Gradishar, Holtz among six for honors

March 25, 2015 at 12:00a.m.

Columbus

Randy Gradishar (Champion)and Lou Holtz (East Liverpool)will be added to the OHSAA’s Circle of Champions on Saturday. Gradishar played both football and basketball in high school but choose to play football for Ohio State. He was a three-year starter for the Buckeyes and was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection for the Denver Broncos at linebacker.

Holtz started as an assistant coach in the 1960’s and later became a head coach at numerous stops inclduing Notre Dame. Holtz won 100 games for the Irish. He is currently an ESPN college football analyst.

The list includes Lisa Cline, Chris “Beanie” Wells, Troy Smith, and Bob Golic.

Penguins have solid rounds in Virginia

The Youngstown State men’s golf team finished 18th at the Middleburg Bank Intercollegiate hosted by William & Mary. The three-day event was held at the Kingsmill Resort-River Course. Leading the way for YSU was Bill Gaffney with under-70 scores for his final two rounds. Gaffney had a 214 for the tournament to finish six shots behind the leader. After opening up the event with a 77, he responded with a 68 on Monday and had a 69 on Tuesday.

As a team, the Penguins had rounds of 311, 296 and 296 to finish with a three-day total of 903. Radford won the event with an 859.

Other finishers for YSU included Brandon Pluchinsky with a 227 (76-74-77) and Bryan Yeo finished with a 230 (79-76-75).

Herren scheduled to speak at YSU

Chis Herren, formerly of the NBA’s Boston Celtics, will speak about his struggle and triumph over addiction on Monday, March at 7 p.m. at the Beeghly Center on the Youngstown State campus.

The event is free and open to the public and campus community.

Herren, an author, motivational speaker, and sobriety advocate, will be discussing his personal struggle with substance abuse during his career.

Hoang wins USTA tournament

Vy Hoang won the 2015 United States Tennis Assoication (USTA) Mentor Heisley Spring Classic in the girls’ 14 division.

Hoang, of Vienna, defeated the No. 1 seeeded Denna Ali 0-6, 6-2, 10-8 in the semifinals and the No. 2 seeded Amy Zhou 5-7, 6-4, 10-6 in the finals of the three day tournament.

Hoang plans to attened Ursuline in the fall.

Sun Devils fire Sendek after nine seasons

Arizona State has fired coach Herb Sendek after nine seasons as coach.

Sendek led the Sun Devils to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in five years in 2013-14, but the team took a step back this season. The Sun Devils finished 18-16 to miss the NCAA Tournament and lost their second-round NIT game to Richmond on Sunday.

Sendek had a short meeting with Arizona State athletic director Ray Anderson on Tuesday morning before the decision was made.

Sendek went 159-137 at Arizona State with two NCAA Tournament appearances. He previously coached at North Carolina State and Miami (Ohio).

Roadrunners win NAIA championship

Jordan Bowling had 18 points and seven rebounds, Anthony Hilliard added 14 points and Dalton State (Ga.) College cruised to a 71-53 victory over Westmont (Calif.) College in the NAIA national championship game on Tuesday.

Hilliard hit a deep 3-pointer as time expired in the first half to give Dalton State a 16-point lead.

Sean Tate drilled a 3-pointer with six minutes left in the game to put Dalton State up 53-44 and the Roadrunners never looked back.

Preston Earle contributed 13 points for Dalton State (32-4) and LaDaris Green grabbed 11 rebounds.

Cory Blau had 17 points for Westmont (25-11).

Staff/wire reports