Jan. 19-28.
The team championships will again include two divisions: upper (1,000 average and higher) and lower (999 average and below). The ranges for the doubles event are 400-up and 399-under, while singles and all-events are divided into 200-up and 199-under.
Entry fee is 17 per event per bowler with all-events 2 optional.
Forms may be obtained at all area centers or by calling the GYBA at 758-8367.
Entries close Jan. 12.
Area ace
SALEM -- Terry Kellison made a hole-in-one recently at the Salem Hills Golf and Country Club.
He aced the No. 13 hole using a 6-iron. It was his fifth career hole-in-one.
Witnessing the shot were Roger Zeigler and Bob Helmick.
Injury prevention
BOARDMAN -- The Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross is offering a sports injury prevention course from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at 8392 Tod Ave. This is a four-hour class that meets all requirements set by the State of Ohio Dept. of Education for 38. CPR is a pre-requisite for this course that is open to all coaches, parents, trainers, etc. For details, call (330) 726-6063.
REGION
All-PennsylvaniaClass AA team
Wilmington junior kicker Nick Riggall was named first team all-Pennsylvania in Class AA, while teammates Lou Campbell, a junior defensive lineman, and Chris Burns, a junior defensive back, made the second team lead The Associated Press Class AA all-state team.
Statewide, Wilson's D.J. Lenehan and Jeannette's Terrelle Pryor stood above the competition throughout the Pennsylvania high school football season on their way to a head-to-head meeting in the PIAA Class AA championship game.
After playing in one of the most competitive AA title games since the playoffs began in 1988, it's no surprise that Lenehan and Pryor lead the team.
Lenehan is the first-team quarterback and the player of the year after leading his team to the state championship. Pryor, who did a bit of everything, made the first team as a specialist and was runner-up to Lenehan for player of the year.
Also, Wilson's Bret Comp is the AA coach of the year. The team was selected through a statewide ballot of sports writers and broadcasters.
A first-team offensive specialist when he guided the Warriors to the PIAA final as a junior in 2005, Lenehan came back even better as a senior. He completed 183 of 340 passes for 3,057 yards, 32 touchdowns and nine interceptions as Wilson went 16-0.
Lenehan finished a four-year varsity career with 71 touchdown passes and 7,765 yards, the second-best yardage total in state history to Downingtown East's Pat Devlin (8,162 yards).
Losing the 2005 championship game "became our driving force for this season, and we put in a lot of hard work to get back there and win," Lenehan said. "I just wanted to improve my turnover ratio. Last year, I think I threw 14 interceptions. This year, I wanted to cut it in half."
Vindicator staff/wire reports