Spartans’ cross country coaches honored

March 15, 2014 at 12:00a.m.

BOARDMAN

Boardman boys and girls cross country coaches John Phillips and Stacey Hunter were named District 1 coaches of the year when the state awards banquet was held last month.

The Boardman girls, in Hunter’s second season, were County, Suburban League, and District champions and finished runner-up in the Federal League. They finished fifth at the Regional meet. The team also was undefeated during the regular season.

Phillips completed his fifth year of coaching cross country at Boardman and his teams have been the Mahoning County champions all five years. They were Federal League and District champions the past two years and this year were the Regional champions, advancing the team to the state meet where they finished fourth. He has been selected Coach of the Year by the Mahoning Valley Coaches Association the past four years and was named Federal League Coach of the Year the past two years.

McDonald’s Tayala 5th in USA in weight throw

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.

Kent state sophomore thrower Matthias Tayala (McDonald) set his career-best and a Kent State record, and also earned All-America honors Friday at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field National Championships.

Tayala recorded a toss of 72-feet, 6.25 inches on his final throw to finish in fifth place. The throw topped his previous school record of 72-2.5.

Bowling tournament for women’s seniors

AUSTINTOWN

The Youngstown-Salem USBC Women’s Bowling Association will hold its 22nd annual senior tournament March 29-30 at Wedgewood Lanes in Austintown. The event is open to women 55 or older who are sanctioned members of the Youngstown-Salem USBC WBA. The entry fee is $17 and entries close on March 22. For additional information, contact Betty Kana at 330-651-4644. The event is sponsored by Pizza Joe’s, Molly’s Restaurant and Bar and Carl Hurd Pro Shop Wedgewood Lanes.

Djokovic, Isner reach Indian Wells semis

INDIAN WELLS, Calif.

For the first time in four years, Novak Djokovic is without a big title to start the year. The Serb is used to arriving at the BNP Paribas Open with the Australian Open in his back pocket, having won the season’s first Grand Slam three straight years.

Djokovic is eager to hoist the trophy at Indian Wells, where he’s a two-time champion. He took a step toward that goal with a 6-1, 6-3 victory against Julien Benneteau in the quarterfinals Friday. Djokovic will play 12th-seeded John Isner, the lone remaining American, in Saturday’s semifinals. Isner fired 13 aces to beat 20th-seeded Ernests Gulbis 7-6 (4), 7-6 (3).

Penguins F James Neal out with concussion

PITTSBURGH

Pittsburgh Penguins forward James Neal is out indefinitely with a concussion. Coach Dan Bylsma says Neal told coaches he “wasn’t feeling normal” on Thursday morning, missed practice and was diagnosed with a concussion later in day. Neal played Wednesday night in the Penguins’ victory over Washington, playing nearly 15 minutes and registering five shots on goal. There is no timetable for Neal’s return.

While Neal is out, forward Chris Kunitz will be a game-time decision when Pittsburgh plays at Philadelphia on Saturday. Kunitz returned to practice on Friday after sitting out Thursday with “bumps and bruises.”

Veteran pitcher Tomko agrees to deal with KC

SURPRISE, Ariz.

Brett Tomko, a 14-year big league veteran who turns 41 on April 7, has agreed to a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals. Tomko has pitched only 172/3 innings in the majors since 2009, making eight relief appearances in 2011 with Texas. He was 4-8 with a 4.98 ERA in 19 starts last year with York in the independent Atlantic League. Tomko is 100-103 with a 4.65 ERA over 14 major league seasons.

Staff reports/Associated Press