area

area

YMCA champs

YOUNGSTOWN — Greystone Gas and Oil won the team championship in the YMCA Golf League which was celebrating its 80th year of competition.

The champions, consisting of Phil Leonelli, John Manolukas, Bill Burkey and Dan Welsh, tied Creekside Fitness in match points after 18 holes and the low net score decided the winner.

Creekside was led by Joe Nigro, Don Lariccia, Fred Lariccia and Rocco Genniro.

The league, which began in 1929 at Mill Creek is looking for new teams.

Those interested should contact Mike Schaffer at (330) 744-8411.

Champion High seeks new football coach

WARREN — Champion High School is accepting applications for a new head football coach.

After posting a 3-7 record this fall, John Gibson stepped down.

Interested applicants can apply in writing with a resume and list of references to Tim Cope AD, 5976 Mahoning Ave., Warren 44483 before Nov. 21.

Prep volleyball

NEW MIDDLETOWN — Springfield High School is now selling tickets for its regional volleyball game Thursday at Barberton High School.

Seats cost $6 when purchased at Springfield but will be $8 at the door.

Springfield meets Gilmour Academy at 6 p.m.

Nee is PAC POTW

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. - The Presidents’ Athletic Conference named Westminster College sophomore women’s soccer player Sarah Nee as its PAC Women’s Soccer Player of the Week for the week of Oct. 20-26.

Nee, a forward who ranks second in the PAC with 16 goals this year, scored two goals and recorded one assists for five points while leading the Titans to PAC wins over Bethany, 2-0, on Oct. 21 and Waynesburg, 4-1, on Saturday.

Westminster (13-2-2, 4-0-1 PA C) is in first place in the PAC entering the week.

state

Cleveland St.’s Waters signs 5-year deal

CLEVELAND — Gary Waters has a new five-year contract with Cleveland State after coaching the Vikings to their first postseason appearance in 20 years.

Waters had three years left on his original deal, but the five-year rollover eliminates it.

The 57-year-old Waters took over at Cleveland State in 2006 after spending five years at Rutgers.

The Vikings went 10-21 in Waters’ first season before going 21-13 and making the National Invitation Tournament last season.

Cleveland State was just the 16th program in NCAA history to go from losing 20 games in one season to winning 20 the next.

Waters, who also coached at Kent State, has four starters back from last year’s team.

nation

Surface is big winner

ARCADIA, Calif. — Forget the 14 races, the $25 million in purses and the tens of millions in wagering.

The biggest number to come out of the Breeders’ Cup may be zero — as in zero breakdowns on Santa Anita’s new synthetic Pro-Ride surface during two electrifying days of racing that gave the sport a much-needed image boost following a long, scrutiny-filled summer.

More than 150 horses headed to the post looking for their share at horse racing’s richest event.

Only 14 won, but the entire field made it around the sun-dappled track intact.

“There was no carnage,” said trainer Eoin Harty.

MLS playoffs

NEW YORK — Major League Soccer opens its playoffs Thursday night when the Chicago Fire visit the New England Revolution.

The first round features a home-and-home, aggregate-goal format. The Fire will host the Revolution the following Thursday.

Other first-round matchups have Houston at New York, Chivas USA at Real Salt Lake, and Columbus at Kansas City on Saturday.

The reverse match for the Dynamo and Red Bulls will be in Houston on Nov. 9. Salt Lake is at Chivas and Kansas City at Columbus on Nov. 8.

Conference finals will be staged on Nov. 13 and either Nov. 15 or Nov. 16.

The MLS Cup 2008 will be played Sunday, Nov. 23 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

world

Hackett to retire

SYDNEY, Australia — Australian swimmer Grant Hackett, who won 1,500-meter gold medals at two consecutive Olympics, is retiring from the sport.

The 28-year-old Hackett told his plans to Australian television network Channel Nine. He will make a formal announcement at the Australian swimmer of the year awards Monday night.

Vindicator staff/wire reports