Local sports honors

YSU

Curbstone Coaches

BOARDMAN — First-year Youngstown State head baseball coach Rich Pasquale will be the featured speaker at the nootime luncheon of the Curbstone Coaches Monday at the Blue Wolf Catering Center on Lockwood Boulevard.

Former YSU baseball coach Mike Florak will introduce Pasquale.

AREA

McKee, Adams
receive honors

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. — Two Westminster College women’s soccer players from Hubbard High have been named all-region by d3kicks.com on the 2007 d3kicks.com All-Great Lakes Region Team.

Senior defender Brittany McKee earned first-team honors, while junior midfielder Christina Adams garnered a second-team selection.

McKee, who was twice named to the d3kicks.com national team of the week during the season, led the Titan defense that shut out 14 opponents in 2007 while posting a 15-5-3 record, winning the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) and qualifying for the NCAA Tournament for the fifth time in the last six years.

Adams ranked second in the PAC with a team-high 37 points (13 goals, 11 assists).

McKee and Adams were also first- and third-team all-region picks by the NSCAA/adidas, respectively, and they were both first-team all-PAC selections.

In high school they were coached by Dennis Smith.

Burda award recipient

BOARDMAN — Master David Burda recently received a Martial Arts Master of the year Award from World Sports & Martial Arts.

The award recognizes his leadership, dedication and contribution in martial arts for over 30 years.

Burda, president of the Party Max, has been trained and instructed martial arts for over 30 years in Taekwondo, Karate, judo, Hapkiyudo and other martial arts.

He started martial arts training in Detroit, for its relaxation benefits and discipline.

Canfield wins, 8-1

GARFIELD HEIGHTS — Riley Emery scored three times to give him 17 goals on the season as the Canfield hockey team upended Twinsburg Saturday 8-1 in the GCHSHL Blue South Division.

Nick Manos now has 14 goals after scoring twice for the Cardinals (6-15-4, 2-8).

Chad Fischer, Greg Firestone and Chris Schade also scored and each had two assists.

Fighters prevail

Two local fighters who train at the United Boxing Gym registered victories Friday.

Amateur Jake Giuriceo, who is from Campbell but now lives in Struthers, defeated Sean Conway of Pittsburgh at 152-pounds at the Antone’s Banquet Center.

Giuriceo (13-2) has won his last 13 bouts.

He received the Judge Lanzo Fighter of the Night award.

In Morgantown, W. Va., professional heavyweight Bill Greenwalt (1-1) used a right hand to record a first-round TKO over Mel Bankhead (5-1) of Morgantown.

Both are trained by Sam Caldrone and Keith Burnside.

MVL bowling league

YOUNGSTOWN — Mahoning Valley Lanes, the area’s newest bowling establishment, is seeking league bowlers for an abbreviated season.

The 13-week session will run Thursdays from Feb. 6 to May 1.

Those interested should attend an organizational meeting on Jan. 20 at 2 p.m. at Mahoning Valley Lanes, a 24-lane house that was formerly A-Plus Family Bowl.

MVL’s address is 2617 Mahoning Ave.

Those unable to attend on the 20th may pick up an application for league entry at the center from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Monday through Saturday or from noon to 11 p.m. on Sunday.

MVL’s phone is (330) 792-7675.

Mercer HOF banquet

The Mercer County Bowling Hall of Fame will have its induction on Feb. 23 at the Radisson Hotel in West Middlesex.

Brian Chec, Kathy Henry, Dave McGranahan Sr., Dorothy Morris and Rick Walter are the individuals due for inclusion.

Christopher Lysek will be a youth recognition honoree. Tickets may be purchased by calling Donna Stewart (724) 735-5059 or Fred Tonty (724) 981-4371.

Dinner begins at 6 p.m.

Double victories

LAKE CITY, FL. — Two was the number of the night for Hartford’s Dale Blaney at North Florida Speedway.

The George Fisher Racing Team #2 finished second in the All Star Circuit of Champions 25-lap feature event as well as their heat race.

On the first lap of the series’ “Icebreaker”, Blaney took the lead from his third place starting spot and quickly put a straightaway between him and the second place car.

“I don’t have any complaints, to come in here the first night and finish second,” said Blaney. “I know some of the guys went to Australia (over the winter), but my guys prepared this car and we ran really good all night.”

In 1996, Blaney drove the #94 Hughes Motorsports car and finished 18th the first night at Volusia which was the first race in Florida that year.

He went on to have his most successful season to date with a total of 18 feature wins, 17 of those with the All Stars, and the series championship.

Umpires to meet

CANFIELD — The Youngstown Metro Umpires classes for baseball and softball will begin Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at Canfield High School.

Persons interested in taking the classes should call John Mang (330) 502-6665 or Bill Sferra (330) 792-6787.

NATION

Players added

CARSON, Calif. — Fulham’s Clint Dempsey and Carlos Bocanegra, and Derby’s Eddie Lewis and Benny Feilhaber were among 12 Europe-based players selected by U.S. coach Bob Bradley for Wednesday’s exhibition soccer game against Mexico in Houston.

Goalkeeper Tim Howard (Everton), defender Oguchi Onyewu (Standard Liege), and midfielders Freddy Adu (Benfica) and Bobby Convey (Reading) also were picked Saturday to join 10 players who had been training in California. The U.S.-based group is headed by forward Landon Donovan.

Defender Steve Cherundolo (Hannover) was dropped following a groin injury Saturday.

The United States, with mostly players from Major League Soccer, beat Sweden 2-0 on Jan. 19 in its 2008 opener.

After meeting Mexico, the Americans likely will play at Poland on March 26 and at Spain on June 4 before the start of World Cup qualifying in mid-June.

Vindicator staff/wire reports