SPORTS digest

YSU cross country teams impress at ND

Notre Dame, Ind.

The Youngstown State men’s and women’s cross country teams turned in impressive performances at the Joe Piane Notre Dame Invitational on Friday at Burke Golf Course.

The men’s team finished second, which was a program-high at the ND invite. The Penguins were led by a pair of top 10 finishes by seniors Alan Burns and Ryan Sullivan.

Burns finished seventh and posted a personal-best time of of 24:46.02, which is ranks fourth on the YSU all-time five-mile chart.

Sullivan placed eight with a time of 24:47.55. It marks the third straight race that Burns and Sullivan have posted top-10 finishes.

On the women’s side, the Penguins finished 12th and five runners posted personal-best times.

Natalie Fleming turned in a personal-best time of 18:31.74, which ranks 15th in school history in the 5K run. Maggie Sebest posted a time of 18:44.21 while Jennifer Muhlenkamp ran a time of 18:57.23. Mackenzie Scott posted a time of 18:58.22 while Nicole Squatrito ran a 19:09.29.

YSU volleyball snaps 6-game losing streak

Youngstown

The Youngstown State volleyball team snapped its six-game losing streak with a 3-1 win over Wright State in the team’s conference home opener. The scores were 25-22, 16-25, 25-21, 25-22.

Western Reserve graduate Aleah Hughes led the Penguins (7-9, 1-2 Horizon League) with 17 kills, 23 digs and an ace. Teammate Marketa Plesingrova had nine kills and six digs.

Teddie Sauer had with 10 kills, eight digs, one ace and a block for the Raiders (9-6, 1-2 HL).

The Penguins will host IUPUI today at 4 p.m at the Beeghly Center.

Little Guys Nationals back at Mercer Raceway

Mercer, Pa.

Mercer Raceway Park will host the 19th annual Little Guys Nationals next weekend.

Pit gates will open at 3 p.m. on Friday, with front gates opening at 4 p.m. Hot laps will commence at 6 p.m. On OCt. 6, the pit gates will open at noon, with the front gates opening at 3 p.m. Racing will start at 4 p.m.

Ticket prices on Friday are $15 for adults and $13 for seniors (60 and over). Students (ages 9-15) tickets cost $7. A family pass costs $32 and pit passes cost $30.

Oct. 6 prices are $17 for adults, $15 for seniors (60+) and $7 for students (9-15).Family pass $35 and pit passes cost $35.

A limited number of VIP boxes and trackside parking spaces are available. Contact the track office at 724-662-1310 for further information and reservations.

LSU basketball player shot to death

BATON ROUGE, La.

LSU basketball player Wayde Sims has died after he was shot near the campus of another school in Baton Rouge.

Police say in a news release that the 20-year-old Sims was shot around 12:30 a.m. Friday near the campus of Southern University. Sgt. Don Coppola Jr. said Sims was taken to a hospital with an apparent gunshot wound and died.

LSU basketball coach Will Wade issued a statement saying the team is devastated. Wade asked for prayers for Sims, his family and the team.

No arrests have been reported.

Sims was entering his junior season at LSU. The A 6-foot-6 forward averaged 5.6 points and 2.6 rebounds per game last year with 10 starts in 32 games.

UCLA’s O’Neal to undergo heart surgery

LOS ANGELES

UCLA freshman Shareef O’Neal will sit out the entire upcoming basketball season because of a heart condition.

The son of Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal didn’t specify the condition in a TMZ Sports video, saying only that “I know it’s something serious and it’s risky.”

O’Neal said he will attend classes and take a medical redshirt. He’s expected to be sidelined for three to four months after undergoing surgery.

Staff/wire reports