SPORTS DIGEST || AJGA seeking volunteers

AJGA seeking volunteers

YOUNGSTOWN

The Mill Creek MetroParks Foundation American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) Junior All-Star Event is accepting volunteers for the week-long tournament presented by Youngstown Live that runs June 19-23.

Volunteers will be needed for timing stations, live scoring shuttle drivers, hydration rovers, scorecard runners and CPR/AED certified medics. There are approximately 75-100 shifts available over the course of the week.

High school and College students in need of community service hours will be awarded letters for their service. Each volunteer will receive an AJGA logo hat and pin, as well as a chance to watch the event from inside the ropes.

Local juniors who are between the ages of 12-15 will have the chance to qualify for the AJGA tournament in an event set to take place on May 28. Mill Creek Golf Course will be hosting the local qualifier.

Nyquist a heavy favorite at Preakness

BALTIMORE

Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist will start from the No. 3 gate Saturday in the Preakness as the overwhelming favorite in the 11-horse field.

Unbeaten in eight races, Nyquist was installed the 3-5 morning-line choice at Wednesday’s draw.

The selection was justified, according to Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, who will saddle new shooter Collected.

Baffert says of Nyquist: “I’d probably be surprised if he didn’t win. He’s going to be tough to beat.”

Starting from the 13th post position in the Derby, Nyquist won the 20-horse race by 1 1/4 lengths over Exaggerator. Nyquist can expect far less traffic against a smaller field at the Preakness, which covers 1 3/16th miles at Pimlico Race Course.

Nyquist trainer Doug O’Neill enters the Preakness seeking to keep alive his hopes of winning the Triple Crown. A year ago, American Pharoah became the 12th Triple Crown winner and the first since Affirmed in 1978.

Exaggerator has the best odds behind Nyquist at 3-1. The horse, trained by Keith Desormeaux, drew the fifth post position.

Stradavari, at 8-1, was the third choice, as selected by Pimlico handicapper Keith Feustle.

The race is scheduled for around 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. The field includes Lani, a Japanese-bred horse who finished ninth in the Derby, and eight new shooters.

From the pole: Cherry Wine, Uncle Lino, Nyquist, Awesome Speed, Exaggerator, Lani, Collected, Laoban, Fellowship, Awesome Speed and Abiding Star, Fellowship and Stradavari.

Cowboys sign Elliott for $25 million

IRVING, TEXAS

Ezekiel Elliott has signed a four-year contract with the Dallas Cowboys that includes a $16 million signing bonus and is worth nearly $25 million overall for the Ohio State running back who was the fourth overall draft pick.

Also on Wednesday, the Cowboys signed cornerback Anthony Brown from Purdue, safety Kavon Frazier from Central Michigan and running back Darius Jackson from Eastern Michigan.

Elliott is only the third running back the Cowboys have taken with a top-20 pick in team history. The other two are Hall of Famers Tony Dorsett and Emmitt Smith.

In his three seasons at Ohio State, Elliott ran for 3,961 yards and 44 touchdowns.

Police records show more violent incidents

WACO, Texas

An ESPN examination of Waco police records over a five-year period has found more allegations of violent incidents involving Baylor football players who were not charged and appeared to face little or no discipline from the team even though coaches and administrators knew about the allegations.

The report, published Wednesday, also found some documents were shielded from public view by officers.

The network obtained a database of assault cases reported to Waco police and matched them against football rosters from 2011 to 2015.

Staff/wire report