SPORTS DIGEST || Hamilton sets YSU mark in Owens Classic

Hamilton sets YSU mark in Owens Classic

Columbus

Samantha Hamilton set a Youngstown State record for the 1,500-meter run Friday night in her seventh-place finish at the 29th annual Jesse Owens Track Classic hosted by Ohio State. The senior from Jackson-Milton recorded a time of 4:28.88 in her first attempt at the distance this season. She competed against 53 runners in the field.

Also Friday for YSU, Jessica Parham finished sixth in the javelin (39.66 meters), Connor Neu was eighth in the discus (50.04 meters) and Eric Rupe (Maplewood) placed 15th of 46 runners in the men’s 1,500-meter run (3:53.14).

YSU women’s tennis tops Valparaiso

VALPARAISO, IND.

The Youngstown State women’s tennis team improved to 5-2 in Horizon League play with a 7-0 victory over Valparaiso on Friday. The Penguins (10-11 overall) won all six singles matches in straight sets. YSU winners were Margarita Sadovnikova, Marta Burak, Dominika Lackova, Annina Brendel, Nehel Sahni and Carolyn Jesko. Doubles winners were the teams of Burak and Lackova and Brendel and Sahni.

YSU volleyball adds two new recruits

YOUNGSTOWN

Youngstown State University volleyball coach Mark Hardaway announced that Heather Splinter and Paige Saunders have committed to continue their academic and volleyball careers with the Penguins. Splinter is a setter from Dubuque, Iowa, and Saunders is a right-side hitter from Streetsboro.

“We are very excited to welcome both Heather and Paige to the Penguins volleyball family,” Hardaway said. “Both Paige and Heather are serious about their academics, and I know they will be great ambassadors for YSU and the volleyball program. They will fit in well with our returning players.”

Splinter was an honorable mention all-state pick in Class 5A her final two years at Dubuque Hemptsead High. Splinter’s sister, Heidi, was a starter the past four seasons as an outside hitter at Wright State.

Saunders was the All-Portage Trail Conference County Division Player of the Year as a senior. She attended Liberty High as a freshman before moving to Streetsboro for her final three years of high school.

Splinter and Saunders join middle hitter Morgan Tippie, outside hitters Lauren Blanco and Sam Brown, and transfer setter Val Jeffery as newcomers for the 2014 YSU squad.

Valparaiso thumps Penguin men in tennis

Valparaiso, Ind.

The Youngstown State men’s tennis team dropped a 6-1 decision to Valparaiso on Friday afternoon. Dawoud Kabli picked up the lone win for the Penguins (5-15, 1-3 Horizon), a 6-3, 6-4 decision at No. 3 singles over the Crusaders’ Eric Honert.

Sharon Speedway’s 85th season to start

Hartford

All systems are a go for tonight’s 2014 season opener at Sharon Speedway. The 85th anniversary season will get underway at 7 p.m. featuring the “Steel Valley Thunder” program consisting of Hovis Auto & Truck Supply 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.

Pits open at 4 p.m. with grandstands at 5 and heat races slated for 7. Grandstand admission for those 14 and over is $13, while children under 14 are always free.

Becker Funeral Home wins bocce league title

STRUTHERS

Becker Funeral Home rallied to win the championship of the St. Anthony’s Mixed Doubles Bocce League last weekend.

Bellerie won the opener 15-10 before Becker rallied to win 15-9 and 15-13.

Players for Becker Funeral Home were Chico and Marylou Blazquez, Lisa and Robert Pomaro, Jerry and Steve Vidman and Pat and Joe Sandy.

Staff reports