Charitable service earns nod for YSU pair

February 1, 2014 at 12:00a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

Youngstown State basketball players Heidi Schlegel and Mike Podolsky have been nominated for the 2014 Allstate WBCA and NABC Good Works Team, respectively. Allstate has teamed with the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) in recognizing a select group of college basketball student-athletes who stand out for their charitable achievements and community involvement.

Schlegel has been on a three-week mission trip to India where she taught English and sang songs to schoolchildren and helped prepare soil for farming. She also is a leader of Bible studies and events for the Coalition for Christian Outreach at YSU.

Podolsky is active in reading to elementary school students, cleaning along the Youngstown freeway and participating in the Panerathon 10K in support of breast cancer. He also serves as a team advocate for TEAM IMPACT which is bringing 6-year-old Jayden Barber, who was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma, to join the basketball team.

Area athletes playing at Westminster honored

NEW WILMINGTON, PA.

Several area athletes were among 59 at Westminster College recognized for their achievements by being named to the Presidents’ Athletic Conference academic honor roll for fall 2013.

Among area players on the PAC honor roll: Lexi Starheim, senior from Hubbard, volleyball, second team all-PAC; Aaron Sutton, senior from Howland, cross country, honorable mention all-PAC; Selena Dasari, sophomore from Canfield, soccer; Dan Yargo, freshman from Youngstown Christian, football.

Hall of Fame plans fan interaction event

Cleveland

The Pro Football Hall of Fame kicks off its first fan fest May 3-4 at Cleveland’s International Exposition Center. The event will include an assortment of interactive experiences and fans will have opportunities to meet the 100 Hall of Famers scheduled to participate. Tickets are on sale at www.profootballhof.com/fanfest or by calling 844-FAN-FEST. The cost is $39.99 for adults and $19.99 for children ages 7-12; kids 6-under are free.

Among highlights of the event are daily autograph sessions (tickets sold separately) and a one-man show by Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw (tickets sold separately). For updates about Fan Fest and to connect with other fans, follow @ProFootballHOF on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Join the conversation using #PFHOFFanFest.

Brits take 2-0 Davis Cup lead over US

SAN DIEGO

James Ward won 10 of the last 11 games to take a stunning five-set victory against Sam Querrey and give Britain a 2-0 lead against the United States in the first round of the Davis Cup on a temporary red clay court in the outfield of Petco Park, the downtown home of baseball’s San Diego Padres. Ward, ranked 175th in the world, was two games from losing the match when he began his rally that gave him a 1-6, 7-6 (3), 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 victory.

Ward’s victory in 3 hours, 11 minutes, followed Wimbledon champion Andy Murray’s easy victory (6-1, 6-2, 6-3) against Donald Young making his Davis Cup debut. Britain can clinch the match today in doubles.

Texas hits leader Young retires with Rangers

ARLINGTON, Texas

Michael Young formally announced his retirement Friday after returning to Rangers Ballpark, his baseball home for all but the last of his 13 major league seasons. A seven-time All-Star, Young is the Rangers’ career leader with 2,230 hits.

Originally a second baseman, Young voluntarily moved to shortstop after Alex Rodriguez was traded in 2004. After five All-Star seasons at short Young switched to third base in 2009 and earned an All-Star nod at that position. In 2011 he became a utility player, starting at five different positions and making another All-Star game and leading the AL with 213 hits.

Staff reports/Associated Press