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Lacrosse program started at Mooney

YOUNGSTOWN — Cardinal Mooney will participate in boys lacrosse starting this spring, Principal Sr. Jane Marie Kudlacz announced.

The Cardinals will play an 11-game schedule, including competition in the northern region of the club division of the Ohio High School Lacrosse Association.

Sr. Kudlacz noted that lacrosse is growing in popularity and that Mooney is the first in the Tri-County area to field a team.

Tom Trefethern, who coached introduced lacrosse at Stow last year, will serve as Mooney’s head coach. His assistants are Terry Reardon, Jim Boniface and Ray Marks.

Mooney’s opener is April 2 at home against Stow.

Sharon Speedway’s format has changed

HARTFORD — Sharon Speedway has changed its racing format for the 2009 racing season.

This year the track will feature a four-division program, rotating the sprint cars and modified stock cars bi-weekly as the headline racing class.

“The change is a business decision we had to initiate to remain competitive in the current entertainment market place,” said newly appointed General Manager Larry Mattingly. “Given the current economic climate, and the uncertain employment numbers in the region, we were faced with some difficult decisions in order to remain viable.

Tri-City racers at Cranberry Mall

FRANKLIN, Pa. — For the 13th year in a row, Venango County’s Cranberry Mall in Cranberry, Pa., will host race cars and fans for the annual Tri-City Speedway Mall Show at the Route 322 shopping center this weekend, March 5 through March 8, 2009.

Many of Tri-City’s weekly competitors will have their new cars on display at the mall show. The Engles Trucking DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds will be represented by Franklin, PA’s own, Kevin Hoffman. The Hoffman Door Company entry has a rich history here in Venango County as Kevin’s brother, the late Jeff Hoffman, captured 19 feature wins at Tri-City.

For more, call (814) 676-0477.

nation

Iditarod race

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Aaron Peck of Alberta, Canada, will be the first official musher out of the chute for the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

The ceremonial start of the 1,100-mile race is today in Anchorage, with the official restart Sunday in Willow.

While Peck is the first musher in the draw, he’ll actually be the second dog sled out. Going first will be honorary mushers Rod and Carol Udd.

Two-time defending champion Lance Mackey drew the No. 47 slot. The last in the draw is Jeff Holt of the North Pole.

More people at track; Oaklawn raises purses

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — Oaklawn Park announced increases in its purses Friday, citing a season-long increase in attendance and wagering.

Oaklawn president Charles J. Cella said numbers have been “surprisingly good” during the first 27 days of the 2009 meet. Beginning with Friday’s card, Oaklawn raised overnight claiming purses by at least $300. Maiden special weight race purses will climb by $1,000 to $35,000.

Attendance halfway through the season was at 279,189 this year, compared to 269,797 last year — a 3 percent increase. On-track handle is also up 3 percent and off-track wagering is up.

Second arrest made

SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake City police have arrested a second man in connection with a burglary at the home of Olympic cyclist David Zabriskie.

Jail records show that 43-year-old Craig Carlisle was booked into the Salt Lake County jail on Thursday for investigation of burglary, theft and receiving stolen property-duties of a pawnbroker.

Zabriskie’s home was ransacked last month while he was participating in the Tour of California. Bicycles, medals, an Olympic ring and a set of collectible figures were among the items stolen.

Leopold Jay Howard, 39, had been booked into the Salt Lake County jail earlier Thursday.

world

Algarve Cup

FERREIRAS, Portugal — A spectacular late goal from substitute Natasha Kai gave the United States a 1-0 win over Iceland on Friday and sent the defending champion into the final of the Algarve Cup.

Kai received a cross from Christie Rampone in the final minute of the game, deftly flicked the ball over a defender and fired a left-foot volley from the edge of the penalty area into the corner of the goal.

It gave the Americans six points after their second win in Group B. The U.S. still has to play Norway in the invitational women’s tournament in southern Portugal.

Vindicator staff/wire reports