Penguins sign three swimmers in new class

Penguins sign three swimmers in new class

YOUNGSTOWN

The Youngstown State women’s swimming and diving program announced a trio of signings on Wednesday.

Head Coach Matt Anderson added Megan Stelpflug (Clarkston, Mich.), Natalie Laurence (Louisville, Ky.) and Haley Fisher (Fremont, Ohio) to the program for the fall of 2015.

Laurence is a backstroke/breaststroke/IM specialist, with a 2:08.20 career best in the 200 backstroke. Stelpflug competes in the 200 freestyle, 500 freestyle and the mile. Fisher is a versatile swimmer who will look to make an impact in the 100s free (51.82 seconds), back (58.27 seconds) and breast (1:08.72) as well as the 200 IM (2:05.20).

“We are excited to add to the Penguin Swimming and Diving family,” Anderson said. “All three women will add depth to a number of areas, and make an immediate impact for the team.”

YSU softball signs four during early period

Dani Dadig, Paige Geanangel, Demi Ann Patonis and Lexi Zappitelli all signed National Letters of Intent to join the Youngtown State University softball program, head coach Brian Campbell announced on Wednesday.

“We are really pleased to have these four players join our program,” Campbell said. “All four come from quality high school and summer programs and will strengthen our program.”

Dadig, an outfielder from Pleasant Hill, Pa., is a three-year letterwinner at Seton LaSalle High School and earned All-Section AA in 2013 and 2014 from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Geanangel, a pitcher from Hopedale, is a three-year letterwinner at Indian Creek High School and was named first-team all-state, Eastern District player of the year and Ohio Valley Athletic Conference player of the year as a junior.

Patonis, an infielder from Brentwood, Tenn., is a two-year letterwinner at Ravenwood High School. Zappitelli, a utility player from Conneaut, was the co-player of the year in the Eastern District and OVAC Class 5A player of the year.

Penguins aren’t among MVFC top honors

The Missouri Valley Football Conference announced its top honors today, as league champs Illinois State and North Dakota State earned four of the five awards.

Illinois State running back Marshaun Coprich earned offensive player of the year, North Dakota State defensive end Kyle Emanuel was defensive player of the year and Illinois State Brock Spack was awarded coach of the year.

The newcomer of the year was Illinois State quarterback Tre Roberson and freshman of the year was South Dakota State wide receiver Jake Wieneke.

The full all-conference teams will be announced on Monday.

Barlow helps Butler knock of No. 5 UNC

PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas

Alex Barlow and Kelan Martin each scored 17 points and Butler hung on to upset No. 5 North Carolina 74-66 on Wednesday in the opening game of the Battle 4 Atlantis.

Roosevelt Jones added 12 points for the Bulldogs (4-0), who topped the Tar Heels in an early season tournament for the second time in two meetings. Butler beat North Carolina at the Maui Invitational in 2012, blowing the game open in the first half of that meeting.

Marcus Paige scored 18 points for North Carolina (3-1), which allowed 29 offensive rebounds — matching the most by the Tar Heels under coach Roy Williams. Brice Johnson added 11 and Kennedy Meeks blocked five shots.

Bahamas native lifts Oklahoma past UCLA

Bahamas native Buddy Hield scored 24 points, Frank Booker added 11 and Oklahoma beat UCLA in the Battle 4 Atlantis.

Hield was born in Freeport and lived there until moving to Kansas as a high school junior. Jordan Woodard added 10 points for the Sooners (3-1).

Bryce Alford scored 19 points for UCLA (4-1). Kevon Looney finished with 16 points and 15 rebounds, his fourth consecutive double-double for the Bruins.

Staff/Wire report