SPORTS DIGEST || Hanek hired to coach basketball at VCSU

Hanek hired to coach basketball at VCSU

Valley City N.D.

Valley City State University has hired Cathy Hanek as the seventh head women’s basketball coach in school history.

Hanek played at Ursuline High School and at Youngstown State (2000-05).

Hanek joins VCSU after a year as head coach at Miles Community College in Miles City, Mont.

“We are truly excited to have Cathy join our staff,” athletic director Jack Denholm said.

“I am confident that Cathy will continue the success of the Viking basketball program. She possesses great leadership skills, is determined to be successful and has a vision of where she wants to take the Viking basketball program.”

Howland High to begin football ticket sales

howland

Howland High School will begin selling football season tickets, student passes and senior citizen passes in the athletic office on Aug. 19.

The senior passes are for Howland residents 65 and older.

The office is open 7:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30-3 p.m.

For details, call 330-856-8233.

Local umpires to work PONY world series

washington, pa.

Four members of the Mahoning Valley Umpire’s Association have been chosen to work the PONY League Baseball World Series.

Don Donbrindt, Brian Finnigan, Dave Baco and Drew Saluga will umpire two games today and three games on Saturday.

Sharon Speedway

Hartford

There will be free general admission during Fan Appreciation Night Saturday at Sharon Speedway.

The Governor Insurance DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds, Barris Supply RUSH Late Models, Summit Racing Equipment Modifieds, Gibson Insurance Agency Stock Cars, HTMA/Precise Racing Products Econo Mods and the Deforest Used Parts Mini Stocks will be on the card. Race time is 7 p.m.

Luna Rossa sails to 2-0 lead in challenger

Looking a bit like spacemen in their silver life vests and crash helmets, the sailors aboard Luna Rossa’s high-performance catamaran rocketed across San Francisco Bay and took a 2-0 lead over Artemis Racing in the America’s Cup challenger semifinals.

The Italian crew is halfway toward reaching the Louis Vuitton Cup finals against Emirates Team New Zealand.

The final margin was 2 minutes, 6 seconds. Luna Rossa won Tuesday’s series opener by 2 minutes.

Sweden women’s coach Sundhage on sick leave

STOCKHOLM

Sweden women’s national team coach Pia Sundhage is going on sick leave for a month after being treated for kidney stones.

The Swedish Football Association told Swedish news agency TT on Thursday that the 53-year-old Sundhage, who previously coached the U.S. national team, is tired and resting at home.

She was released from a hospital Wednesday after receiving treatment.

Sundhage is expected to be back in action for a World Cup qualifier against Poland on Sept. 21.

She led the U.S. to two Olympic gold medals and a World Cup final before returning to her native Sweden last year.

Man accused of Tygart threat pleads not guilty

DENVER

A Florida man charged with threatening U.S. Anti-Doping Agency CEO Travis Tygart after the agency stripped Lance Armstrong of his Tour de France titles entered a not guilty plea in federal court Thursday.

Gerrit Keats of Clearwater, Fla., faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted of the crime.

Another defendant, Robert Hutchins of Sandy, Utah, faces the same charges in a separate case. His trial has been set for Oct. 7.

Vindicator staff/wire reports