SPORTS DIGEST || Four locals among YSU track signees

Four locals among YSU track signees

YOUNGSTOWN

Four area athletes are among 12 who have signed their National Letters of Intent with Youngstown State’s track and field teams.

Distance runners Maggie Sebest (Poland), Lauren Dolak (Austintown Fitch) and Charlotte Crouch (Lakeview) join the Penguins womens team. Lisbon high jumper and reigning state runner up Seth Stokes joins the mens team.

Crouch took fourth in last year’s state tournament in the 800 for Division III. Dolak took sixth in the D-I version of the 800 and Sebest is a Mahoning County champion in cross country.

Other athletes that signed with YSU include multi-event athlete Olivia Jones (Gloucestershire, England), distance runner MacKenzie Scott (Minerva), multi-event athlete Hailey Puckett (Chillicothe), hurdler Cole Smith (Smithville), javelin thrower Noah Drudy (Aliquippa, Pa.), pole vaulter Jett Murphy (Covington), pole vaulter Wyatt Lefker (Williamsburg) and discus thrower Zach Gehm (Harmony, Pa.).

Wrestler Lawler set for Phantoms game

YOUNGSTOWN

Pro wrestling legend Jerry “The King” Lawler will have a meet-and-greet and sign autographs with fans during the Youngstown Phantoms’ game against Team USA on Dec. 1.

Tickets to meet Lawler start at $12.

‘Fight Doctor’ Pacheco dies at 89 after illness

MIAMI

Fernando “Ferdie” Pacheco, “The Fight Doctor” who served as Muhammad Ali’s ringside physician, has died. He was 89.

Pacheco’s daughter, Tina Louise Pacheco, told The Associated Press that he died Thursday morning at his Miami home after prolonged illness.

Pacheco was born in Tampa and opened a practice in Miami after earning a medical degree from the University of Miami. He met Cassius Clay, who would later become Muhammad Ali, in 1960 when the fighter began training with Angelo Dundee at the 5th Street Gym in Miami Beach.

Pacheco worked as Ali’s cornerman from 1962-1977, which included three successful title bouts. Pacheco has said he left his position after suggesting Ali retire because of serious injuries. Ali fought four more matches, losing three.

Pacheco went on to become a television boxing analyst, as well as a painter and author.

Player kicked off team after anthem flap

WICHITA, Kan.

A Muslim student athlete who refused to observe the national anthem for religious reasons at a basketball game at a western Kansas college has been kicked off the team.

That has ignited concerns over whether Garden City Community College violated the civil rights of 19-year-old Rasool Samir, who continued shooting balls during the anthem Nov. 1, leading to a confrontation with a fan who accused him of disrespecting the flag.

The college says Samir was dismissed for a team rules violation, because he did not leave the court with his teammates when the anthem was played.

The American Civil Liberties Union has voiced concern that Samir may have been disciplined for exercising his First Amendment rights. It’s still gathering information and hasn’t decided whether to sue.

CONCACAF to create League of Nations

MIAMI BEACH, Fla.

Soccer’s governing body in North and Central America and the Caribbean is following the example set by its European counterpart and establishing a League of Nations competition to replace many exhibition games.

CONCACAF said Thursday the event will begin with four dates starting in September 2018 and all 41 of its members will participate.

Nations will be drawn into three leagues bases on level of strength, and the leagues will have promotion and relegation.

The competition will be used as qualifying for the CONCACAF Gold Cup and to determine seeding in World Cup qualifying.

From staff and wire reports