area

area

Clark picked first-team all-Big Ten QB

YOUNGSTOWN — Ursuline High graduate Daryll Clark, who led Penn State to an 11-1 record, a share of the Big Ten championship and a berth in the Rose Bowl, was named first-team all-conference Monday.

Clark, who threw for over 2,300 yards and 17 touchdowns and ran for 265 yards and nine TDs, was named quarterback on both all-star teams, which are selected by conference coaches and media members.

Howland’s Williams earns Patriot honor

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Lehigh freshman basketball player Alexa Williams, a Howland High graduate, was named the Patriot League’s Rookie of the week.

Williams scored a career-high 12 points in a win against Fairleigh Dickinson last week and bettered that mark in her next contest, scoring 13 with eight rebounds and three blocks against St. Francis.

Williams leads the Mountain Hawks in shooting percentage this season, hitting 66.7 percent of her shots so far. She is also tied with Courtney Dentler for the team lead with three blocks and sits in second place on the team with 5.8 rebounds per game.

Benefit basketball

YOUNGSTOWN — There will be something extra on the line when the Ursuline boy’s basketball team plays at Liberty on Dec. 2.

The proceeds of the game, after expenses, will be donated to the Second Harvest Food Bank to help feed hungry families in the community.

The JV game starts at 6 p.m. with the varsity game to follow.

Summers All-OAC

ALLIANCE — Mount Union’s senior offensive lineman Lucas Summers (Springfield Local) was selected first team All-Ohio Athletic Conf. by league coaches.

Summers plays right tackle and anchors an offensive line for the nation’s No. 1 ranked offense.

The Purple Raiders feature the No. 1 rated passer (Greg Micheli) and the nation’s third leading rusher (Nate Kmic).

Mountaineer racing

CHESTER, W. Va. — Two of MTR Gaming Group, Inc.’s throughbred racetracks have achieved greater stature for their signature horse races.

The American Graded Stakes Committee upgraded the $750,000 West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort from a Grade III to a Grade II status.

The $400,000 Presque Isle Masters at Presque Isle Downs was granted a Grade III status.

The rankings were announced Tuesday at the American Graded Stakes Committee’s annual grading sessions.

nation

Pro football hall

CANTON — Bruce Smith, the NFL’s career sack leader, and versatile defensive back Rod Woodson are among the four first-time eligibles who made the list of 25 semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The other two are tight end Shannon Sharpe and defensive end John Randle, on a list that will be reduced to 15 before the final vote on Jan. 31 in Tampa, Fla., the day before the Super Bowl.

The list also includes two people in the contributor category: former commissioner Paul Tagliabue and Art Modell, former owner of the Cleveland Browns/Baltimore Ravens.

Indiana probation

INDIANAPOLIS — Fearing a postseason ban, Indiana University accepted an NCAA-ordered three years’ probation with relief Tuesday, eager to continue rebuilding its once-storied men’s basketball program.

After months of uncertainty over an embarrassing telephone recruiting scandal, the NCAA spared the school any additional punishment such as a postseason ban or additional scholarship losses.

But former coach Kelvin Sampson, the man at the center of the scandal, faces recruiting restrictions through November 2013 if hired by another school.

Pitt’s McCoy to return

PITTSBURGH — LeSean McCoy’s second Backyard Brawl rivalry game against West Virginia apparently won’t be his last.

Despite speculation he might enter the NFL draft next spring, the Pittsburgh running back said Tuesday he plans to return for his junior season.

McCoy has rushed for 2,453 yards and scored 33 touchdowns in two seasons.

McCoy, a sophomore who spent a year in prep school, is only the third Pitt running back to have successive 1,000-yard seasons. His breakaway ability and knack of getting tough yards are looked upon favorably by NFL scouts, and he is listed among the top 25 players — a potential first rounder — by scouting service Scouts Inc.

Vindicator staff/wire reports