YSU’s Jeffery to try out for U.S. national team

YSU’s Jeffery to try out for U.S. national team

Youngstown State sophomore setter Val Jeffery will take part in the U.S. women’s national team open tryouts from Feb. 20-22 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.

Jeffery, the 2014 Horizon League Setter of the Year, will be one of 238 athletes from 98 different colleges and universities participating in the tryouts for spots on the U.S. Women’s National Team, U.S. Collegiate National Teams program and U.S. Junior National Team.

Live streaming of the event will be available on Friday, Feb. 20, at 4 p.m. Fans can access the stream at www.teamusa.org.

Neu, Grambling named HL athletes of the week

Youngstown State sprinter Nina Grambling and thrower Conner Neu were recognized as Horizon League Athletes of the Week, the conference announced on Tuesday.

Grambling was named the women’s runner of the week while Neu was honored as the field athlete of the week. Grambling also won her third runner of the week award this season after a strong showing at the SPIRE Division I Invitational. Neu took home athlete of the week honors for his school record breaking weight throw of 20.84 meters at the SPIRE Division I Invitational.

The Penguins are in action on Friday at the Zips Invitational in Akron.

Schlegel selected to basketball workshop

Youngstown State senior Heidi Schlegel has been selected to be part of the 13th annual Women’s Basketball Coaches Association “So You Want To Be A Coach” program, the WBCA announced on Tuesday.

Schlegel, and the 57 other members of the 2015 class, will participate in a three-day workshop held April 3-5 in conjunction with the WBCA National Convention in Tampa, Florida.

The objectives of the program are to increase the understanding and application of skills necessary to secure coaching positions in women’s basketball.

A-Rod pens handwritten apology ‘to the fans’

Alex Rodriguez has issued a handwritten apology “for the mistakes that led to my suspension” but has turned down New York’s offer to use Yankee Stadium for a news conference and has failed to detail any specifics about his use of performance-enhancing drugs.

The five-paragraph statement issued Tuesday, three days before the team opens spring training, was addressed “to the fans.”

Rodriguez says “I regret that my actions made the situation worse than it needed to be” and “I’m ready to put this chapter behind me and play some ball.”

JFK’s Eddy to golf at John Carroll University

Warren JFK senior Alexis Eddy has decided to continue her academic and golf career at John Carroll University.

Eddy is a four-year letter winner and three-time most valuable player for the Eagles. This past season, she was awarded first-team All Northeast Ohio, second-team All North Coast League, second-team All Northeast Ohio Independent Girl’s Golf League and was honored on the All Ohio Academic team.

She plans to study in the pre-med field, majoring in bio-chemistry.

Poland and Boardman accepting HOF nominees

The Poland All Sports Boosters is accepting nominations for the Poland Athletic Hall of Fame.

For more information please contact Lisa Reardon at leese116@gmail.com or visit the website at http://polandboosters.com/teams for an application.

The deadline to submit nominations for induction to the Boardman High School Athletic Hall of Fame for 2015 is this Friday, Feb.20. Nominations can be made online at www.boardmanboosters.org, or at the high school athletic office.

For further details, consult the Booster website, contact a member of the Booster Executive Committee, or call athletic director Denise Gorski at 330-726-3423.

Staff report