Sports Digest

LOCAL

Time change

CORTLAND — Because of ACT testing, Saturday’s Salem-Lakeview girls basketball varsity game has been changed to a 3:30 p.m. start. The junior-varsity game will tip off at 2 p.m.

Fitch bowlers defeat Jackson

CANTON — The Fitch High bowling team won its match against Massilon Jackson, 2,375 to 2,249 at Colonial Lanes. Gina Cheff led the way with 209-214—423. Vickie Berquist rolled a 192, Delorean Jones 174 and Marietta Gallo 171.

AREA

Indians hire Charles Nagy

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Indians have hired former pitcher Charles Nagy as their pitching coach at Triple-A Columbus.

Nagy pitched for the Indians from 1990-2002. He won 129 games and was a major contributor as Cleveland won six AL Central titles and made two World Series appearances in a seven-year span. A three-time All-Star, Nagy was inducted into the Indians’ Hall of Fame last summer.

Nagy, 42, worked as a special assistant to Indians general manager Mark Shapiro from 2004-05. In Columbus, he replaces Scott Radinsky, who was promoted to new Indians manager Manny Acta’s staff in Cleveland as bullpen coach.

Ianello gets Akron job

AKRON — Rob Ianello, a Notre Dame assistant coach and the Fighting Irish’s recruiting coordinator, will now try to convince high school stars to come to Akron.

Ianello was introduced as the Zips’ new head coach on Thursday. The 44-year-old spent the previous five years at Notre Dame, where he landed some of the nation’s top recruits. Ianello also coached the Irish’s wide receivers coach and served as interim coach after Charlie Weis was fired.

Ianello replaces J.D. Brookhart, who was fired after Akron went 3-9 this season.

Akron athletic director Tom Wistrcill said Ianello stood out among candidates because of his background and recruiting prowess.

Ianello also coached at Wisconsin and Arizona.

NATION

Texas’ McCoy player of year

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Texas quarterback Colt McCoy has won the Walter Camp Football Foundation’s player of the year award for the second consecutive season.

McCoy becomes the third player to win the award in back-to-back years, joining Ohio State star Archie Griffin (1974-75) and Southern California standout O.J. Simpson (1967-68). The honor is voted on by coaches and sports information directors.

McCoy led the Longhorns to a 13-0 record this season and a spot in the Jan. 7 BCS national championship game against Alabama. He threw for 3,512 yards and 27 touchdowns.

The other nominees were quarterbacks Tim Tebow of Florida and Case Keenum of Houston, running back Mark Ingram of Alabama and defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh of Nebraska.

Walker Award to Gerhart

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Stanford’s Toby Gerhart has won the Doak Walker Award honoring the nation’s best running back.

Gerhart accepted the honor at the annual college football awards show Thursday night at Disney World.

Gerhart had more yards rushing (1,736) and touchdowns (26) than any player in the country. He led No. 19 Stanford (8-4) to a second-place finish in the Pac-10 and its first bowl bid in eight years.

Gerhart scored touchdowns in all but one game, topped 100 yards 10 times and 200 yards three times, and averaged at least 4.4 yards per carry in every game this season.

The other nominees were Alabama’s Mark Ingram and Clemson’s C.J. Spiller.

Irish’ Tate top receiver

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Notre Dame’s Golden Tate has won the Biletnikoff Award honoring the nation’s best receiver.

Tate accepted the honor at the annual college football awards at Disney World on Thursday night.

Tate had 93 catches for 1,496 yards with 15 receiving touchdowns, two rushing TDs and a punt return for a score.

Vindicator staff/wire