Sports digest

YSU

Nishani Cicilson to represent Suriname

YOUNGSTOWN — YSU sophomore swimmer Nishani Cicilson will compete for her native Suriname at the 2009 FINA World Swimming & Diving Championships to be held in Rome on July 18SEmDAugust 2.

Cicilson was selected to participate in the event as one of the top three swimmers in Suriname.

At the Horizon League Championships she was 12th in the 50-yard freestyle, 13th in the 100 backstroke and 13th in the 100 free.

area

Attention schools: We need information

The Vindicator seeks information on varsity football photo days and scrimmage schedules.

Please e-mail (sports@vindy.com) or call (330) 747-1478 with the date, time and place.

Fitch football dinner planned for Aug. 7

AUSTINTOWN SEmD The Fitch High School football kickoff dinner will be Aug. 7 at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Center.

Cocktails begin at 6:30 p.m. and the dinner starts at 7. Entry includes dinner, dessert, open bar and entry into a reverse raffle. For tickets, call Don Sherwood at (330) 559-9548.

Mercer Raceway

MERCER, Pa. — Registering wins at Mercer Raceway were Rod George-Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, Jimmy Holden-Approved Toilet Rentals Modifieds, Mike Pegher, Jr.-4 Your Car Connection FASTRAK Late Models, Shaun Hooks-Stock Cars, Rick Ament-Big Daddy’s Speed Center Mod Lites, Lee Lehnerd-M&D Paving Mini Stocks and Tim Gillette-“KABOOM 100” Enduro.

Deerfield Race track

DEERFIELD — George Hobaugh won the DBY Micro Sprint Division at Deerfield Race track.

In the visiting 600 Micro Sprint Division, Ryan Flick won the first feature event of his career.

In the Circle Restaurant TUSA Mod Lite Division, Jeff Teeters won the Battle of the Bullrings Feature event.

nation

Bobek charged in bust

JERSEY CITY, N.J. — Former figure skating champion Nicole Bobek has been charged with being part of a northern New Jersey drug ring.

The 31-year-old Bobek made her first court appearance Monday by video from the Hudson County Jail. Bobek, who has homes in New York and Jupiter, Fla., was arrested in Florida last week. She is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Hudson County.

Attorney Sam DeLuca entered a not guilty plea for Bobek. She was held on $200,000 bail and faces up to 10 years in prison if she’s convicted. A call to DeLuca’s office was unanswered.

Tapia back in lock up

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Former five-time world champion boxer Johnny Tapia is behind bars again.

The New Mexico Department of Corrections says Tapia was taken into custody and booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center in Albuquerque on Monday after violating the terms of his parole.

Corrections spokeswoman Tia Bland says Tapia traveled to Red River last weekend without permission from his parole officer. He also entered a bar while in Red River and was involved in some type of verbal confrontation, both violations of his parole.

The boxer was placed on a year of parole in May.

USA Swimming retains sponsor

INDIANAPOLIS — USA Swimming has retained ConocoPhillips as a sponsor, with the company signing on for another 10 years.

The deal was announced Monday, a day before the U.S. national championships begin with ConocoPhillips as the title sponsor.

The Houston-based energy company has sponsored the sport in the U.S. for 36 years.

The deal calls for ConocoPhillips to make an annual donation to the USA Swimming Foundation for support and expansion of its “Make a Splash” water safety initiative.

Part of that money will stay in Houston, where more than 900 children have already learned to swim through local programs.

Vindicator staff/wire reports