SPORTS DIGEST || Several local golfers compete in youth event

Several local golfers compete in youth event

AURORA

Jacob Harrah of Newton Falls shot a 79 to finish six shots off the pace in the boys 16-19 age division on Wednesday in the Northern Ohio PGA Junior Golf event at Club Walden. Luke Tanner of Sullivan won the division with a 1-over 73.

Other local golfers included Donavan Ray of Warren who shot an 81, Isaac Davidson of East Liverpool 82, Bradley Miller of Hanoverton 83, and Bruce William Wiggins of Columbiana 84.

In the girls 16-19 division, Christina Cooper of Canfield shot an 83 and Michele Whiteleather of Canfield had an 85. Gabrielle Minor of Canton won the event with a 75.

Poland man to race this weekend at Mid-Ohio

LEXINGTON

Dr. Ron Yarab of Poland is scheduled to race Friday and Saturday at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington during the Honday IndyCar weekend.

Yarab will be driving a Honda Civic Si for the Compass 360 race team in the Touring Class of the Pirelli World Challenge Race.

Yarab’s team has partnered with the Children’s Tumor Foundation program to bring awareness to and raise money for research into neurofibromatosis.

Yarab has been racing professionally for more than 15 years and is a five-year veteran of the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona.

Browns sign veteran S Leonhard to contract

BEREA

Cleveland has signed safety Jim Leonhard, making the Browns the fifth different NFL team in the nine-year veteran’s career. The Browns confirmed the signing Wednesday after Leonhard wrote on Twitter that, “It’s official, I just signed my 8th NFL contract to become a part of the Cleveland Browns. (hash)dawgpound.”

Leonhard, 31, was with Buffalo last year where he spent the first four seasons of his career after being signed as an undrafted rookie out of Wisconsin in 2005. He spent 2012 in Denver and also played 2008 for Baltimore and 2009 and 2010 with the New York Jets. He had four interceptions playing in 16 games last season with seven starts. He has 12 career interceptions.

Timberwolves sign veteran G Williams

MINNEAPOLIS

The Minnesota Timberwolves have signed veteran guard Mo Williams. The Wolves reached agreement with the free agent from Portland on Monday and made the announcement Wednesday. Williams gets a one-year, $3.75 million contract to serve as the primary backup to point guard Ricky Rubio.

Williams can play both guard positions, which would allow for the Wolves to play him with Rubio late in games. He will turn 32 in December and is entering his 12th season in the league and the Timberwolves see him as an ideal fit alongside rookie Zach LaVine on the team’s second unit.

Ives to be crew chief for Earnhardt in 2015

CHARLOTTE, N.C.

There was no shortage of candidates to replace Steve Letarte as Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s crew chief The list of applicants was long, but Hendrick Motorsports has always liked to groom its own talent. So the organization didn’t have to look very far for the next leader of the No. 88 Chevrolet.

Greg Ives, who was shipped over to Earnhardt’s Nationwide Series team at the end of 2012 to gain his first experience as crew chief, was chosen Wednesday as Letarte’s replacement with NASCAR’s most popular driver.

Isner not happy after loss in Citi Open

WASHINGTON

Speaking to reporters moments after losing his opening match at the Citi Open, John Isner swore, gave clipped answers and complained that he and fellow American Steve Johnson played on a secondary court instead of in the main stadium.

Isner, a two-time runner-up at the hard-court tuneup for the U.S. Open, hit 29 aces but failed to earn a single break point and was beaten by the 68th-ranked Johnson 6-7 (5), 6-3, 7-6 (6) on Wednesday night.

Staff reports/Associated Press