YSU Sports digest

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Football

YOUNGSTOWN — Hubbard senior Marc Kanetsky will attend YSU as a preferred walk-on at quarterback with a full-ride academically.

Kanetsky, a 4.0 student who will be Hubbard’s valedictorian, was named a Leslie H. Cohran University Scholar, the school’s highest honor.

Kanetsky holds virtually every season and career passing record at Hubbard, including career yards (5,042) and career touchdowns (47). He threw for 2,288 yards and 25 TDs last season for the Eagles, leading them to playoff appearances the past two seasons.

He was first team all-conference in football and baseball and second team all-conference in basketball, where he holds season and career assist records. He was also honorable mention All-Ohio in football the past two seasons.

Attendance award

CANFIELD — YSU is one of 32 winners in the NCAA Div. I “Pack the House” Challenge.

Colleges and universities urged fans across the country to “Pack the House” for selected women’s basketball games from January 1 through February 17.

YSU hosted its event during the women’s basketball game against Detroit on Jan. 19.

There were 2,567 fans attending the Beeghly Center game.

The Penguins received a $500 award from the NCAA that is being donated to the Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way.

Women’s golf

MUNDELEIN, ILL — The YSU women’s golf team is in first place by one stroke after the first round of the Loyola Caputo Invitational meet.

Penguin freshman Katie Rogner is atop the leader board after carding a first-round 76.

Two spots back in third place is senior Brittany Jones (80).

Both sophomore Brittany Stillwagon and junior Mollie Boney finished round one with an 81.

The second round will get underway today at 10 a.m.

area

Pavlik update

YOUNGSTOWN — Reports that middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik will likely fight Marco Antonio Rubio in September are premature, according to Pavlik’s manager, Cameron Dunkin.

“It’s all talk right now,” Dunkin said. “There’s nothing set yet. We’re just looking around.”

Pavlik will make his first title defense in June against Gary Lockett in Atlantic City.

Rubio, who has won his last seven bouts, was one of four finalists for that June fight.

There’s a good chance Pavlik will fight in late August or early September in Ohio. If so, Cleveland would be the most likely destination, although Dunkin has not ruled out an outdoor fight in Youngstown.

Also, the April 16 “Evening with The Ghost” event at Yankee Lake Ballroom has been postponed.

Newton Falls hires Lazzari

NEWTON FALLS — The Newton Falls Board of Education named Greg Lazzari as its head football coach on Monday.

Lazzari went 2-18 over the last two years as head coach at Division I Cuyahoga Falls.

Before that, Lazzari served as the offensive line coach for two seasons at Warren Harding and was the head coach at Champion for four years, going 15-23. The Flashes went 5-15 the previous two years before he took over.

Lazzari has also been an assistant at Niles, Champion and MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Fla.

Lazzari replaces longtime coach Mark Bjelac, who went 56-116 in 17 years with the Tigers.

Mang in form

HILLSDALE, MICH. — Senior pitcher John Mang (Fitch) pitched six innings and allowed just one hit as the Mercyhurst College baseball team defeated Hillsdale 8-1.

Mercyhurst is 16-18, 5-13 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conf.

Hillsdale is 9-18, 4-11.

Senior Dan Bertolini (Poland) went 3-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored for Mercyhurst.

Mang is 2-5.

Olive is recognized

ALLIANCE — Katie Olive (Mineral Ridge) of Mount Union College was named the Ohio Athletic Conf. softball hitter of the week.

Olive hit three home runs including a grand slam in one game last week.

Overall the Raiders posted a 4-0 week as Olive hit .750 with four homers 10 RBIs and an .867 on-base percentage.

Vindicator staff/wire reports