YSU men’s basketball players earn top honors

YSU men’s basketball players earn top honors

Kansas City, Mo.

The Youngstown State men’s basketball team again has distinguished itself in the classroom after receiving a pair of academic awards from the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC). Former players Kendrick Perry and Mike Podolsky were named to the NABC Honors Court and the program garned a 2013-14 Team Academic Excellence Award.

Perry earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with an overall grade-point average of 3.36 and Podolsky graduated Summa Cum Laude with a 4.0 grade-point average in finance.

Youngstown State finished the 2013-14 school year with a team grade-point average of 3.01.

Caps sign Aussie ex-Phantom Walker

ARLINGTON, Va.

The Washington Capitals have signed forward Nathan Walker, the first Australian player to be drafted by an NHL team. Walker, 20, spent part of the 2012-13 season with the Youngstown Phantoms, recording seven goals and 20 assists in 29 games after joining the team in January.

Walker, who was selected in the third round of last month’s draft, signed a standard three-year, entry-level contract Friday. He was born in Wales but spent his early childhood in Australia before moving to the Czech Republic.

Walker became the first Phantom to jump directly from the USHL to the AHL when he signed in September with the Hershey Bears.

Triathlon, picnic fund-raiser scheduled Aug. 9

NORTH JACKSON

The 10th annual Steve Speece Memorial Triathlon and picnic is scheduled Aug. 9 at 4858 S. Duck Creek Road, North Jackson.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the triathlon starts at 9:30. The triathlon consists of a 500-meter swim, an 11.6-mile bike and a 3.1-mile run.

The event is intended to remember Speece and to raise funds for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) and the Steve Speece Memorial Scholarship Fund (SSMSF).

Speece was a committed volunteer to the Western Reserve Local Schools, Berlin Center United Methodist Church and the War-Vets Museum located in Canfield. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in September 2003 and passed away in October 2004.

Concealed carry class in afternoon hours

NILES

A comprehensive CCW-NRA Basic Pistol Class, which meets the requirement to apply for an Ohio Concealed Carry License, will be held starting Monday at 1 p.m. at the Niles American Legion clubhouse. The class is being co-sponsored by the United Veterans of America Niles Post 7.

NRA-trained concealed carry instructors and range safety officers are on site for shooting at our nearby range.

The 12-hour course consists of two afternoons of four hours (1-5 p.m.) of classroom instruction in Niles and a third meeting on Wednesday of two hours Ohio Law in class, plus two hours of range time.

All NRA materials, ammunition, use of target pistols along with eye and ear protection will be supplied at a cost of $85 per student ($160 per couple).

There are only 18 slots available, seating is limited. For more information or to register call 330-766-1138 or e-mail Marino729@aol.com

Sharon resumes season after two-week break

Hartford

After a weekend off for the Trumbull County Fair and a rainout last week, Sharon Speedway is hoping better weather is on the horizon tonight to resume the 85th anniversary racing season with a six-division Steel Valley Thunder program featuring the 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 Deforest Used Parts Mini Stocks. Race time is 7 p.m.

Staff reports