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1201

YSU Penguin Athletics / Basketball Visits Green Bay for Valentine's Day Showdown

« on: February 14, 2012, 04:39:01 PM »

The Youngstown State men's basketball team (14-11, 9-6 Horizon League) looks to pick up its 15th victory of the season when it visits Horizon League foe Green Bay (10-14, 6-8 HL), Tuesday, Feb. 14. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. at the Resch Center and can be heard on 570 WKBN-AM.

The Green Bay Series
This is the 31st meeting between Youngstown State and Green Bay in a series that dates back to 1993. Green Bay owns a 23-7 advantage in the all-time series, but the Guins won the last out this season, 77-47, at the Beeghly Center. A win on Tuesday night would mark the first time YSU has won consecutive games over the Phoenix and mark the first season sweep over the Phoenix. The Guins have not won in Green Bay since a 65-61 victory on March 4, 2003.

About Green Bay
Green Bay is currently 10-14 overall and in eighth place in the Horizon League with a 6-8 league mark. The Phoenix, however, play well at the Resch Center, which is indicative by their 9-2 home record. Alec Brown leads the Phoenix with 13.8 points and 7.7 rebounds per game and he ranks second in the Horizon League with 3.0 blocks per game. Keifer Sykes is also averaging in double figures with 10.3 points per game.

No Sophomore Slump
Sophomore Kendrick Perry, who was named the Horizon League Player of the Week (Feb. 6), is having a tremendous second season for the Guins. Perry, who has scored at least 20 points six times this season, leads the Horizon League in scoring with 16.2 points per game and a 2.0 assist-to-turnover ratio. He also ranks second in steals per game (2.4) and third in assists per game (4.0). Over the last five games, Perry is averaging 24.6 points 3.4 assists and 3.2 steals per game while shooting 56.2 from the field.

Allen in Top 10
With a 3-pointers made against Valparaiso on Feb. 9, junior Blake Allen made his 121st career 3-pointer at Youngstown State. He currently ranks 9th all-time. He needs six more to move into eighth place. He also has 74 3-pointers this season, which ranks second on the single-season list. He is 19 shy of breaking the single-season record of 92 set by Craig Haese in 2000-01.

A Win Will
• Improve YSU to 15-11 on the year and 10-6 in the Horizon League.
• Mark YSU's most league wins since joining the Horizon League in 2001-02,
• Mark YSU's most overall wins since 2000-01.
• Mark YSU's seventh road win of the season.
• Mark the program's eighth win over Green Bay.
• Mark the first season sweep over Green Bay and the first time YSU won consecutive games over the Phoenix.
• Guarantee YSU a winning Horizon League record for the first time in school history.
• Guarantee the first winning regular-season record since 2000-01.
• Mark Head Coach Jerry Slocum's 653rd career victory and his 73rd at Youngstown State.
• Mark YSU's 1,007th victory in the program's history.

Need to Hit the Glass
Coaches often talk of the importance of rebounding and for the Guins it is vital to success. When the Guins outrebound their opponents they own a record of 9-0.

Guins Set League Mark
With Kendrick Perry's weekly award, Youngstown State became the first program in Horizon League history to have five different players earn player-of-the-wee accolades. Perry joins senior DuShawn Brooks (Dec. 5), junior Damian Eargle (Jan. 2), senior Ashen Ward (Jan. 9) and junior Blake Allen (Jan. 23) as recipients of the award this year.

To Catch a Thief
With a career-high seven steals against Loyola on Feb. 5, sophomore Kendrick Perry set the YSU sophomore record for steals in a season with 56. He currantly has 61 steals this season and just four more to set the single-season mark for steals. With 101 career steals, Perry also needs just three more to move into 10th on the all-time list.

200 3's in Back-to-Back Season
For the first time in school history, the Guins have made at least 200 3-pointers in consecutive seasons. The Guins made 11 against UIC on Feb. 2 to reach the mark and now have 217 made 3-pointers, which are the second most in school history. Last season, the Guins made a school record 235 3-pointers. The previous record was 199 made during the 1997-98 school year.

Eargle Has Chance For 1,000
In under three seasons of playing college basketball, junior Damian Eargle has scored more than 800 points with 869. Eargle needs just 131 more points to reach 1,000 for his entire career, which includes 268 points during the 2008-09 season at UNC-Greensboro. Last season, Eargle ranked second on the squad with 339 points for an average of 11.3 points per game.

Perry On His Way to 700 Points
Sophomore Kendrick Perry could become the 33rd player in school history to score 1,000 career points. In just 55 career games, Perry has scored 675 points and needs 325 more to reach the coveted plateau. For his career, he is averaging 12.3 points per game, including a 16.2 points per game scoring average this year.

Ward Now Into 6th
With 44 3-pointers this season, senior Ashen Ward now ranks sixth all-time with 141 career 3-pointers. He needs three more to move into fifth place on the list.

Hold Under 70
Another ingredient for the Guins to be successful is to hold their opponents under 70 points. YSU is 14-4 when not allowing its opponents to score 70 points or more.

KP Hits Career High
Sophomore Kendrick Perry scored a career-high 30 points on 9-of-16 shooting from the field, including four 3-pointers. Perry became the first YSU player to score 30 points since DeAndre Mays scored 30 against Loyola on Jan. 9, 2010.

Perry First Soph With 30 in 20 Years
With his 30-point performance against Milwaukee, Kendrick Perry became the first YSU sophomore to score at least 30 points since Mike Alcorn scored 35 on Feb. 24, 1992.

Allen Had Career Night
Junior Blake Allen set a career scoring high with 27 points on 8-of-10 shooting from the field against Milwaukee on Jan. 20. Allen also tied a career high with seven 3-pointers against the Panthers. He made seven 3-pointers against Penn State on Nov. 23, 2011. It also marked his third 20-point outing this season.

Eargle Block Party
Junior Damian Eargle has recorded a block in every game this season. He has posted multiple blocks in 22 of 25 games and has swatted at least three blocks in 20 games.

KP Back-to-Back 100-Assist Seasons
With three assists against Valparaiso on Feb. 11, sophomore Kendrick Perry reached to 100-assist mark for the second straight season. He is the first place since DeAndre Mays (2008-10) to post back-to-back 100-assist seasons. It also marks the fourth straight year and the sixth time in the last seven seasons that a YSU players has recorded at least 100 assists in a season.

The Starting Line
• The Guins have had the same starting lineup in all 25 games.
• Four starters are averaging in double figures in all games.
• All five starters are scoring in double figures in Horizon League games only.
• Each starter has posted at least one 20-point outing.
• Four starters rank in the top 20 in scoring in the Horizon League.
• Starters account for 89 percent of the Guins' scoring.

Guins Setting Record Pace
The Guins have made 217 3-pointers in 25 games this season for an average of 8.7 3-pointers made per game. They are on pace to break the school's single-season mark of 235 set last year. If YSU continues this pace over the next five guaranteed games, they will finish the season with 260 3-pointers made.

Eargle Second to 100 Blocks
Junior Damian Eargle has 101 blocks in 25 games this season, which ranks second on the YSU single-season list. He needs 38 more to set the single-season mark of 138 set by Ricky Tunstall in 1982-83. His 91 blocks last season now rank third on the list.

Up Next
The Guins visit former Ohio Valley Conference foe Austin Peay, Saturday, Feb. 18, in the 2012 Sears Bracketbusters. Tipoff is set for 8:30 p.m. EDT in Clarksville, Tenn.

Eargle Now Second
Junior Damian Eargle has moved into second place on the YSU career blocks chart in just 55 games played. Eargle has 192 blocked shots. The only player ahead of Eargle is Ricky Tunstall, who recorded 221 career blocks. He needs 30 more blocks to set the school's all-time blocks record. Counting his 57 blocks at UNC-Greensboro, Eargle has reached 249 blocked shots for his entire college career.

Guins Set 3's Mark Again
For the third time this season, the Guins tied the school single-game record with 14 3-pointers made in a game against Buffalo on Dec. 10. The Guins tied the school single-game mark with 14 3-pointers game against Penn State on Nov. 23. and Notre Dame College on Nov. 15. The previous time YSU made 14 3 pointers in a game was against Butler on Jan. 9, 2011. Against the Bulls, the Guins also tied the school single-game mark for most 3-point field goals attempted with 35.

1202

YSU Penguin Athletics / Baseball Hopes Newcomers, Added Mound Depth Will Bring Success in 2012

« on: February 14, 2012, 04:36:05 PM »

The Youngstown State baseball team was within eight outs of playing in the Horizon League Tournament Championship round last year. Despite a regular season where wins and runs were at a premium and the pitching staff was depleted with injuries, fifth-year head coach Rich Pasquale and the Penguins enter this season knowing that the separation between them and a title is far from insurmountable.

"We've talked about how big it was for this program to be so close to playing in the championship game," Pasquale said. "It just showed that we have the talent to win here, and our returners understand what it takes to win."

Although the Penguins lost two greats in pitcher Phil Klein, a 30th-round draft pick of the Texas Rangers, and four-year starting outfielder Joe Iacobucci, a talented crop of 17 newcomers - more than half the roster - should add depth to the pitching staff and make the line-up more potent.

"Right at the top of our strengths is going to be our pitching staff, both with the number and quality of arms," Pasquale said. "We have a solid 1-2 punch and three or four guys that can to be in that No. 3 role. I'm excited about our options this year."

"Offensively, we have some good veterans with (Jeremy) Banks and (David) Leon who I think are going to have very good years."

The top two starting pitchers heading into the year will both be new to the staff, but they both have Division I experience. Klein will be replaced at the top of the rotation by sophomore Patrick O'Brien, who pitched at Bowling Green in 2010 out of nearby Boardman High. A 6-foot-2 right-hander, O'Brien had four wins and six saves as the Falcons' closer his freshman year. Right behind him will be Pat Shedlock, a 6-foot righty who has pitched previously at Cleveland State and Cuyahoga Community College.

"O'Brien has a quality arm with good run on his two-seam fastball, and he throws his off-speed pitches for strikes," Pasquale said. "He's really looking forward to being the No. 1 guy. Shedlock's familiarity with the Horizon League from his time at Cleveland State is going to help him out."

There are a trio of players fighting for the final weekend spot - right-handers Robert Switka and Joey Gajda and southpaw Blake Aquadro.

Switka made 15 starts last season and pitched 83.2 innings, and he was better than his 2-8 record. He posted a quality start in seven of his final 11 outings, and the Youngstown native received two runs of support or fewer in seven of his losses. Gajda is a junior transfer from Oakton Community College who earned all-conference accolades. Aquadro struggled in the early part of last season, but he was very solid in May with a 1.82 ERA in 24.2 innings. He did not allow an earned run in 9.1 innings while earning a win and a save in the Horizon League Tournament.

"Switka had some very good outings for us last year because he just grinds it out on the mound," Pasquale said. "Gajda brings a good fastball and command of off-speed pitches. Aquadro's experience in the playoffs gave him a lot of confidence. His fastball has picked up, and he had a tremendous fall."

The two pitchers who do not earn the final weekend starting spot will be a big part of the bullpen and start during the middle of the week. Pasquale also said the third starter could be different from week to week based on matchups.

"As a group, the pitchers have good confidence and good work ethic," Pasquale said. "When they're on the mound, they're locked in. That's something I feel very good about with these guys. They're being coached well, too, with Eddie Marko. They have good confidence and good work ethic. When they're on the mound, they're locked in. That's something I feel very good about with these guys."

Eight different pitchers made starts last season, and only three worked exclusively out of the bullpen. That's something Pasquale hopes to change this season. With the large number of quality starting pitchers, the Penguins should be able to have more defined roles for their relievers.

A trio of right-handers have stood out to be the mainstays in the back end with returners Kevin McCulloh and Nic Manuppelli setting up Nick DiBartolomeo. McCulloh started last season as the No. 2 starter and made seven starts before shifting to the bullpen. In 15 relief appearances, he had a 3.58 ERA over 27.2 innings. It was well below that before an arm injury hampered him down the stretch. Injury limited Manuppelli to just two appearances in May, just as he was beginning to settle in. The sophomore allowed just one earned run over his final 10 innings. DiBartolomeo is a freshman from just across the Pennsylvania border in Hermitage who was an Under Armour Pre-Season High School All-America selection heading into his senior year.

Left-hander Alex Frey is coming off of a lost season from Tommy John surgery, and his health should continue to improve as a match-up specialist. He and Aquadro are the lone southpaws on the staff. In addition to DiBartolomeo, Pasquale is excited about the potential of fellow freshmen Russ Harless, Ryan Krokos, Ryan Martin, Josh North and Brad Smith.

A new format to Horizon League series should also help the Penguins. Instead of playing one game on Friday and two on Saturday in the normal rotation, all teams will play single games on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. That will give relief pitchers more rest in between games, and it could allow them to pitch more regularly.

To help the pitching staff, the Penguins look forward to another strong year defensively. Last season, the Penguins led the Horizon League with a .966 fielding percentage, and leading the conference again is a big goal for Pasquale in 2012.

Although offense was down across the country last season with the introduction of new bat standards, YSU's offense took a sizeable step down from 2010's record-breaking campaign. With a lot of new faces in the line-up, the Penguins ranked last in the conference in slugging, on-base percentage and runs, and only Cleveland State had a lower batting average.

While improving in the rankings would obviously be a step in the right direction, Pasquale said the Penguins will need to continue to focus on situational hitting and fundamentals at the plate.

"We have to be able to move the baseball and have good bat control," the fifth-year head coach said. "We have lots of new guys stepping in, and they'll have to stay focused on what their job is at a given moment."

To help with run production, Pasquale was able to bring in two junior college stars who are from the Youngstown area. Sophomore outfielder Marcus Heath originally signed with Cincinnati out of Badger High, and, after a redshirt year with the Bearcats, he was dominant at Sinclair Community College. Heath was the conference player of the year and a Second-Team All-America pick, batting .430 with nine home runs, 58 RBIs and a school-record 20 doubles. Junior catcher and Canfield graduate Jake Kucek also has a good chance to be an impact bat for the Penguins. Also a Second-Team All-America selection, Kucek posted the third-best batting average in the country at .481 for Cuyahoga Community College.

Heath and Kucek, both right-handed hitters, will be joined by a trio of talented left-handed hitters in the top half of the order.

Leon returned after a redshirt year to bat .268 with 21 runs and three home runs. He started as the leadoff hitter 40 times in 2011, but Pasquale is planning on moving him into the middle of the lineup to give him more RBI opportunities this year. Leon will enter the year without a cemented position, but he could DH or play second, third or shortstop.

Banks started 53 games at first base - plus two at DH - last year and led the Penguins with a .300 batting average while adding team highs in home runs, hits, RBIs and slugging percentage. He finished the year strongly by batting .363 in May, and he has hit at least .300 in all three of his seasons.

Sophomore third baseman Drew Dosch was a Horizon League All-Newcomer selection last season, batting .262 with 15 runs and 11 RBIs. He had just one extra-base hit during the year, but Pasquale attributes that to bad luck on hitting line drives right at fielders. Dosch hit .615 during the final week in March to earn Horizon League Batter-of-the-Week accolades, but he missed three weeks right after with an injury. Dosch has signed to play in the Cape Cod League this summer and will be the first Penguin to play in the prestigious league.

Sophomore Phil Lipari was terrific as a middle infielder last season, and any offense he provides will be a bonus. Although he was limited to pinch-running duties with a hand injury during May, he drove in 14 runs and stole six bases last year. He's slated to be the everyday shortstop this season. Freshman Jack Graham, a 50th-round draft pick by the Chicago White Sox out of Seneca Valley High, figures to be the starting second baseman at the season's outset.

Freshman Weston Weiss and junior Padraic Williams will also see time in the infield. Weiss hit .455 as a junior at Reynoldsburg High, but he was set back by injuries as a senior. Williams hit .176 last year while splitting time between the infield and the mound.

Pasquale has been very complimentary of Craig Goubeaux's progress at the plate and defensively at catcher. Goubeaux batted .223 last year, and Kucek and he should both help YSU control the running game better this season. Girard graduate Ryan Trimbur is a walk-on who could also see time behind the plate.

The front-runners to join Heath in the outfield are sophomore Chris Mitko and freshman Kevin Hix. Mitko hit .300 with nine RBIs over his final eight games, and he did not make an error in 46 chances in the outfield last season. He's likely to start in center field as last year's starter, Neil Schroth, continues to battle a shoulder injury. Schroth hit .297 last season.

There is plenty of depth off the bench in the outfield with four more players who will try to break into the line-up. Sophomores David Saluga and Dan Hurlimann will be joined by freshmen Jason Shirley and Harrison Martin.

Youngstown State begins the 2012 season on Friday against Canisius at 1:30 p.m.

1203

YSU Penguin Athletics / Experience, Leadership Key to Softball Success in 2012

« on: February 14, 2012, 04:32:07 PM »

From 2009 to 2011, the Youngstown State softball program nearly tripled its win total from 8 to 22 and showed marked improvement in all phases of the game. And the Guins did it with many young and inexperienced players.

Now as the Guins prepare for the start of the 2012 season, they enter the campaign with the most experienced squad during Head Coach Brian Campbell's tenure. The Guins have four seniors, four juniors and a total of 15 returning letterwinners and eight starters.

Included in that group are six players that have appeared in at least 79 games and all four seniors have played in at least 126 contests during their careers.

"There is no question this is our most veteran group," Campbell said. "We have the necessary leadership from our upperclassmen, but we also have a group of talented younger players that are going to play significant roles for us this season."

Over the last two seasons, the Guins turned in the two best offensive seasons in program history, but Campbell feels his team's improved defense and deeper pitching staff will be the key to its success this year.

"We have been fortunate to be able to score a lot of runs over the last couple of seasons," Campbell said. "We have also been making strides defensively and in our pitching. I think our experience this season will even enhance from a defensive standpoint."

Pitching
Last year, the Guins received two solid seasons from two young hurlers in Casey Crozier and Hana Somogyi.

Crozier, a sophomore, became the first freshman in seven years to win at least 10 games and led the Guins with 12 wins and 97 strikeouts.

Somogyi, a junior, showed a vast amount of improvement from her rookie campaign to last year. Somogyi picked up nine victories with 72 strikeouts during her sophomore season compared to just one win and just 15 whiffs as a freshman.

"We have a very deep pitching staff led by Casey and Hana," Campbell said. "But I also like what freshman Kayla Haslett and Paige Miller bring to us. We have a staff in which all four pitchers bring something different.

Haslett helped lead Ambridge Area High School to the 2011 state playoffs and was named the 2011 Beaver County Times Softball Player of the Year. In 2010, Haslett struck out 144 and finsihed with a 0.97 earned run average.

Miller, a 6-foot right-hander, was a two-time all-state selection and set the school records for career strikeouts with 481 and career earned-run average of 0.75. She also set the single-season mark with a 0.19 earned-run average as a senior.

Catcher
A significant strength for the Guins in 2012 will be behind the plate. Junior Vicky Rumph and senior Amanda Palmore will be charged with protecting the dish and working with the Guins' hurlers.

Rumph, who also played third base last year, batted .303 with doubles, four home runs and 27 runs batted in. Rumph also scored 20 runs.

Palmore posted a .283 batting average and .441 on-base percentage in 2011. Palmore was most effective with two outs, batting .368 and driving in nine runs.

Freshman Kaitlyn Kite is also expected to see some time behind the plate. Kite, a second-team all-state pick, finished her career at West Liberty-Salem High School with a .483 batting average, 28 home runs and 132 runs batted in.

Infield
With the departures of Kim Klonowski and Kristina Rendle, the Guins lost the entire right side of the 2011 infield.

This season, Campbell has decided to do some shuffling in an effort to improve the entire infield.

"We are fortunate that we have players that are versatile to play different positions and we are going to utilize that to strengthen us," Campbell said.

The biggest change will be up the middle. Three-year starting shortstop Kristen Philen, who has started 140 games at shortstop, will slide over to second base to fill the void left by Rendle.

"Kristen showed a lot of maturity and was on board with her moving to second base." Campbell said. "She has great hands, mobility and arm strength and will be a great fit at that spot."

Freshman Brooke Meenachan, a four-year letterwinner at Boardman High School, is also slated to see some action at second base. Meenachan was a four-year all-conference pick and batted .561 with 17 stolen bases and 26 runs batted in last season.

So to fill slot at shortstop with Philen's shift to second is freshman Samantha Troxell. Troxell, from Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, was a second-team all-state pick in 2010 and a two-time all-district selection.

Sophomores Sarah Ingalls and Courtney Ewing are slated to move to first base. Ewing appeared in 21 games last season and batted .200 while Ingalls played in 20 games and also batted .200.

Sophomore Samantha Snodgrass, who will start at third base, is the lone infielder remaining in the same position as last season. Snodgrass batted .233 with two home runs, three doubles and drove in 17 runs.

Outfield
The most experience area of the 2012 team is the outfield. Seniors Jordan Ingalls and Haley Thomas, who both have played the last 146 games, are set to patrol the outfield in right and center field, respectively.

Ingalls, a All-Horizon League First-Team selection in 2011, led the league with a .385 batting average and and posted nine doubles, four triples, five home runs and drove in 40 runs.

Thomas, who ranks second in school history with 106 career runs and owns a .338 career batting average, batted .313 with 10 doubles, seven home runs and 27 runs batted in during the 2011 season.

Juniors Sarah Gabel and Caroline Krombach are expected to see most of the time in left field.

Gabel, who appeared in 42 games with 39 starts, turned in a solid sophomore campaign batting .294 with seven doubles, a triple and 15 RBIs.

Krombach, who played in 24 games before an injury, batted .260 and scored 12 runs last season.

Sophomores Kelly Fox and Shayla DeCapita are also expected to see time all three outfield slots.

Designated Player
At the designated player slot, Campbell expects to use Palmore and sophomore Haley Knight as the DP.

Knight, who played 23 games last season, batted .286 with two doubles and scored six runs in 2011.

The Guins open the 2012 season at the South Carolina-Upstate Spartan Invitational against UNC-Wilmington on Feb. 17 at 2 p.m.

1204

YSU Penguin Athletics / Tonight at Beeghly: Basketball Hosts HL Leader Valpo

« on: February 11, 2012, 08:59:58 AM »

The Youngstown State men's basketball team (13-11, 8-6 Horizon League) hosts Horizon League leader Valparaiso, Saturday, Feb. 11. Tipoff is set for 7:05 p.m. at the Beeghly Center and can be heard on 570 WKBN-AM.

The Valparaiso Series
This is the 34th meeting between Youngstown State and Valparaiso in an all-time series that dates back to 1989. The Crusaders own a 26-7advantage in the all-time series and have won the last 14 contests. Earlier this season, the Crusaders defeated the Guins, 76-62, in Valparaiso, Ind. Last season at the Beeghly Center, the Guins fell to the Crusaders, 86-78, in overtime. The last time YSU defeated Valparaiso was a 55-49 victory on Jan. 15, 2000.

About Valparaiso
Valparaiso is currently 18-8 overall and leads the league with an 11-3 record. Ryan Broekhoff leads the team with 15.3 points and a league-high 8.6 rebounds per game. Kevin Van Wijk is averaging 14.5 points per game and 5.2 rebounds per contest.

No Sophomore Slump
Sophomore Kendrick Perry, who was named the Horizon League Player of the Week (Feb. 6), is having a tremendous second season for the Guins. Perry leads the Horizon League in scoring with 16 points per game and a 2.0 assist-to-turnover ratio. He also ranks second in steals per game (2.4) and third in assists per game (4.0).

Allen in Top 10
With a 3-pointers made against Butler on Feb. 9, junior Blake Allen made his 120th career 3-pointer at Youngstown State. He currently ranks 9th all-time. He also has 73 3-pointers this season, which ranks second on the single-season list. He is 20 shy of breaking the single-season record of 92 set by Craig Haese in 2000-01.

A Win Will
• Improve YSU to 14-11 on the year and 9-6 in the Horizon League.
• Mark YSU's most league wins since joining the Horizon League.
• Mark YSU's most overall wins since 2006-07.
• Mark YSU's eighth home win of the season.
• Mark the program's eighth win over Valparaiso.
• Snap a 14-game losing streak to Valparaiso.
• Mark the first win over Valparaiso since 2000.
• Mark Head Coach Jerry Slocum's 652nd career victory and his 72nd at Youngstown State.
• Mark YSU's 1,006th victory in the program's history.

KP Player of the Week
Sophomore Kendrick Perry was named the Horizon League Player of the Week (Feb. 6) after averaging 25.7 points, 4.0 assists and 3.7 steals per game and leading YSU to a 2-1 record last week. His award marks the fifth time a YSU player has garnered the award this season, which is a league record.

Guins Set League Mark
With Kendrick Perry's weekly award, Youngstown State became the first program in Horizon League history to have five different players earn player-of-the-wee accolades. Perry joins senior DuShawn Brooks (Dec. 5), junior Damian Eargle (Jan. 2), senior Ashen Ward (Jan. 9) and junior Blake Allen (Jan. 23) as recipients of the award this year.

To Catch a Thief
With a career-high seven steals against Loyola on Feb. 5, sophomore Kendrick Perry set the YSU sophomore record for steals in a season with 56. He also needs just nine more to set the single-season mark for steals. With 96 career steals, Perry also needs just eight more to move into 10th on the all-time list.

200 3's in Back-to-Back Season
For the first time in school history, the Guins have made at least 200 3-pointers in consecutive seasons. The Guins made 11 against UIC on Feb. 2 to reach the mark and now have 212 made 3-pointers, which are the second most in school history. Last season, the Guins made a school record 235 3-pointers. The previous record was 199 made during the 1997-98 school year.

Need to Hit the Glass
Coaches often talk of the importance of rebounding and for the Guins it is vital to success. When the Guins outrebound their opponents they own a record of 8-0.

Eargle Has Chance For 1,000
In under three seasons of playing college basketball, junior Damian Eargle has scored more than 800 points with 860. Eargle needs just 140 more points to reach 1,000 for his entire career, which includes 268 points during the 2008-09 season at UNC-Greensboro. Last season, Eargle ranked second on the squad with 339 points for an average of 11.3 points per game.

Ward Now Into 6th
With 43 3-pointers this season, senior Ashen Ward now ranks sixth all-time with 140 career 3-pointers. He needs four more to move into fifth place on the list.

Hold Under 70
Another ingredient for the Guins to be successful is to hold their opponents under 70 points. YSU is 13-3 when not allowing its opponents to score 70 points or more.

KP Hits Career High
Sophomore Kendrick Perry scored a career-high 30 points on 9-of-16 shooting from the field, including four 3-pointers. Perry became the first YSU player to score 30 points since DeAndre Mays scored 30 against Loyola on Jan. 9, 2010.

Guins Nationally
In the most recent NCAA statistics, Youngstown State is scattered throughout the team and individual categories. The Guins ranked ninth with 8.8 3-pointers made per game, 12th with 5.8 blocks per game, 16th with just 11 turnovers per contest and 37th with a .381 3-point percentage. Individually, Damian Eargle ranks third with 4.0 blocks per game, Blake Allen is 14th with 3.0 3-pointers made and 12th with a .453 3-point percentage. Kendrick Perry ranks 12th in the country with 2.4 steals per contest.

Perry First Soph With 30 in 20 Years
With his 30-point performance against Milwaukee, Kendrick Perry became the first YSU sophomore to score at least 30 points since Mike Alcorn scored 35 on Feb. 24, 1992.

Allen Had Career Night
Junior Blake Allen set a career scoring high with 27 points on 8-of-10 shooting from the field against Milwaukee on Jan. 20. Allen also tied a career high with seven 3-pointers against the Panthers. He made seven 3-pointers against Penn State on Nov. 23, 2011. It also marked his third 20-point outing this season.

Eargle Block Party
Junior Damian Eargle has recorded a block in every game this season. He has posted multiple blocks in 21 of 24 games and has swatted at least three blocks in 19 games.

The Starting Line
• The Guins have had the same starting lineup in all 24 games.
• Four starters are averaging in double figures in all games.
• Four starters are scoring in double figures in Horizon League games only.
• Each starter has posted at least one 20-point outing.
• Four starters rank in the top 20 in scoring in the Horizon League.
• Starters account for 89 percent of the Guins' scoring.

Guins Setting Record Pace
The Guins have made 212 3-pointers in 23 games this season for an average of 8.8 3-pointers made per game. They are on pace to shatter the school's single-season mark of 235 set last year. If YSU continues this pace over the next six guaranteed games, they will finish the season with 264 3-pointers made.

Eargle Passes Himself
Junior Damian Eargle has 97 blocks in 24 games this season, which ranks second on the YSU single-season list. He needs 42 more to set the single-season mark of 138 set by Ricky Tunstall in 1982-83. His 91 blocks last season now rank third on the list.

Up Next
The Guins return to the road to take on Green Bay, Tuesday, Feb. 14. Tipoff of is at 8 p.m. EDT at the Resch in Green Bay, Wis.

Eargle Now Second
Junior Damian Eargle has moved into second place on the YSU career blocks chart in just 54 games played. Eargle has 188 blocked shots. The only player ahead of Eargle is Ricky Tunstall, who recorded 221 career blocks. Counting his 57 blocks at UNC-Greensboro, Eargle has reached 245 blocked shots for his entire college career.

Perry On His Way to 700 Points
Sophomore Kendrick Perry could become the 33rd player in school history to score 1,000 career points. In just 54 career games, Perry has scored 652 points and needs 348 more to reach the coveted plateau. For his career, he is averaging 12.1 points per game, including a 16.0 points per game scoring average this year.

Allen Named Player of the Week
Junior guard Blake Allen was named the Horizon League Player of the Week on Jan. 23 after averaging 21.5 points per game and shooting 75 percent from the floor and 76.9 percent from 3-point range. Allen, who led the Guins to a 2-0 record, scored a career-high 27 points against Milwaukee and had 16 against Green Bay.

Ward Named POW
For the first time in his career, senior Ashen Ward was named the Horizon League Player of the Week on Jan. 9. Ward averaged 21.5 points per game and shot at a 63.6 percent clip from the field and 70 percent from 3-point range. He posted consecutive 20-point performances in wins over Loyola (21 points) on Jan. 5 and UIC (22) on Jan. 7.

Eargle Named HL Player of the Week
Junior forward Damian Eargle was named the Horizon League Player of the Week on Jan. 2. Eargle posted his second double-double with a season-high 20 points and 10 rebounds and led the Penguins to a 73-67 win over Cleveland State on Dec. 31. Eargle scored 14 of his points in the second half. He went 8-of-11 from the field. It marks the first time in his YSU career Eargle has won the league accolade.

Brooks Named Player of the Week
Senior DuShawn Brooks was named the Horizon League Player of the Week for Dec. 5. Brooks averaged 20.5 points per game and shot 61.5 percent from the field and 64.3 percent from 3-point range. He scored a career-high 24 points against Detroit on Dec. 1 to lead the Guins to a 64-61 win. He also led the team with 17 points in a one-point loss to Wright State on Dec. 3.

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YSU Penguin Athletics / Coaches defend YSU WR recruit

« on: February 08, 2012, 06:40:43 AM »

By Joe Scalzo

scalzo@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

When Eric Wolford was hired at Youngstown State two years ago, he made it clear he didn’t want players with questionable character.

“We have got to lay a foundation here for the future,” Wolford said in August 2010. “We’re not trying to do a quick fix. We want to bring in good character people.”

While he was willing to take on an occasional academic risk, he’s shied away from players with checkered backgrounds.

Until last week.

Byron Pringle, a wide receiver out of Tampa’s Robinson High, was one of 19 players to sign letters-of-intent on Feb. 1. He’s easily the most controversial.

Pringle missed his junior year following his July 2010 arrest for his role in a South Tampa crime spree. He received four year’s probation and 100 hours of community service and wrote apology letters to five victims, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Despite a solid senior season, all but two FCS schools shied away from him: Bethune Cookman and Youngstown State.

“He’s a guy I thoroughly researched,” Wolford said. “I know sometimes there may be concerns but I think Byron is a classic of a guy being at the wrong place at the wrong time.

“I think everyone deserves a second chance.”

Pringle’s signing shows two things. One, Wolford believes Pringle’s potential far outweighs his risk. Two, Wolford feels his program is stable enough to absorb a player with a checkered past, particularly one who will be 1,000 miles from his bad influences.

“I’ll tell you what, I take exception with the words ‘checkered past’ and I take exception with the environment thing,” said Pringle’s high school coach, Mike DePue, who said Pringle was more of a bystander than an active participant in the crime spree. “He made a mistake, no two ways about.

“But he paid his dues and he’s been more than responsive to all the help he’s received.

“Every coach that’s come in, he’s looked them in the eye and said he made a mistake and he’s sorry for what he did. I think coaches shied away from him not because of questions about his character but because of how it would reflect on their program.”

Pringle said as much, telling the Times, “It feels great to have a second chance to play football, doing something I love. I just told [YSU’s coaches] the truth. I told them I was remorseful for what I did and that I’m a changed person.”

Over his 34 years as a coach at Robinson, DePue has coached players such as Kansas City Chiefs DB Javier Arenas, Jacksonville Jaguars WR Greg Ellingson, Purdue DB Frankie Williams and former Kentucky basketball player Desmond Allison, who was also a football standout in high school.

“We’ve had some great, great players at Robinson and I rate him [Pringle] as one of the top five players to come out of our school,” DePue said. “I won’t blow smoke up your [behind] on this. You’re getting a good one.

“If he hadn’t missed his junior year, he’d be one of the top five players in Florida.”

Pringle (6-2, 185) is a physical, explosive athlete whose college future is most likely as a returner and wide receiver. DePue calls him a quiet, intelligent kid who will benefit from being under the microscope.

“I told him when he signed, here’s a chance for you not to start a new life, but a new chapter in your life,” he said. “From the get-go, Youngstown left no stone unturned, talking to everyone from lawyers to teachers. I think they know what they’re getting into.

“And listen, I’ve been doing this for 34 years. If I say a kid ain’t worth it and he’s bad for your program, coaches listen. That’s not Byron. He’s going to be a great player and an exemplary leader for your program.”

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YSU Penguin Athletics / MOVED: Jim Tressel accepts admin job at Akron

« on: February 03, 2012, 01:20:33 PM »

This topic has been moved to Non YSU Sports.

http://ysupenguins.com/forum/index.php?topic=6788.0

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Non YSU Sports / Jim Tressel accepts admin job at Akron

« on: February 02, 2012, 09:26:42 PM »

traitor!!!

1208

YSU Penguin Athletics / Football NLI's as of 8:45am

« on: February 01, 2012, 09:01:41 AM »

Here is the most up-to-date list of the student-athletes Youngstown State has received National Letters of Intent from to play football for the Penguins. (As of 8:40 a.m.)

Matt Bell
6-4 • 285 | Defensive Line
Hickory, Pa. | Hickory

HIGH SCHOOL: First-team Class AA All-Pennsylvania selection as an offensive lineman...named one of the Five Blocks of Granite by myvalleysports.com honoring the top offensive lineman in the Youngstown area...first-team All-District 10 and a first-team All-Region 3 All-Star selection...graded out at 94 percent on the line for the season...offense averaged 35.8 points per game...averaged 11 tackles per game on defense...in 2011, Hickory advanced to the Class AA state quarterfinals losing to Tyrone Area...posted an 11-2 overall mark...Hickory won District 10 title for the first time in 20 years...as a junior, the Hornets were 9-3 and finished second in Region 3, District 10...was the program's first playoff appearance since 2005...three-year starter on the offensive and defensive lines...also competed in track and field...coach was Bill Brest.

Chris Charles

6-0 • 195 | Safety | Junior
Pompano Beach, Fla. | Ellsworth JC | Coral Springs

JUNIOR COLLEGE: Was a first-team Midwest Football Conference selection as a defensive back in 2011...helped guide the team to eight wins as a freshman in 2010...in 2010, started 10 games and was credited with 65 total tackles, including 36 solo stops...team played in The Graphic Edge Bowl following the 2010 regular season...coach was Mike Virden.
HIGH SCHOOL: As a senior, was a 16-2A First Team All-District pick at safety...selected to play in the Dade vs. Broward All-Star Game and the BCAA All-Star Game as a senior...recorded 67 tackles, four forced fumbles and had eight passes defensed his senior season to earn a spot on the Miami Herald First Team 3A-1A All-Broward Team...Miami Herald Third Team 3A-1A All-Broward as a junior...returned two interceptions for touchdown in the same game as a sophomore...coach was Otis Mounds, Sr.... played four years of football...played four years of basketball and competed for three years in track and field...state finalist in the long jump and 400-yard dash...originally signed with Florida International in February 2008.

Julius Childs
5-11 • 175 | Cornerback | Sophomore
Los Angeles, Calif. | Compton College | Lynwood

JUNIOR COLLEGE: In nine games, had 29 total tackles, including 15 solo stops...tied for the team lead with seven pass breakups...returned 25 kickoffs for an average of 24.5 per return...returned a kick 83 yards for a score against East Los Angeles...coach was Sean Fernandez.
HIGH SCHOOL: Played cornerback, wide receiver and returned kicks...as a junior in 10 games had 517 yards rushing on 64 carries and scored seven touchdowns...also caught 28 passes for 386 yards and a score...coach was Mark Williams.

 

Dylan Colucci
6-6 • 300 | Offensive Line
Latrobe, Pa. | Greater Latrobe

HIGH SCHOOL: Was a starter as offensive guard and defensive tackle...named one of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Fabulous 22...selected to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Foothills Conference team on the defensive line...the Wildcats allowed an average of 17.3 points per game, holding five opponents to 13 points or less, with one shutout...offensively Latrobe averaged 19.4 points per game overall - including 28.2 points per game in five Wildcat victories...Wildcats posted a 5-4 record in 2011...coach was Ray Reitz...is a heavyweight wrestler...can bench press 400-plus pounds.
PERSONAL: Parents are Becky and Michael Colucci...brother is the late Zachary Colucci...birthday is April 14...academic interest is engineering.

Brock Eisenhuth
6-5 • 305 | Offensive Line
Johnstown, Pa. | Johnstown

HIGH SCHOOL: An honorable-mention all-state Class AAA selection by PFN...was a first-team all-area selection...played offensive and defensive line...Trojans were 9-2 and earned a share of the LHAC crown... was a second-team all-area selection in 2010...in 2010, the Trojans went 10-2 and averaged 185.6 rushing yards and 201.7 passing yards...Johnstown won the District 6 Class AAA title...played final two years at Johnstown after starting as a freshman and sophomore at Ferndale...coach was Tony Penna Jr.
PERSONAL: Parents are Theresa and Gary Eisenhuth...has two sisters...birthday is April 24...academic interest is criminology.

Jordan Feeser
6-4 • 240 | Tight End
Piqua, Ohio | Piqua

HIGH SCHOOL: Honorable-mention All-Southwest District selection...first team All-GWOC North selection as a tight end...two-year starter at tight end and defensive end...Indians were 6-4 in 2011...coach was Bill Nees...also plays basketball.
PERSONAL: Parents are Lisa and Joe Feeser...has a brother...birthday is Sept. 27...academic interest is education.

Twin Fernandes
6-0 • 185 | Safety | Junior
Buena Park, Calif. | Compton College | Los Alamitos

JUNIOR COLLEGE: Was a unanimous selection as the Mountain Conference American Division Defensive Player of the Year...led the team with 85 total tackles, including 45 solo stops...the 9.4 tackles per game ranked seventh in the Southern California Football Association...credited with 11 tackles for 62 yards in losses...had three pass breakups...had a season-best 13 tackles against San Diego Mesa...had 12 tackles against Santa Monica...credited with 11 stops against LA Southwest and Victor Valley...had 10 against East Los Angeles...as a freshman in 2010 had 40 tackles, including 27 solo stops...credited with four tackles for loss and two forced fumbles...had 125 tackles in just 16 games played in junior college career...coach was Sean Fernandes.
HIGH SCHOOL: As a senior was a first-team All-Sunset League selection...had 66 tackles in 11 games...also scored 10 touchdowns and rushed for 238 on 41 carries...the Griffins posted an 8-3 mark in 2009.
PERSONAL: Parents are Tina and Sean Fernandes...his mother is an assistant track and field coach (sprints) at USC...his dad is the head football coach at El Camino-Compton Center, where he played juco ball.

Terry Johnson
6-2 • 200 | Linebacker
Pinellas Park, Fla. | Countryside

HIGH SCHOOL:

St. Petersburg Times Pinellas County Defensive Player of the Year as a linebacker in 2010...named first-team All-Suncoast...a Pinellas County Athletic Conference First-Team selection (North County)...selected to play for the North squad at the Pinellas County All-Star Football Classic...registered 95 tackles (75 solos) and a sack...returned an interception for a touchdown and had two fumble recoveries...also played running back, finishing with 819 yards and 19 touchdowns during the season...Cougars were 12-1 record and earned a trip to the Class 5A Region 2 Finals, losing to Plant...rushed for 77 yards on 15 carries and scored both touchdowns in the game...also made a spectacular fourth-down stop on Plant running back James Wilder, one of the top seniors in the nation in 2010 and current Florida State Seminole tailback, in the playoffs...the 12 wins set a school record...member of first Countryside senior class to make consecutive trips to the regional finals...posted school's first-ever undefeated regular season in 2010...prior to the season was named as one of Florida's top 25 inside linebackers...coach was Jared Davis.

Chavien Nolcox
6-5 • 210 | Linebacker
Cleveland, Ohio | Villa Angela-St. Joseph

HIGH SCHOOL:

Special-Mention Division VI selection...named to the Northeast Lakes All-District team...set the school record for tackles in a regular season...had 141 tackles, five pass breakups and four sacks as a senior...returned a fumble for a touchdown...had 28 tackles in regional quarterfinal against Berlin Center Western Reserve...named team's defensive MVP...VASJ finished 6-5 in 2011...coach was John Storey...also played basketball and competed in track and field.
PERSONAL: Parents are LaTanya Emerson and Hilary Nolcox...has a sister...birthday is Sept. 13...academic interest is engineering.

Austin Trgovcich
6-3 • 285 | Defensive Lineman
Youngstown, Ohio | Cardinal Mooney

HIGH SCHOOL: First-team Division III All-Ohio selection as an offensive lineman...named one of the Five Blocks of Granite by myvalleysports.com honoring the top offensive lineman in the Youngstown area...first-team All-Northeast Inland District honoree...Cardinal Mooney won Division III State Championship in 2011...Cardinals defeated Shawnee 21-14 in title game...had six tackles, including a sack for a six-yard loss in the championship contest...finished the season 11-3...anchored an offensive line that rushed for over 246 yards per game...coach was P.J. Fecko.

Mac Wightman
6-4 • 295 | Offensive Line
Avon Lake, Ohio | Avon

HIGH SCHOOL: Was a two-year starter on the offensive and defensive lines...all-county and all-conference honoree...honorable-mention All-Northeast Lakes District pick as a junior...Shoremen won four conference titles...coach was Dave Dlugosz (father of former YSU tight end Dennis Dlugosz).
PERSONAL: Parents are Elsle and Dan Wightman...has a brother and a sister...birthday is Dec. 15...academic interest is exercise science.

Christian Wilson
6-6 • 320 | Offensive Line
McKeesport, Pa. | McKeesport Area

HIGH SCHOOL:

Rated as the No. 134 offensive tackle in the country by scout.com...is thought to be top FCS signed offensive tackle in class of 2012...First-team WPIAL Class AAAA Foothills selection...Tigers lost in the first round of the playoffs to finish 6-4...was a two-year starter at right tackle...all-conference selection as a junior...coach was Jim Ward...also played basketball.
PERSONAL: Parents are Cyndi James and Jarrod Wilson...has a sister...birthday is Dec. 18...academic interest is business.

1209

YSU Penguin Athletics / Basketball to Face Austin Peay in 2012 Sears BracketBusters

« on: January 31, 2012, 06:00:36 AM »

The Youngstown State men's basketball team will visit Ohio Valley Conference member Austin Peay on Saturday, Feb. 18, in the 2012 Sears BracketBusters announced on Monday evening. Time is TBA.

The Guins (11-9, 6-4 Horizon) and Governors (9-14, 6-4 OVC) have met 14 times while the Guins were members of the OVC, but have not faced each other since 1988.

The Guins own an 8-6 advantage in the all-time series but the Governors have won the last four meetings.

Youngstown State has not won in Clarksville, Tenn., since a 62-57 victory on Feb. 16, 1984.

The Guins own a 4-4 record in BracketBusters games and are 1-0 against the Ohio Valley Conference, defeating Eastern Kentucky, 66-61, on Feb. 17, 2007.

The Guins visit Milwaukee (14-9, 7-4 Horizon), Tuesday, Jan. 31, at 8 p.m. at U.S. Cellular Arena in Milwaukee, Wis.

1210

YSU Penguin Athletics / YSU defensive coordinator leaves

« on: January 31, 2012, 05:56:25 AM »

By Joe Scalzo

scalzo@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

The Youngstown State University football team is looking for a new defensive coordinator.

St. Petersburg, Fla., native Rick Kravitz will not return after two lackluster seasons as the team’s defensive coordinator, a source familiar with the situation confirmed Monday night.

Kravitz, who also coached linebackers his first year and safeties last fall, oversaw a unit that surrendered 25.7 points per game last season.

Opponents averaged 352.3 yards per game against the Penguins.

YSU gave up a season-high 38 points in a four-point loss to Missouri State in the regular season finale, a defeat that cost the Penguins a playoff berth. MSU scored 28 of those points in the second half.

YSU gave up 31.5 points and 411 yards per game in 2010.

The coaching website FootballScoop.com reported that the team will look outside the program for Kravitz’s replacement.

This is the second coaching change for the Penguins since the season ended. Rollen Smith, the team’s cornerbacks coach last fall, was replaced by South Florida defensive quality control coach Glenn Davis in December.

The rest of the coaches were in the YSU offices Monday, a source said.

1211

YSU Penguin Athletics / Rummage Sale

« on: January 28, 2012, 01:57:27 PM »

Anyone going to the rummage sale? I am heading up soon for it.

1212

YSU Penguin Athletics / Kenya Middlebrooks Breaks Single-Game 3-Point Record in 80-67 Win Over Detroit

« on: January 26, 2012, 09:44:19 PM »

Youngstown – Senior Kenya Middlebrooks set a school single-game record with eight 3-pointers and scored a career-high 30 points and led the Youngstown State women's basketball team to a 80-67 win over Detroit on Thursday evening at the Beeghly Center.

Middlebrooks is the first player to score 30 points since Brandi Brown posted 35 against UIC on March 3, 2011.

The Guins also tied a school record with 15 3-pointers, which was last set in 2005 against IPFW.
Sophomore Melissa Thompson scored a career high with 14 points and junior Brandi Brown added 16 points.

With the win, the Guins improve to 9-10 overall and 3-5 in the Horizon League while the Titans fall to 9-11 overall and 5-3 in the league.

The Guins, who played most of the second half without Brown due to foul trouble, shot an impressive 62.5 percent after halftime and 57.1 percent overall.

Leading the Titans by just five, 41-36, with 15:18 to go, Middlebrooks, who made 6-of-7 3-pointers in the second half, made three triples in the span of 2:39 to build a 10-point edge for the Guins, 50-40, at the 12:39 mark.

The Titans were able to whittle the Guins lead down to eight points four different times before 3-pointers by Monica Touvelle and Middlebrooks put the Guins back up 14, 63-49, with 8:19 remaining.
Middlebrooks' record-tying 3-pointer put the Guins up by 18, 70-52, with 5:40 to go and her record-breaking eighth triple gave the Guins a 75-56 advantage with 3:57 left.

The Guins took command of the game early on making three of their first four 3-point attempts to build a 9-3 advantage at the 17:33 mark. Brown, Middlebrooks and Thompson each connected from downtown to spur the Guins' quick start.

The Guins, who shot 52 percent in the first half, made five of their first seven 3-pointers and made 6-of-11 (54.5 percent) for the half.

Detroit continued to battle and cut the Guins lead down to two, 9-7, and trailed by four, 17-13, before the Guins scored nine straight points - keyed by 3-pointers by Thompson and Middlebrooks - to take a 26-13 lead with 7:24 left remaining.

Detroit's Senee Shearer made consecutive 3-pointers, Detroit first two of the game, to cut the Guins lead down to seven, 26-19, at the 5:34 mark.

After a basket by Brown, Shearer nailed her third triple in two minutes to bring the Titans within six, 28-22, with 5:03 to go.

A jumper and free throw by Heidi Schlegel , a layup by Macey Nortey and a jumper by Brown extended the Guins lead back to 12, 35-23, with 1:39 left.

UDM's Chanti Putnam hit a 3-pointer at the 1:10 mark to end the first half scoring and cut the lead down to 35-26 at halftime.

1213

YSU Penguin Athletics / Ashley Dow Named HL Swimmer of the Week

« on: January 25, 2012, 01:25:28 PM »

Indianapolis, Ind. -- Youngstown State freshman swimmer Ashley Dow (Houston, Texas) has been named the Horizon League Women's Swimmer of the Week for the period of Jan. 16-22. It is the first weekly honor of Dow's YSU career.

Dow took home women's top honors after winning two of the three individual events she entered at the Butler Invitational. Dow's 58.46 winning time in the 100-backstroke and her 2:06.63 time in the 200-backstroke were both season-best times. She also won the 100-yard backstroke in YSU's dual-meet against Wright State.

She helped lead the Penguins to an impressive win at the five-team Butler Invitational on Sunday.

Dow is the first YSU swimmer to be named the Horizon League's swimmer of the week since Samantha Roberts was selected on Jan. 10, 2011.

UIC's Luke Martinez was tabbed the men's swimmer of the week.

The Penguins return to action on Friday when they visit Bowling Green. The dual is set to start at 5:30 p.m.

1214

YSU Penguin Athletics / Blake Allen Named Horizon League and CollegeSportsMadness.com Player of the Week

« on: January 23, 2012, 12:52:04 PM »

Indianapolis, Ind. -- Youngstown State junior guard Blake Allen (Tampa, Fla.) has been named the Horizon League Player of the Week, the league announced on Monday morning. He also garned player-of-the-week honors from CollegeSportsMadness.com.

The accolade is the first of Allen's career, and he helps Youngstown State become the first men's basketball team to have four different players of the week in one season since Loyola in 1984-85.

Allen joins DuShawn Brooks (Dec. 5), Damian Eargle (Jan. 2) and Ashen Ward (Jan. 9) as Penguins who have collected player of the week honors.

Last week, Allen averaged 21.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.5 steals per game and led the Guins to a 2-0 record, including a 68-66 win over then-Horizon League Leader Milwaukee and YSU's first 30-point Horizon League victory, 77-47, over Green Bay.

Overall Allen shot 75 percent (12-of-16) from the field, 76.9 percent (10-of-13) from 3-point range and 81.8 percent (9-of-11) from the free-throw line.

He scored a career-high 27 points on 8-of-10 shooting from the field and matched a career best with seven 3-pointers against the Panthers.

Against Green Bay, Allen scored a game-high 16 points on 4-of-6 shooting from the floor and made three 3-pointers.

Youngstown State (11-8, 6-3 Horizon) will have a chance to sweep the season series from Cleveland State (17-4, 7-2 Horizon) on Saturday, Jan. 28, when the Penguins host the Vikings. The Horizon League Network will have live coverage, beginning at 7:05 p.m. ET.

1215

YSU Penguin Athletics / Friday's Game vs UWM

« on: January 18, 2012, 02:49:13 PM »

Let's not forget to "pack the place" for ESPN coverage. It is a "Red Out" ...that is different. So wear your red. The free t-shirts are for the students only. I expect they will have the bookstore and others opened if you are like me and pout on a few extra pounds and may need to buy something

We should have the preview this evening. Any early lines on the game? Any predictions?