Published: Sunday, January 21, 2007
LOCAL
LOCAL
Schedules needed
Area high school athletic directors are requested to submit varsity spring sports schedules.
The schedules can be mailed to P.O. Box 780, Youngstown 44501, faxed to (330) 747-6712 or e-mailed to sports@vindy.com.
Curbstone Coaches
BOARDMAN — Jim Visingardi, a football official of the Mid-American Conference, will speak to the Curbstone Coaches on Monday at noon at Lockwood House.
Rathburn wins
with personal best
FINDLAY — Western Reserve High senior Alex Rathburn won the weight throw at the Oiler Invitational track & field meet at the University of Findlay on Saturday.
Rathburn's throw of 44-1 was a personal record. Her previous best weight throw distance was 42-6, set last week in Marietta. In Findlay, where athletes from Ohio, Michigan and Tennessee competed, Rathburn also took second in the shot put (37-7).
Track & field
rules meeting
AUSTINTOWN — The Greater Youngstown Track Officials Association will hold a mandatory rules meeting at 6 p.m. on Jan. 29 at the Fitch High cafeteria.
Other rules meetings, which begin at 7 p.m., will be held on Feb. 8 (Salem High), Feb. 15 (Boardman High), Feb. 22 (Fitch High), March 15 (Salem High) and March 22 (Boardman High). A 2 p.m. rules meeting will be held March 25 at Fitch High.
All those interested in becoming officials are invited to attend.
Baseball/softball
rules meeting
The OHSAA-mandated state rules interpretation meeting for baseball and softball coaches and umpires is Thursday. The baseball meeting begins at 6 p.m. and the softball meeting is at 7:15 p.m. at Fitch High School.
All coaches and umpires are required to attend. Call John Mang (330-502-6665) for more information.
Little League clinic
TALLMADGE — Little League Baseball and Softball will hold a clinic on a year in the life of Hometown Little League Jan. 27-28, Topics will include 1007 rule changes, the new pitch count rule, safety rules (ASAP) and volunteer sexual predator background checks.
There are currently 15 charters in the Mahoning Valley play Little League. Anyone interested in becoming part of Little League should contact Gary Williams at (330) 518-2706 or e-mail garypres11@aol.com.
Pirates revise
caravan lineup
YOUNGSTOWN — When the Pirates Caravan arrives at the Butler Institute of American Art on Jan. 31, closer Mike Gonzalez won't be part of the team.
That's because Gonzalez was traded to the Braves last week. Filling Gonzalez' spot on the caravan will be General Manager Dave Littlefield.
Also appearing at a noon luncheon will be pitcher Matt Capps, infielder Jose Bautista, pitching coach Jim Colborn and broadcasters Greg Brown and Bob Walk. Tickets cost $15 and include a free ticket to a 2007 Pirates game at PNC Park. Reservations are necessary and may be made by calling (330) 743-1107 ext. 122.
Willis pursues
pro soccer career
YOUNGSTOWN — Ken "Kiki" Willis has decided to forgo the rest of his college eligibility and is pursuing a professional soccer career in the Major League Soccer.
After playing two seasons at Elon University where he was twice an all-Southern Conference pick, Willis, 20, decided to turn pro.
He had tryouts with the LA Galaxy and DC United and is awaiting contact from them. The MLS teams have their pre-season training camps in February.
Willis, a forward/midfielder, is a graduate of Cardinal Mooney High School.
NATION
Pan American boxoffs
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Karl Dargan, a 141-pounder from Philadelphia, stopped Ray Rivera of Kansas City, Mo., in the second round Saturday in the preliminary round of the Pan American Box-Offs.
Dargan had two standing-eight counts, bloodied Rivera's nose and built an 11-2 lead after the first round.
Dargan, a two-time national champion and veteran of the 2003 Pan American Games, joins fellow two-time national champion in Demetrius Andrade in the championship round Sunday. Andrade, from Providence, R.I., took an 11-7 decision over Keith Thurman from Oldsmar, Fla., at 152 pounds.
Other defending national champions to advance were Luis Yanez, 106; Christopher Downs, 178; Adam Willett, 201; Jonte Willis, 201-plus.
Willis, of Tacoma, Wash., overcame an 11-12 deficit entering the final round to win on a tiebreaker against Michael Hunter of Las Vegas. Willis was the runner-up to Mike Wilson of Central Point, Ore., a year ago, but was awarded the title when Wilson failed a drug test. A rematch is set for the final, with Wilson, who also was the 2005 national champion, stopping Lucas Runion of College Park, Md., in the third round. Wilson had a 21-1 lead at the time.
Yanez earned a 14-3 decision over Gabino Saenz of Indio, Calif. The 18-year-old from Duncanville, Texas, already has won the U.S. Championships, National Golden Gloves, National Under-19 and National Police Athletic League.
Reigning 132-pound champion Danny Garcia of Philadelphia failed to make weight for the box-off, and Diego Magadaleno of Las Vegas, advanced on a walkover. He will meet Terence Crawford of Omaha, Neb., in the final.
The two-day box-off pairs four boxers in each of the international weight classes. Sunday's winners will be the U.S. team in the Pan American Games, July 16-29 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. However, each still must qualify internationally before competing in the Pan Am Games.
WORLD
Valuev retains
WBA title
BASEL, Switzerland — Nikolai Valuev retained the WBA heavyweight title Saturday night when American challenger Jameel McCline collapsed in the third round after injuring his left knee.
McCline missed a swing at the 7-foot Russian and fell to the canvas as he tore ligaments in his kneecap. He tried unsuccessfully to stand up several times. Billed as the biggest title fight in history by the promoters, the 6-foot-6 McCline tipped the scales at 268 pounds and the unbeaten Russian at 322 pounds.
Witter successfully defends WBC belt
LONDON — Junior Witter successfully defended his WBC light welterweight title Saturday night, stopping Mexican challenger Arturo Morua in the ninth round.
Referee Tim Adams stopped the fight 2:12 into the ninth round.
Witter improved to 35-1-2 with his 19th knockout.
Vindicator staff/wire reports
Sunday, January 21, 2007
LOCAL
Schedules needed
Area high school athletic directors are requested to submit varsity spring sports schedules.
The schedules can be mailed to P.O. Box 780, Youngstown 44501, faxed to (330) 747-6712 or e-mailed to sports@vindy.com.
Curbstone Coaches
BOARDMAN — Jim Visingardi, a football official of the Mid-American Conference, will speak to the Curbstone Coaches on Monday at noon at Lockwood House.
Rathburn wins
with personal best
FINDLAY — Western Reserve High senior Alex Rathburn won the weight throw at the Oiler Invitational track & field meet at the University of Findlay on Saturday.
Rathburn's throw of 44-1 was a personal record. Her previous best weight throw distance was 42-6, set last week in Marietta. In Findlay, where athletes from Ohio, Michigan and Tennessee competed, Rathburn also took second in the shot put (37-7).
Track & field
rules meeting
AUSTINTOWN — The Greater Youngstown Track Officials Association will hold a mandatory rules meeting at 6 p.m. on Jan. 29 at the Fitch High cafeteria.
Other rules meetings, which begin at 7 p.m., will be held on Feb. 8 (Salem High), Feb. 15 (Boardman High), Feb. 22 (Fitch High), March 15 (Salem High) and March 22 (Boardman High). A 2 p.m. rules meeting will be held March 25 at Fitch High.
All those interested in becoming officials are invited to attend.
Baseball/softball
rules meeting
The OHSAA-mandated state rules interpretation meeting for baseball and softball coaches and umpires is Thursday. The baseball meeting begins at 6 p.m. and the softball meeting is at 7:15 p.m. at Fitch High School.
All coaches and umpires are required to attend. Call John Mang (330-502-6665) for more information.
Little League clinic
TALLMADGE — Little League Baseball and Softball will hold a clinic on a year in the life of Hometown Little League Jan. 27-28, Topics will include 1007 rule changes, the new pitch count rule, safety rules (ASAP) and volunteer sexual predator background checks.
There are currently 15 charters in the Mahoning Valley play Little League. Anyone interested in becoming part of Little League should contact Gary Williams at (330) 518-2706 or e-mail garypres11@aol.com.
Pirates revise
caravan lineup
YOUNGSTOWN — When the Pirates Caravan arrives at the Butler Institute of American Art on Jan. 31, closer Mike Gonzalez won't be part of the team.
That's because Gonzalez was traded to the Braves last week. Filling Gonzalez' spot on the caravan will be General Manager Dave Littlefield.
Also appearing at a noon luncheon will be pitcher Matt Capps, infielder Jose Bautista, pitching coach Jim Colborn and broadcasters Greg Brown and Bob Walk. Tickets cost $15 and include a free ticket to a 2007 Pirates game at PNC Park. Reservations are necessary and may be made by calling (330) 743-1107 ext. 122.
Willis pursues
pro soccer career
YOUNGSTOWN — Ken "Kiki" Willis has decided to forgo the rest of his college eligibility and is pursuing a professional soccer career in the Major League Soccer.
After playing two seasons at Elon University where he was twice an all-Southern Conference pick, Willis, 20, decided to turn pro.
He had tryouts with the LA Galaxy and DC United and is awaiting contact from them. The MLS teams have their pre-season training camps in February.
Willis, a forward/midfielder, is a graduate of Cardinal Mooney High School.
NATION
Pan American boxoffs
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Karl Dargan, a 141-pounder from Philadelphia, stopped Ray Rivera of Kansas City, Mo., in the second round Saturday in the preliminary round of the Pan American Box-Offs.
Dargan had two standing-eight counts, bloodied Rivera's nose and built an 11-2 lead after the first round.
Dargan, a two-time national champion and veteran of the 2003 Pan American Games, joins fellow two-time national champion in Demetrius Andrade in the championship round Sunday. Andrade, from Providence, R.I., took an 11-7 decision over Keith Thurman from Oldsmar, Fla., at 152 pounds.
Other defending national champions to advance were Luis Yanez, 106; Christopher Downs, 178; Adam Willett, 201; Jonte Willis, 201-plus.
Willis, of Tacoma, Wash., overcame an 11-12 deficit entering the final round to win on a tiebreaker against Michael Hunter of Las Vegas. Willis was the runner-up to Mike Wilson of Central Point, Ore., a year ago, but was awarded the title when Wilson failed a drug test. A rematch is set for the final, with Wilson, who also was the 2005 national champion, stopping Lucas Runion of College Park, Md., in the third round. Wilson had a 21-1 lead at the time.
Yanez earned a 14-3 decision over Gabino Saenz of Indio, Calif. The 18-year-old from Duncanville, Texas, already has won the U.S. Championships, National Golden Gloves, National Under-19 and National Police Athletic League.
Reigning 132-pound champion Danny Garcia of Philadelphia failed to make weight for the box-off, and Diego Magadaleno of Las Vegas, advanced on a walkover. He will meet Terence Crawford of Omaha, Neb., in the final.
The two-day box-off pairs four boxers in each of the international weight classes. Sunday's winners will be the U.S. team in the Pan American Games, July 16-29 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. However, each still must qualify internationally before competing in the Pan Am Games.
WORLD
Valuev retains
WBA title
BASEL, Switzerland — Nikolai Valuev retained the WBA heavyweight title Saturday night when American challenger Jameel McCline collapsed in the third round after injuring his left knee.
McCline missed a swing at the 7-foot Russian and fell to the canvas as he tore ligaments in his kneecap. He tried unsuccessfully to stand up several times. Billed as the biggest title fight in history by the promoters, the 6-foot-6 McCline tipped the scales at 268 pounds and the unbeaten Russian at 322 pounds.
Witter successfully defends WBC belt
LONDON — Junior Witter successfully defended his WBC light welterweight title Saturday night, stopping Mexican challenger Arturo Morua in the ninth round.
Referee Tim Adams stopped the fight 2:12 into the ninth round.
Witter improved to 35-1-2 with his 19th knockout.
Vindicator staff/wire reports
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Jim Visingardi, a football official of the Mid-American Conference, will speak to the Curbstone Coaches on Monday at...
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