SPORTS DIGEST || Abby Jones sets YSU high jump record

Abby Jones sets YSU high jump record

Youngstown State’s Abby Jones set a new school record in the high jump clearing the bar at 1.71m at the historic Penn Relays on Thursday. Jones tied for third in the event with Lebanon Valley’s Olivia Jendrzejewski. She was one of six jumpers to clear 1.71m.

Jones cleared the bar on her first attempts at 1.63 and 1.67 and eclipsed 1.71m on her third and final attempt. The previous YSU record of 1.70m was set by Katrina Rettburg and Makayla Martin on April 28, 2012.

Two named first-team All-Horizon League

The Youngstown State women’s tennis team was represented on the All-Horizon League First-Team by senior Dominika Lackova and junior Noelly Longi Nsimba, the league announced on Thursday.

It is the fourth straight year Lackova was named to the first team while it is Nsimba’s first all-league accolade. Lackova is the 12th tennis player to be named first-team all-league in four straight seasons and joins Marta Burak as the second Penguin to do so.

This year, Lackova had a 12-7 dual record and went 6-3 in Horizon League matches. She played 18 of her 19 matches at No. 1 singles. Nsimba was 15-6 in dual play at 7-2 in league contests. She played 18 matches at No. 2, posting a 14-4 record.

In doubles play, Nsimba teamed up with Ana Stroe posted a 6-0 league record.

The program has had 12 first-team All-Horizon League selections since 2011-12. From 2002 to 2011, the Penguins had a total of 11 all-league honorees, three of which were first-team recipients.

Lackova was also named Academic All-Horizon League.

The Penguins open Horizon League Championships play on Saturday against the winner of Friday’s Detroit-Oakland match at 3 p.m.

Ohio State, Huskies announce series

SEATTLE

Washington and Ohio State have announced a two-game home-and-home series beginning in the 2024 season.

The two schools will meet at Husky Stadium in Seattle on Sept. 14, 2024, and have a date at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Sept. 13, 2025. The schools announced the scheduling agreement on Thursday.

Washington and Ohio State are coming off seasons in which they reached the College Football Playoff, with both falling in the national semifinals. It will be the first scheduled meetings between the programs since 2003 in Columbus and 2007 in Seattle. The schools met 11 times previously but never in a bowl game.

Rondo a ‘long shot’ to return from injury

chicago

If the Chicago Bulls are to extend their postseason, they almost certainly will have to do it without Rajon Rondo.

Rondo has a fractured right thumb, and coach Fred Hoiberg says the backcourt catalyst is a “long shot” to play Game 6 against the Boston Celtics on Friday night. Nor does the coach expect Rondo to be available if a Game 7 is necessary. The veteran guard is scheduled to work out Thursday night. Hoiberg says guard Isaiah Canaan will start in Rondo’s place for a second straight game. The Celtics lead the first-round series 3-2. Since Rondo injured his hand in Game 2, Boston won three straight.

Two groups still bidding for Marlins

new york

Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred says two groups are still bidding to buy the Miami Marlins from Jeffrey Loria.

One of the groups includes former New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.

Speaking Thursday at the groundbreaking for the Jackie Robinson Museum, Manfred said: “There is no agreement in place. We’re working with more than one group.”

Asked for additional details, Manfred said: “we still have two groups involved in the process” and “there is not a signed document on any topic.” Regarding a timeline, he said, “the timeline is relatively short; it would be measured in days, not months.”

Staff/Wire reports