SPORTS DIGEST || YSU promotes tennis assistant to head coach

YSU promotes tennis assistant to head coach

YOUNGSTOWN

Youngstown State Director of Athletics Ron Strollo announced on Wednesday that Mickael Sopel has been named the Penguins’ men’s and women’s tennis head coach. Sopel served as an assistant last year at YSU. Sopel replaces Mark Klysner who recently was hired as the men’s tennis coach at Illinois State.

A native of Paris, France, Sopel joined the program last year and helped guide both programs to their best seasons in years.

During the 2012-13 campaign, the programs combined to win 28 matches with the women winning 15 and the men 13. For the women, it was the most dual wins in a season since 1998-99 while the men’s 13 victories were the most since 1990-91.

Basketball officials class begins Oct. 7

The Mahoning Valley Basketball Officials Association will sponsor its basketball class, beginning Oct. 7, for anyone interested in becoming an Ohio high school registered basketball official. For additional information, contact Mike at 330-792-7072.

Furyk left off US team for first time since ’96

Jim Furyk kept waiting for the phone to ring to learn about the Presidents Cup. News came from the buzz of a text message, a peculiar way to find out he would not be part of an American team for the first time since Tiger Woods was still trying to get his PGA Tour card.

U.S. captain Fred Couples used his captain’s picks Wednesday on Webb Simpson and Jordan Spieth, the 20-year-old rookie and youngest American in Presidents Cup history.

“I’m disappointed,” said Furyk, who began his streak of 15 consecutive teams at the 1997 Ryder Cup.

Couples said Furyk and Steve Stricker were two players “I wanted dearly to be on the team.” Stricker was runner-up at the TPC Boston to earn one of the 10 qualifying spots. Furyk essentially was beaten out by Spieth, who started the year with no status and already has a win, a runner-up after losing in a playoff and is guaranteed a trip to the Tour Championship.

Crew wins debut game for interim coach

COLUMBUS

Justin Meram and Ryan Finley each had a goal and an assist to lead the Columbus Crew to a 2-0 win over the Houston Dynamo on Wednesday night. Crew interim coach Brian Bliss won his debut after Robert Warzycha was fired Monday in his fifth season. Bliss retained his title as the team’s technical director in charge of player personnel.

Meram set up Finley’s goal in the 47th minute then added his first of the season in the 74th with a strike from the left side of the box to the far post, helping the Crew (9-13-5) end a two-game skid. Three minutes after Finley put the Crew ahead, his penalty kick was denied by Tally Hall.

IndyCar may add road race at Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS

IndyCar is considering adding a road race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as soon as next year. Mark Miles, CEO of IndyCar parent company Hulman & Co., said Wednesday that IndyCar is leaning toward running the event in May, the same month as the Indianapolis 500. He said the series favors a date during the early part of the month, but the final day of Indy 500 qualifying and the day before the 500 also are possibilities.

Reporting prep results

Coaches and statisticians are encouraged to report prep results by 10 p.m. via email (sports@vindy.com), fax (330-747-6712) or phone (330-747-1478). Emails and faxes are strongly preferred.

Prep football statistics

In order to include a football teams’s statistical leaders in the weekly list featured in the Blitz, both in print and online, coaches and/or statisticians should report their updated statistics by 5 p.m. Tuesday. Email stats to dchapin@vindy.com or fax them to 330-747-6712, attention Doug Chapin.

Staff reports/Associated Press