Grace qualifies for NCAA outdoor track

May 30, 2014 at 12:00a.m.

Jacksonville, Fla.

Youngstown State senior Bobby Grace finished seventh in the shot put with a throw of 19.54 meters (64-1 1/4) and qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Ore., June 11-14.

Grace, who finished third in the shot put at the national indoor track championships, will be making his first appearance at the outdoor championships. He also just missed breaking his own outdoor record of 19.56 set on April 19, 2014, by just .02.

Senior John Seaver, who entered the preliminaries ranked 45th in the shot put, turned in a strong performance with a best throw of 17.33 (56-10 1/4) to finish 32nd. Junior Jessica Parham, who made her first appearance in the NCAA preliminaries, finished 34th in the javelin with a throw of 43.69 (143-4). Senior Samantha Hamiliton was the final Youngstown State competitor in day one. Hamilton ran 36:37.04 to finish 40th in the 10,000-meter run.

Lowellville makes Nittoli hoops coach

Lowellville

Austintown native Vince Nittoli was named boys basketall coach at Lowellville High School, the school announced Thursday.

Nittoli graduated from Fitch High School in 2000 and earned a BA in communications in 2006 from YSU. He earned his MS in sports administration from St. Thomas University (Miami, FL) in 2008. He has also earned his Alternative Teaching License in Integrated Social Studies from YSU in 2010.

Nittoli served as an assistant coach at Miami-Dade Junior College during the 2007-08 season. He was the head coach at Leetonia from 2008-10. He then served as an assistant boys coach to Rick Kover at Niles from 2010-12.

Former Microsoft CEO wins Clippers bid

LOS ANGELES

An individual with knowledge of negotiations to sell the Los Angeles Clippers says Shelly Sterling has reached an agreement to sell the team to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer for $2 billion.

The individual, who wasn’t authorized to speak publicly, told The Associated Press on Thursday that Ballmer and the Sterling Family Trust now have a binding agreement. The deal now must be presented to the NBA.

Shelly Sterling negotiated the sale after her husband, Donald Sterling, made racist remarks that were made public. Donald Sterling must also approve the final agreement as a 50 percent owner. His attorneys say that won’t happen.

Ferrer into French Open 3rd round

PARIS

Fifth-seeded David Ferrer of Spain comfortably advanced to the third round of the French Open by beating Italy’s Simone Bolelli 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 Thursday.

Ferrer, last year’s runner-up to Rafael Nadal, broke Bolleli’s serve five times and saved all four break points he faced.

Also, former French Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia advanced to the third round by beating Camila Giorgi of Italy 7-6 (5), 6-3. Sixth-seeded Jelena Jankovic of Serbia and 15th-seeded Sloane Stephens of the United States also advanced in straight sets.

Lewan’s ex-girlfriend: He punched OSU fan

ANN ARBOR, Mich.

Top Tennessee Titans draft pick Taylor Lewan punched an Ohio State fan, according to his ex-girlfriend and an alleged victim.

Lewan, a former offensive lineman at Michigan, was charged with one count of aggravated assault and two counts of assault and battery after a confrontation with two Ohio State fans after the Buckeyes beat the Wolverines last season. The 22-year-old Lewan has said he breaking up a dispute and wasn’t involved in a fight.

According to a 36-page Ann Arbor police report obtained Thursday by The Associated Press, James Hughes says Lewan hit him in the face and Alex Dileo, whose brother, Drew, was a teammate of Lewan’s, says, “Taylor is lying” about his actions on Dec. 1.

Staff/Wire reports