Clemente to coach Zips golf

AKRON — Colin Clemente of Hubbard, who completed an outstanding four-year golf career for the University of Akron, has been named an assistant coach for the Zips under coach Nick Goetze.

A graduate of Warren JFK High, Clemente achieved a 74.62 scoring average through 130 rounds of play from 2004-08 for Akron.

The Zips’ top golfer this year with a 73.49 average, he was named All-MAC first team and to the All-MAC tournament team with a fourth-place finish which led the Zips.

Clemente also was named to the 2008 All-MAC academic team for the second time, achieving a 3.2 grade point average majoring in biology.

“Colin’s success as a student-athlete will certainly make him a great role model for our next generation of Akron golfers,” said Goetze, a three-time All-American at álemson who completed his first season at Akron. “His disciplined style and competitive success is going to be invaluable as we work together to help our young players achieve academically and athletically.”

Clemente set a career-low average last season. He had four top-5, seven top-10 and 10 top-25 finishes in 13 tournaments, and placed fourth at the MAC championships with a 72-hole total of 290. His best finish this year came at the Xavier Invitational with a 54-hole score of 204, or 12 under par. He was named MAC golfer of the week for that effort, his third such award in his career.

Made strong bid to win MAC tournament crown

Goetze said Clemente made a strong challenge to win the MAC tournament individual title this year.

“At the MAC championship, I know he had his sights set on the individual title after taking the lead through three rounds, but his fourth place showing was still a great way to finish his career as a senior,” adds Goetze.

Clemente carded his best-ever finish (2 over par) at the MAC event, bettering his 2007 score by five strokes. In the 2007 MAC championships, Clemente placed ninth to help the Zips win the title and he was named to the All-MAC second team.

Kent State’s Rohan makes All-American team

Slugger Greg Rohan of North Lima, a junior first baseman for the Kent State baseball team from South Range High, has added another prestigious honor.

After being named the Mid-American Conference player of the year in May, Rohan (6-foot, 205 pounds) was selected to the Louisville Slugger All-American third team, announced by Collegiate Baseball in June.

Rohan was the fifth KSU player to earn MAC player of the year and the first since Emmanual Burriss in 2006.

Rohan slugged 20 homers and drove in 61 runs while batting .355 with 18 doubles and two triples.

Rohan’s 20 home runs were second best all-time at KSU behind John Van Benschoten’s 31 in 2001.

Rohan led KSU to a successful season. The Golden Flashes (36-21) won the MAC regular season championship to become the top-seeded team for the MAC tournament.

XJohn Kovach covers area college athletics for The Vindicator. Write to him at kovach@vindy.com/.