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ysu

Barber wins award

YOUNGSTOWN — John Barber, a member of the YSU men’s basketball team, won the FCA-Scotford Influence Award recipient.

As presented by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the award was given to Barber at the FCA’s annual spring banquet.

The Influence award began in 2004 to recognize a college athlete who has been involved with FCA and is a positive influence to his teammates, peers and others.

Barber is a three-year member of the FCA huddle at YSU and he is the only player in school history with 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 70 blocks.

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Tri-City Speedway

FRANKLIN, Pa. — Rex King took first place, 20 laps, in the dirt car big block modifieds at Tri-City Speedway.

Maz Blair finished first, 20 laps, in the fastrack late models race. Carl McKinney took the Ed mods, 15 laps.

The pro stocks feature was won by Jason Johns.

In the pro stock No. 2 race, 15 laps, Jason Reagle took first place, while in the Thurdercars, 12 laps, Jon Huff was first.

Quaker City Raceway

SALEM — PsyCool Racing, in partnership with the Quaker City Raceway and Steel Valley Super Nationals is announcing their race team debut with four top drag bike races at Sunday from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

PsyCool Racing consists of Bart McGee, three time National Champion and one time World Champion dragbike racer along with Brent Hageman, Mark Wills and Bart McGee Jr.

Rafe singled out

CHICAGO – Mahoning Valley wide receiver Clenton Rafe was named the Schutt Offensive Player of the week in the af2.

Rafe (5-11, 185, Albany State), in his second af2 season, featured during the team’s home loss against Manchester.

Rafe had 11 catches for 199 yards and six touchdowns.

His receiving yards and receiving touchdown totals were both league highs that week.

Rafe is tied for the team lead in receiving touchdowns with 13 and ranks second overall in receptions (25), receiving yards (421) and scoring (78 points).

Three skaters advance

AUSTINTOWN Skate Zone Fun Center will send three skaters to the Great Lakes Regional Championships in Flint, Michigan.

Advancing to the Rollhaven Skating Center will be Lisa Downing, 16, of Poland, Kristen Benner, 15, of Struthers, and Marley Guzman, 13, of Lisbon.

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Tribe inks Ensberg

CLEVELAND — Former All-Star third baseman Morgan Ensberg signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday after getting cut by the Yankees earlier this month.

Ensberg was assigned to Buffalo of the International League. The Indians are looking for hitters with Victor Martinez and Travis Hafner on the disabled list.

The 32-year-old hit just .203 with a home run and four RBIs in 28 games for New York this season. The Yankees designated Ensberg for assignment on June 1.

In the pink?

COLUMBUS — For now, the scarlet and gray of Ohio State are not colors for Pink.

Columbus, Ohio-based Victoria’s Secret is coming out with sweat pants, tank tops and panties featuring logos of the University of Michigan, Harvard and UCLA and other schools.

But not Ohio State, its neighbor in Columbus, at least not yet.

The school is treading carefully because Leslie Wexner, the CEO and chairman of Limited Brands Inc., parent company of Victoria’s Secret, also serves on Ohio State’s board of trustees.

University director of licensing Rick Van Brimmer said Ohio State needs to be cautious about perceptions of conflict of interest.

U.S. Open ratings soar

The U.S. Open’s sudden-death playoff between Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate drew the best Monday golf ratings in 30 years, earning a 7.6 overnight rating and a 20 share, according to NBC Sports, which broadcast the dramatic midday event.

The playoff fell just short of topping ratings for the Phoenix Open on Jan. 16, 1978, when Miller Barber won by a stroke over Jerry Pate and Lee Trevino.

Meanwhile, NBCSports.com also reported that Monday was its highest-traffic day in the website’s history, setting a single-day record for page views.

Vindicator staff/wire reports