Sports digest

area

Mercer Raceway Park starts March 28

MERCER, Pa. — Mercer Raceway Park will return on March 28.

The “Chiller Thriller” will feature the BRP Modified Tour, the United E-Mod Series, open Stock Cars and the Mini Stocks. The rain date is April 4.

For more information call the office at (724) 964-9300 or the track on race day at (724) 662-1310.

The website is www.mercerracewaypark.com.

Basketball tickets

CANFIELD — A limited number of tickets remain for sale during business hours at the Canfield High School athletic office (330) 533-5341) for Friday’s Poland at Canfield boys’ basketball game.

A sellout is expected.

McDonald coaches

McDONALD — The McDonald board of education hired the following coaches: Alan Stanley, varsity assistant baseball coach; Josh Krumpak, varsity assistant boys track coach; John Fields, assistant girls track coach; Jeannette Domitrovich, junior high girls track coach; Andy Kunkel, junior high boys track coach and Sue Manna, assistant softball coach.

Volunteers approved include: Mary Domitrovich, boys and girls track coach; Randy Riccitelli, junior high boys assistant track coach; Steve Bada, Matt Firment, Travis Presco, assistant track coach; Tom Baker and Dave Evinsky, varsity assistant baseball coaches; and Joe Celli and Ray Manna, junior varsity baseball coaches.

Thomas selected

ALLIANCE — Mount Union College junior Scott Thomas (West Branch) was named Ohio Athletic Conference men’s track athlete of the week.

Thomas won the 300-meter dash (35.76) and was the highest Div. III finisher placing fifth in the 60 (7.00) at the Kent State Tune-Up.

Officers announced

Jim Dechellis was elected the president of the Tri “T” League and Bill Fonagy is the vice president.

Al Dechellis is the secretary and Richard Burden is the treasurer.

The new directors are Bob Richards, Eric Doan, Dave Matz, Davfe Stryffeler, Ted Thieron, Jeff Vrabel, Brett Fine, Jim Serich and Jim Standohar.

East hall of fame

BOARDMAN — The East High All Sports Hall of Fame banquet will be held at Mr. Anthony’s on April 26 beginning at 6 p.m.

No tickets will be sold at the door.

For details call the school.

Swimming nationals

ASHLAND — Ashland Univ. swimmer Brian Worhatch (Boardman High) will compete in the national Div. II meet.

Worhatch swam a personal-best 22.15 butterfly in the 200 medley relay that set a conference record of 1:31.89.

He will compete in four events in the national meet next month in Houston.

nation

Michael Phelps to swim in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Michael Phelps is coming to swim in Charlotte.

Phelps, the most-decorated gold medal winner in Olympic swimming history, will swim in the Charlotte UltraSwim on May 14-17 at the Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center.

The meet, which will include other Olympic gold medalists, is a key tune-up for the FINA World Championships in Italy this summer.

FC Dallas trades

FRISCO, Texas — FC Dallas traded defender Adrian Serioux back to Toronto FC for a first-round pick in the 2010 draft and allocation money.

The move Tuesday sends the 29-year-old Serioux back to Toronto FC, which drafted him in 2006 before shipping him to FC Dallas in a trade. Serioux, who played on the back line and as a defensive midfielder, had four assists in 2008.

Also on Tuesday, FC Dallas announced it had signed Colombian midfielder David Ferreira, who was loaned to the club by its Brazilian partner Clube Atletico Paranaense. Ferreira, a member of Colombia’s national team, has 38 goals and 42 assists in 175 games with the Brazilian team.

Bicycle thieves

SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake City police said Tuesday that thieves who ransacked the home of David Zabriskie stole thousands of dollars in bikes and Olympic memorabilia from the world-class cyclist.

Zabriskie’s loss is estimated at just under $160,000, although not all of the 21 stolen items on a list made public by police have been assessed a value.

“It’s huge,” police spokeswoman Robin Snyder said.

world

Cricket postponed

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — New Zealand postponed its July cricket tour of Zimbabwe until 2010 because of safety concerns.

The chief executives of the national bodies agreed on the postponement in Johannesburg at an International Cricket Council meeting, New Zealand Cricket said Wednesday.

Vindicator staff/wire reports