area

area

NASCAR coming

YOUNGSTOWN — Nationwide Insurance is bringing NASCAR to town.

Local Nationwide Insurance agent Michael Kernan will play host to the NASCAR Nationwide Series Show Car at Quaker Steak Lube in Austintown on Sept. 18 from 3-9 p.m.

There is no charge but donations will be welcomed to benefit the Potential Development Program, Inc.

Potential Development is a local non-profit agency providing educational services to children with autism and development needs.

For details call (330) 629-2000.

Kiger selected

WEXFORD, Pa. — Two Thiel College student-athletes were named Presidents’ Athletic Conf. players of the week.

Volleyball player Abbey Kiger (Mineral Ridge) was recognized for her effort in the Mariette River City Tournament Aug. 29-30 and women’s soccer player Jill Harry posted a shutout in her team’s season opener.

Kiger, a junior outside hitter, led Thiel to a 3-1 mark and the team championship at the Marietta River City Invitational this weekend. In four matches, she posted 70 kills (4.31 kpg), 71 digs (4.44 dpg) and seven service aces. For her efforts, she was selected to the all-tournament team.

Raiders picked

AUSTINTOWN — Three Mount Union College fall student-athletes earned Ohio Athletic Conference Player of the Week honors.

Dan Whisler was named OAC Men’s Cross Country Runner of the Week, Melissa Mahnke was named OAC Volleyball Player of the Week while Deidre Dick was named OAC Women’s Soccer Player of the Week.

Titans honored

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. — Two Westminster College students were selected Presidents’ Athletic Conf. athletes of the week.

Coty Hainset was named the PAC Men’s Soccer Player of the Week and Andrea Redhair was named the league’s Women’s Tennis Player of the Week.

state

Indians sever ties with Triple-A Buffalo

CLEVELAND — Bye-bye, Buffalo. Hello, Columbus?

The Cleveland Indians informed Major League Baseball on Tuesday of their desire to terminate their player development contract with Triple-A Buffalo, ending a 14-year partnership with the Bisons.

The Indians’ decision appears to clear the way for the club to move its top minor league affiliate to Columbus, Ohio, which will have a new stadium next season.

Cleveland already has three minor league teams — Akron, Lake County and Mahoning Valley — in Ohio.

In a statement released by the team, the Indians said MLB will inform them on Sept. 15 of available locations for their Triple-A affiliate and that the club will have a 14-day window to negotiate a new deal.

nation

Franchitti retires?

Already abbreviated by injury and lack of sponsorship, Dario Franchitti’s career in NASCAR racing will come to an end this year, Chip Ganassi Racing announced Tuesday.

Though Franchitti says he hasn’t ruled out a return to stock cars in the future, he will drive Ganassi’s No. 10 Target Honda as a teammate to Scott Dixon in the IndyCar Series next season.

Saratoga rallies

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — A stretch of nice weather helped Saratoga Race Course rally from a soggy start to its 140th season, but attendance figures dipped nearly 10 percent for the meet.

According to the New York Racing Association, attendance for the 36-day season that ended Monday was 864,363, down from 958,574 in 2007. Daily average attendance fell to just over 24,000.

world

Bolt runs 19.63 200

LAUSANNE, Switzerland — Usain Bolt clocked 19.63 seconds after easing up before the finish in his first 200-meter race since the Olympics at the Athletissima Grand Prix on Tuesday.

It was the second-fastest time in the world this year — topped only by his world record of 19.30 while winning the gold medal last month at Beijing.

He ran 30 minutes after fellow Jamaican Asafa Powell achieved the second-fastest 100 ever on the same track.

Powell’s time of 9.72 equaled Bolt’s run in setting a then-world record in New York last May.

Vindicator staff/wire reports