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61

YSU Penguin Athletics / Snyder Named National Player of the Week by Collegiate Baseball

« on: March 22, 2022, 09:17:32 AM »

Youngstown State senior pitcher Jon Snyder was named a National Player of the Week by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper on Monday for his performance at Purdue Fort Wayne on Friday.

The senior right-hander allowed just one hit and had a season-high 10 strikeouts over 6.1 innings to lead the Penguins to a 4-0 victory in its Horizon League opener against Purdue Fort Wayne on Friday.

Snyder did not allow a hit until a one-out single in the bottom of the sixth inning. He retired the first six batters he faced and he faced the minimum in each of the first five frames. He retired the side in order in the first, second and fifth innings. The Springboro, Ohio, native recorded a strikeout in six different innings, and he had multiple punch outs in four different frames as he earned his first victory of the season.

Snyder was also recognized nationally by D1Baseball.com, as he was included among the website's Top-30 Pitchers for March 18.

Snyder has a 2.96 ERA, 34 strikeouts and a .179 opponent batting average in 27.1 innings over five starts through the first five weeks of the 2022 season. He was named the Horizon League Preseason Pitcher of the Year by Perfect Game before the season after earning Second-Team All-Horizon League honors in 2021.

Youngstown State will play at Penn State on Tuesday at 6 p.m. before opening a three-game series at West Virginia on Friday at 6:30 p.m. All four of YSU's games this week will be broadcast live on YSNLive.com.

For the latest news and updates, follow @YSUBaseball on Twitter.

62

YSU Penguin Athletics / Ladies Fall 68-59 to Kent State in Opening Round of Women's NIT

« on: March 17, 2022, 04:13:14 PM »

The Youngstown State women's basketball team's record-breaking 2021-22 campaign came to a close Wednesday night with a 68-59 loss to Kent State in the opening round of the Women's NIT.

The Penguins finish the season with a 24-7 record, a Horizon League regular-season championship and their most wins in 24 years. Kent State advances to the round of 32 and will play either Houston Baptist or Toledo.

Youngstown State led by as many as 10 in the second quarter, and the Penguins had a 29-21 advantage with five minutes left in the half when fifth-year senior guard Chelsea Olson suffered a lower-body injury while running for a rebound. Olson, a four-time All-Horizon League guard who led the Penguins in minutes and assists and was second in points during the season, did not return. She had 11 points in the first 13 minutes of the contest, and Kent State went on a 27-6 run over the next 13 minutes as the Penguins tried to adjust without their leader.

Youngstown State battled to trim a 48-35 deficit down to five at the end of the third quarter, and the Penguins trailed 58-52 following a Paige Shy 3-pointer with 4:43 left in the fourth. However, they went scoreless for the next three minutes, and Kent State scored 10 straight points to take a 68-52 lead with less than two minutes remaining. The Penguins scored the final seven points for the final margin.

Malia Magestro scored a game-high 16 points, and 10 of those came in the second half. Lilly Ritz had 14 points and five rebounds, and Olson finished with 11 points, a rebound, a block and a steal in the final game of her legendary career.

Lindsey Thall had 15 points to lead three Golden Flashes in double figures.

Kent State shot 48.1% from the field, and it was 8-for-21 from 3-point range. Youngstown State shot 38.5% overall while going 7-for-21 from beyond the arc. The Penguins were also 12-for-13 from the free-throw line.

Olson's 3-pointer at the 8:10 mark of the first quarter acted as the Penguins' first points of the contest after Kent State bucketed back-to-back threes off the opening tip. YSU closed Kent State's early advantage to a one-point margin at the 7:12 and 5:29 marks of the quarter, both off Ritz baskets, and the Golden Flashes worked their lead back to six at 15-9.

YSU took its first lead of the game, 16-15, off a Paige Shy long-ball from Aulbach with 56 seconds to play in the quarter, which capped a 7-0 run to end the period. The Penguins then scored the first eight points of the second period on a two-pointer by Olson, a three-point play by Ritz and a 3-pointer by Magestro. In the first 46 seconds of the quarter, Olson had the field goal, a steal and an assist.

Magestro's 3-pointer gave the Penguins a 24-15 lead, and the margin peaked at 29-19 on another 3-pointer by Magestro with 7:11 on the clock. Jenna Batsch scored for Kent State on the next possession to make it 29-21, and Olson's injury came after she tried to rebound her own miss with just over five minutes left in the half.

Kent State shaved the margin down to five before Lindsey Mack hit a 3-pointer in front of the Golden Flashes' bench extended the Penguin advantage back to eight, 32-24. During the span, the Penguins defense held steady as they forced Kent State to shoot just 2-of-6 from the floor, including 0-of-3 from long range. Kent State went on a 6-0 run to cut the YSU lead to a pair before a made free throw from Ritz with 47 ticks remaining in the half sent the Penguins into the break with a 3-point lead, 33-30.

The Golden Flashes scored 18 of the first 20 points of the third period to take their 48-35 lead with 1:54 left. Magestro made two free throws at the 1:36 mark to spark an 8-0 run to close the quarter, and her basket on a driving layup at the 1:03 mark accounted for the Penguins' first field goal since Mack's 3 at the 2:50 mark of the second period. Magestro scored again on a cut to the basket, and Aulbach made two free throws with 0.3 seconds left to trim the 13-point deficit down to 48-43.

Thall scored a quick basket to start the fourth, and Mariah Modkins followed with a 3-pointer to get the margin back to 10 at 53-43. YSU didn't back down and got within six twice at 53-47 and 58-52 before Kent State's 10-0 run that made the score 68-52 with 1:51 left.

63

YSU Penguin Athletics / Bowling Remains Ninth in Latest NTCA Poll

« on: March 12, 2022, 04:33:58 PM »

For the second straight month, the Youngstown State bowling team is ranked ninth in the National Tenpin Coaches Association Top 25 Poll, the NTCA announced on Thursday.

The Penguins received 960 points in the poll, which was 84 more than they did in February. YSU was 14 points behind eighth-ranked Stephen F. Austin, but it was a firm 206 points ahead of 10th-ranked Duquesne. The Penguins have been ranked in the top 10 of the poll all season long.

YSU and SFA are two of six teams in the Southland Bowling League that are ranked in the top nine of the poll. Joining them are Sam Houston in third, Vanderbilt in the fourth position, Arkansas at No. 6 and Louisiana Tech at No. 7.

McKendree is at the top of the poll with 1,537 points, and the Bearcats received 24 out of a possible 42 first-place votes. Nebraska is second with 1,519 points and 16 first-place votes, and North Carolina A&T is fifth behind Sam Houston and Vanderbilt.

Voting for the poll is done by NCAA head coaches that are members of the NTCA. There were 42 ballots cast for the February poll.

Youngstown State will have its final tune-up of the regular season next week at the Columbia 300 Music City Classic on March 18-20 in Smyrna, Tenn. The Southland Bowling League Championship will be March 25-27 in Harahan, La.

64

YSU Penguin Athletics / Six-Run Eighth Inning Lead Hardballers to 6-5 Comeback Victory at New Orleans

« on: March 12, 2022, 04:30:10 PM »

The Youngstown State baseball team scored six runs in the top of the eighth inning to overcome a five-run deficit and earn a 6-5 victory over New Orleans in the series opener on Friday at Maestri Field in New Orleans, La.

Youngstown State won its second straight game to improve to 4-8 overall. New Orleans dropped to 8-3 overall after having its three-game winning streak snapped.

Dylan Swarmer went 4-for-4 at the plate, and he had two hits including the go-ahead RBI single during YSU's furious eighth-inning rally.

Alex Cardona, Brandon Mikos, Casey Marshalwitz and Nathan Ball combined to limit New Orleans to one hit over four scoreless innings of relief to help facilitate the Penguins' comeback. Each tossed a scoreless inning of relief after the Privateers scored five unearned runs off YSU starter Jon Snyder in the bottom of the fifth. Mikos earned the win in his first collegiate appearance while Ball picked up his fourth save of the season.

In the top of the eighth inning, Swarmer, Austin Earl and Lucas Nasonti hit three straight singles to load bases. Swarmer scored on a wild pitch before Braeden O'Shaughnessy greeted New Orleans reliever Collin Kulivan with an RBI single to right field. After Dominick Bucko brought home Nasonti with an RBI groundout, Padraig O'Shaughnessy drove in his brother Braeden O'Shaughnessy with a sacrifice fly to center field. After Steven D'Eusanio smacked a two-out double, Seth Lucero and Swarmer each came through with an RBI single to put YSU ahead 6-5.

Swarmer finished the game 4-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored to lead Youngstown State offensively. Lucero went 2-for-4 with an RBI single and a run scored while Nasonti, Braeden O'Shaughnessy, D'Eusanio and Earl also added hits for the Penguins. YSU outhit UNO 10-4 for the contest and it sent 10 batters to the plate during the deciding eighth inning.

The Privateers broke a scoreless tie with five runs on two hits in the home half of the fifth inning. After Snyder issued a pair of walks and a hit a batter to load the bases, Amani Larry delivered a two-out RBI single and Pearce Howard followed with a grand slam to right field that put New Orleans in front 5-0.

Snyder surrendered five unearned runs on three hits and three walks and struck out five batters over five innings. He retired the first eight batters he faced before issuing a two-out walk in the third. Snyder retired the side in order in the first, second and fourth frames.

New Orleans starter Tyler LeBlanc scattered three hits and struck out six batters over six scoreless innings of work in a no-decision. He retired the side in order in the first, fourth and sixth frames. Caleb Seroski suffered the loss after allowing the go-ahead run in the eighth inning.

Larry went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored to pace the Privateers offensively. Howard drove in UNO's other four runs with his fifth-inning grand slam.

Youngstown State and New Orleans will continue this weekend's four-game series on Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. ET. Both games will be broadcast live on YSNLive.com and UNOPrivateers.com.

65

YSU Penguin Athletics / Softball Completes Series Sweep of Detroit

« on: March 12, 2022, 04:27:52 PM »

Sophomore Sophie Howell fired a complete-game three-hitter and struck out nine to lead the Youngtown State softball team to a series sweep of Detroit Mercy with a 2-1 win on Friday morning at the YSU Softball Field.

The Penguins have now won three straight to improve to 12-9 overall and 3-0 in Horizon League play. The Titans fall to 0-12 overall and 0-3 in league play.

Senior Yazmine Romero went 3-for-3 with a run scored while junior Conchetta Rindaldi was 2-for-2 with two runs batted in. The duo combined for all five of the Penguins' hits in the one-run victory.

A two-run first inning was all of the offense Howell needed. Romero led off with a single and stole second. She advanced to third on a wild pitch on Alex DeLeon's walk then DeLeon stole second.

Rinaldi laced a 3-1 pitch to center field plating Romero and DeLeon with the Penguins' runs.

The Titan's lone run was a pinch-hit home run by Jaiden Lara in the top of the fifth inning.

Youngstown State visits Akron in a doubleheader, Tuesday, March 15. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. in Akron, Ohio.

66

YSU Penguin Athletics / Basketball Accepts Invitation to The Basketball Classic

« on: March 09, 2022, 03:05:59 PM »

The Youngstown State men's basketball team has accepted an invitation to compete in The Basketball Classic presented by Eracism, Youngstown State Head Coach Jerrod Calhoun announced on Wednesday.

The Basketball Classic is a 32-team tournament with first-round games on campus sites starting March 14. This creates another bracket to follow and gives student-athletes across the country an opportunity to participate in the postseason and compete for a championship.

 The Penguins' opponent and the entire bracket will be announced on Sunday, March 13, by the 20-member tournament selection committee.  Should YSU receive the opportunity to host a first-round game, ticket information for the event will be released that evening.

"We are excited for the opportunity to continue a successful season," Calhoun said. "If we are selected for a home game, we hope our fans will come out and help create an electric atmosphere.

"It is a credit to our guys and all the hard work they put in this season to be invited to a postseason tournament."

This is the Penguins' third Division I postseason appearance and the second in the last three seasons. Youngstown State accepted a berth to the 2020 CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT), but the tournament was canceled due to COVID-19.

The Penguins first appeared in the postseason when they played in the CIT in 2013. YSU owns a CIT record of 1-1 after defeating Oakland, 99-87, and falling to Canisius, 84-82, in overtime in 2013. Both games were at Beeghly Center.

This season, the Penguins have recorded a winning record for the third consecutive season with a mark of 18-14. It marks just the second time in YSU's Division I history and the first time since 1982-83, 1983-84, and 1984-85 that the Penguins posted three straight winning campaigns.

The Penguins set a school record for most conference victories with 12 Horizon League wins, and their 18 overall wins rank tied for third in YSU's Division I history. Youngstown State also won 18 games during the 2019-20 season.

67

YSU Penguin Athletics / Horizon League Unveils 2021-22 WBB All-League Honors

« on: March 01, 2022, 05:22:01 PM »

INDIANAPOLIS – IUPUI senior Macee Williams has been named the Horizon League Women’s Basketball Player of the Year for the fourth straight season. Northern Kentucky’s Grayson Rose earned Defensive Player of the Year honors. Green Bay’s Bailey Butler picked up the Freshman of the Year and Sixth Player of the Year awards for the Phoenix. Youngstown State’s John Barnes is the Coach of the Year as the Penguins earned a share of the #HLWBB regular season title for the first time. All awards were voted on by the League’s head coaches.

Williams is the first four-time Player of the Year in League history. The graduate senior center averaged 18.3 points and 10.9 rebounds in League contests this season, first among #HLWBB players in both categories. Williams also paced the League in field goal percentage in League contests, shooting 62.7 percent from the floor as she also received All-League First Team recognition for the fourth time.

Rose is the Defensive Player of the Year this season, earning her second All-Defensive Team honor. The graduate senior post led the League with 2.5 blocks in League games this season, adding 9.4 rebounds in those contests.

Butler is the Horizon League Sixth Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year this season. The rookie averaged 6.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.3 steals in #HLWBB games this season and led the League in Freshman of the Week honors while starting in just one game for the Phoenix.

John Barnes was chosen the Horizon League Coach of Year, leading the Penguins to a share of the League regular season title and an 18-4 League record. This is the first Horizon League Coach of the Year honor for Barnes.

Joining Williams on the All-League First Team are Cleveland State’s Destiny Leo, Green Bay’s Hailey Oskey, Milwaukee’s Megan Walstad and Youngstown State’s Lilly Ritz. Leo scored 17.8 points per game and shot 42.3 percent in League play, leading the Vikings to a top-four seed. Oskey totaled 14.2 points and 1.7 three-point field goals per game in #HLWBB contests for the No. 3 seed Phoenix. Walstad earned her second All-League First Team honor and also added her second consecutive All-Defensive Team honor this season as she scored 14.7 points and hauled in 9.4 rebounds, along with 1.6 blocks, in League play. In her first season with the Penguins, Ritz ranked second in #HLWBB play with 17.8 points and 10.5 rebounds while shooting 59.3 percent, also earning All-Defensive Team recognition.

IUPUI’s Rachel McLimore, Northern Kentucky’s Lindsey Duvall and Ivy Turner, UIC’s Jaida McCloud and Youngstown State’s Chelsea Olson compose the All-League Second Team. McLimore averaged 12.9 points and 2.9 assists in League play for the Jags this season, also picking up All-Defensive Team honors. Duvall totaled 15.8 points and 6.9 rebounds for the Norse in #HLWBB games while Turner posted 12.9 points and 4.1 assists in those contests. McCloud led the Flames and ranked fourth in the League with 17.1 points per #HLWBB game. Olson paced the League with 5.3 assists and a 2.3 assist-turnover ratio in conference play, adding 10.2 points and 6.0 rebounds to earn All-League honors for the fourth straight season.

Cleveland State’s Nadia Dumas (12.1 points, 6.2 rebounds), IUPUI’s Rachel Kent (2.5 three-point field goals per game, 43.1 percent shooting from three-point range), Oakland’s Kahlaijah Dean (13.2 points, 2.1 assists), Purdue Fort Wayne’s Shayla Sellers (12.4 points, 1.1 blocks, 1.6 steals) and RMU’s Esther Castedo (11.3 points, 2.0 steals) comprise the All-League Third Team.

Green Bay’s Maddy Schreiber, NKU’s Khamari Mitchell-Steen, Oakland’s Kendall Folley and Purdue Fort Wayne’s Ryin Ott earned All-Freshman recognition this season along with Butler.

Youngstown State junior Mady Aulbach joins McLimore, Walstad, Rose and Ritz on the All-Defensive Team.

The 2022 Keeps Horizon League Basketball Championships will begin March 1 and 3 at campus sites and eight teams – four men and four women – will look to advance to Indianapolis and #REACHtheHORIZON on March 7-8 at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum.

Every game of the championship will be carried on ESPN networks with the first three rounds of the Keeps Horizon League Women’s Basketball Championship streamed on ESPN+ and the championship game broadcast on ESPNU.

First-round action begins on Tuesday, March 1 with four games as No. 5 seed Northern Kentucky hosts No. 12 seed Detroit Mercy, No. 6 seed Milwaukee takes on No. 11 seed UIC, No. 7 seed Oakland battles No. 10 seed Wright State and No. 8 seed RMU welcomes No. 9 seed Purdue Fort Wayne.

On Thursday, March 3, the top four seeds will host quarterfinal matchups for a chance to advance to Indianapolis for the semifinals. All four matchups will be set on Tuesday night after the first round concludes.

For complete information on the 2022 Keeps Horizon League Women’s Basketball Championships, visit HorizonLeague.com/Indy.

2021-22 #HLWBB All-League Awards
Player of the Year: Macee Williams, IUPUI
Coach of the Year: John Barnes, Youngstown State
Freshman of the Year: Bailey Butler, Green Bay
Defensive Player of the Year: Grayson Rose, Northern Kentucky
Sixth Player of the Year: Bailey Butler, Green Bay
 
All-League First Team (alphabetical by school)
Destiny Leo, Cleveland State, Sophomore, Guard
Hailey Oskey, Green Bay, Junior, Guard
Macee Williams, IUPUI, Graduate Senior, Center
Megan Walstad, Milwaukee, Redshirt Sophomore, Forward
Lilly Ritz, Youngstown State, Senior, Forward
 
All-League Second Team (alphabetical by school)
Rachel McLimore, IUPUI, Senior, Guard
Lindsey Duvall, Northern Kentucky, Senior, Guard
Ivy Turner, Northern Kentucky, Junior, Guard
Jaida McCloud, UIC, Sophomore, Guard/Forward
Chelsea Olson, Youngstown State, Senior, Guard
 
All-League Third Team (alphabetical by school)
Nadia Dumas, Cleveland State, Redshirt-Senior, Forward
Rachel Kent, IUPUI, Sophomore, Guard
Kahlaijah Dean, Oakland, Senior, Guard
Shayla Sellers, Purdue Fort Wayne, Junior, Guard/Forward
Esther Castedo, RMU, Senior, Guard
 
All-Freshman Team (alphabetical by school)
Bailey Butler, Green Bay, Guard
Maddy Schreiber, Green Bay, Forward
Khamari Mitchell-Steen, Northern Kentucky, Guard
Kendall Folley, Oakland, Point Guard
Ryin Ott, Purdue Fort Wayne, Guard
 
All-Defensive Team (alphabetical by school)
Rachel McLimore, IUPUI, Senior, Guard
Megan Walstad, Milwaukee, Redshirt Sophomore, Forward
Grayson Rose, Northern Kentucky, Graduate Senior, Post
Mady Aulbach, Youngstown State, Junior, Guard
Lilly Ritz, Youngstown State, Senior, Forward

68

YSU Penguin Athletics / Nike HLSB Players of the Week

« on: March 01, 2022, 05:12:17 PM »

INDIANAPOLIS – Youngstown State swept this week’s Nike® #HLSB awards as the Penguins posted a 4-0 record at the Hampton University Tournament. Nikki Saibene led the Penguins offensively with a .636 batting average, two runs scored, a double, home run and six runs batted in while slugging .714 with three multi-hit games to earn Player of the Week honors. Elle Buffenbarger went 3-0 with a 0.00 earned-run average, 20 strikeouts and an opponent batting average of .156 in 13.2 innings pitched in the circle to pick up Pitcher of the Week recognition.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK | NIKKI SAIBENE | YOUNGSTOWN STATE | SENIOR | INF | MASSILLON, OHIO
Nikki Saibene led the Penguins to a 4-0 week with a .636 batting average, two runs scored, a double, home run and six runs batted in. She also posted a slugging percentage of 1.000 and an on-base percentage of .714 for an OPS of 1.714. Saibene posted three multi-hit games last week and went 7-of-11 in four games. She went 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs in a 7-2 win over Norfolk State and went 2-for-3 with a double and two runs batted in against Penn on Feb. 26. She also had two hits against Hampton on Feb. 25.
 
PITCHER OF THE WEEK | ELLE BUFFENBARGER | YOUNGSTOWN STATE | SENIOR | P | MASON, OHIO
Elle Buffenbarger went 3-0 with a 0.00 earned-run average, 20 strikeouts and an opponent batting average of .156 in 13.2 innings pitched. She also became the Penguins’ all-time strikeout leader, breaking the old mark of 565 set by Casey Crozier from 2011-14. Buffenbarger now has 583 career strikeouts. She struck out eight in 6.2 innings and allowed just four hits in a 4-1 over Penn on Feb. 25. In a relief outing against Norfolk State, Buffenbarger fired five scoreless innings and struck out 10 in the 7-2 victory, and whiffed two in two innings of relief in a 5-3 win over Penn.
 
2022 Nike® #HLSB Players of the Week
February 15 – Tara McElligott, UIC
February 22 – Charlotte Grover, RMU
March 1 – Nikki Saibene, Youngstown State
 
2022 Nike® #HLSB Pitchers of the Week
February 15 – Melissa Holzopfel, Cleveland State
February 22 – Abby Gawlinski, Green Bay
March 1 – Elle Buffenbarger, Youngstown State

69

YSU Penguin Athletics / Indoor Champs!! Penguins Clinch Pair of Team Titles for Sixth-Straight Season

« on: February 28, 2022, 08:53:57 AM »

For the sixth-consecutive indoor season, the Youngtown State track and field program clinched a pair of team titles on the final day of the Horizon League Indoor Track and Field Championships, capping the 2021-22 indoor season.

The men's team raced to their seventh straight league title and eighth overall, scoring the second highest indoor point total in program history with 225 points while winning eight event titles (60m, 800m, mile, triple jump, high jump, weight throw, pole vault, DMR).

The women closed out championship weekend setting a Horizon League record for most points scored (211) across a championship meet, winning eight event titles (60m, 200m, 800m, mile, 3000m, 5000m, long jump, triple jump). With the victory, the women capture their sixth consecutive league title and eighth in the last nine years.

Both squads held the outright lead in team-point totals across both days of conference competition.

YS upped its team scores from the 2021 Horizon League Indoor Track and Field Championships when the men finished with 218 points and the women totaled 186.16 points.

Becoming the only Horizon League to ever accomplish the feat, regardless of event, Alfreeda Goff Athlete of the Year Sean Peterson clinched a Horizon League record fifth-straight 800m league title with a time of 1:52.81. Behind, Evan Alten ran personal best time of 1:55.29 to come in fourth. Jack Wilcoxson finished fifth with a time of 1:55.36.

With a time of 2:11.11, Nicole Squatrito set a new YSU school record in the women's 800m run to pick-up just the second 800m conference title in program history and the first since 2019. Squatrito replaces her previous school record time of 2:11.95 set during the 2020 indoor season. Turning in a pair of personal-best finishes, Aiamyia Dudley (2:13.54) and Lauren Dolak (2:15.49) also made the podium with fourth and fifth place finishes in the event, respectively.

In the men's mile, the Penguins combined to score 22 team points, placing five runners in the top-8 spots. Pacing the pack with a finishing time of 4:07.17, Peterson became one of only three athletes in conference history to win a league title in the mile three times. Derek Basinger acted as the next YSU finisher, taking the bronze with a time of personal-best time of 4:11.86. Going 6, 7, 8 in the event, Ty Coon (4:13.89), Ryan Meadows (4:14.59) and Ethan Sparks (4:14.94) step into the podiums final three spots.

Tallying the second of her two event victories on the afternoon, Squatrito earned just the second Penguin league title in the women's mile with a personal-best time of 4:55.89. Just behind, Natalie Fleming crossed in runner-up fashion with a time of 5:02.70. Not done, YSU added another runner to the event podium with Carly Hall's fifth-place finish with a personal-best time of 5:06.91 to up the Penguins point total to 22 team points in the event.

Anthony Woods bolstered the Penguins to nine league titles in the last 11 indoor seasons with a first-place finish in Sunday's 60m dash final, clocking a time of 6.78 to pace the field. Coming in third, Tye Hunt recorded a time of 6.87 and Christian Ford followed in fifth with a time of 6.92.

In the women's event, Jahniya Bowers upped the streak to eight-consecutive seasons that a Penguin has finished atop the 60m dash, clocking a time of 7.33. Earning the runner-up bid, Kyndia Matlock posted a 7.52. Going 4, 5, Cyncere Cunningham (7.652) edged teammate Suerethia Henderson (7.660) thousandths of a second.

Bowers stepped back into the blocks in the second of two women's 200m final heats and captured her second league title of the afternoon with a time of 23.99 to earn YSU its tenth event title of the last 11 years. The Penguins would take the next two top spots on the podium as Henderson (24.42) and Matlock (24.62) would go 2, 3 in the race. Adding Madison Murry's eighth-place nod, YSU earned 25 team points with the four scoring finishes. Acting as the only YSU qualifier in the men's 200m final, Christian Ford added fourth-place finish with a time of 21.98.

Third-year Penguin Morgan Cole tallied her second league title in as many days with a victory in Sunday's 3000m run. Cole clocked a time of 9:51.81 to earn YSU its first conference title in the event in school history. In the men's event, Hunter Christopher logged a fifth-place finish with a time of 8:31.17.

Luke Laubacher and Murry logged a pair of runner-up finishes during Sunday's final heats of the 60m hurdles, picking-up 16 points for YSU. Laubacher's time of 7.96 qualified as the third-fastest event time in YSU history and fastest by a freshman. Murry clocked a time of 8.53.

With a 12.29m (40' 3¾") leap on her sixth and final attempt, Nia Williams-Matthews set a YSU program record in the triple jump en route to the league title in the event. Williams-Matthews' mark overtakes former-Penguin Chontel Fils jump of 12.28m (40' 3½") logged in 2018. Earning the runner-up nod, Stephanie Simon posted an 11.88m (38' 11¾") to complete the 1, 2 Penguin finish. The victory punches YSU's second league title since 2015 and third all-time.

Completing the event sweep, Jakari Lomax notched back-to-back conference championships in the men's triple jump, jumping 15.14m (49' 8¼"). Daiquain Watson earned the bronze with a personal best 14.70m (48' 2¾") leap and Samuel Challis came in fourth with a 14.02m (46' 0") jump.

YSU took four spots on the podium in the men's high jump, led by Terron Taylor who cleared a personal-best 2.11m (6' 11") bar to boast the Penguins to back-to-back high jump titles and their fourth in school history. Nathan Leskovac also tabbed a personal-best performance, clearing a 2.05m (6' 8¾") bar for fourth. Lonnie Harper also bowed out of competition at 2.05m (6' 8¾") for sixth, while Grant Moore came in eighth with a 1.99m (6' 6¼") performance. The Penguins tallied 17.5 team points for the event.

Olivia Jones acted as the Penguins best finisher in the women's high jump competition, securing a fifth-place finish by clearing a 1.65m (5' 5") bar to make the conference podium. Emily Bee also scored for the Penguins, picking-up an eighth-place finish with a 1.60m (5' 3") jump. Together, the two totaled five team points for YSU.

Dominic Perry acted as the best of four Penguin finisher to make the podium in the men's shot put, recording a runner-up finish in the event with a 17.52m (57' 5¾") throw. Earning the bronze, Zach Gehm posted a 17.20m (56' 5¼") throw on his second attempt. Brock Grundy finished fourth with a 16.81m (55' 2") chuck and Zach Gray came in sixth, throwing 15.37m (50' 5¼"). Together, the Penguins added 22 points to the team total in the event.

In the women's competition, first-year Penguin Molly Radcliffe tallied a runner-up finish in the shot put, logging a 14.22m (46' 7¾") throw.

Final Scores
Women
1) Youngstown State – 211
2) Milwaukee - 124
3) Oakland - 111
4) Purdue Fort Wayne - 59
5) Northern Kentucky – 38
5) RMU – 38
7) UIC - 31
Wright State - 29
9) IUPUI – 12
10) Detroit Mercy - 9
11) Cleveland State - 1

Men
1) Youngstown State - 225
2) Milwaukee - 167
3) Oakland – 122.5
4) IUPUI - 43
5) Detroit Mercy – 42.5
6) Purdue Fort Wayne - 33
7) UIC - 18
Northern Kentucky - 9

Horizon League Indoor Track and Field Specialty Awards
Women's Specialty Awards
Alfreeda Goff Indoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year: Natalie Block, Milwaukee
Championship Outstanding Performer, Running: Nicole Squatrito, Youngstown State
Championship Outstanding Performer, Fielding: Natalie Block, Milwaukee
Freshman of the Year, Running: Ellie Voetberg, Oakland
Freshman of the Year, Fielding: Julia Pohl, Northern Kentucky
Coach of the Year: Brian Gorby, Youngstown State

Men's Specialty Awards
Alfreeda Goff Indoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year: Sean Peterson, Youngstown State
Championship Outstanding Performer, Running: Jimmie Williams, Oakland
Championship Outstanding Performer, Fielding: Austin Wallace, Milwaukee
Freshman of the Year, Running: Eilijah Major, Detroit Mercy
Freshman of the Year, Fielding: Elijah Nelson, Youngstown State
Coach of the Year: Brian Gorby, Youngstown State

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YSU Penguin Athletics / Champions!! Ladies Beat UIC to Clinch First Regular-Season Title in 23 Years

« on: February 28, 2022, 08:52:38 AM »

The Youngstown State women's basketball team is a conference champion!

Lilly Ritz scored 23 points and grabbed eight rebounds, Malia Magestro scored 18 points, and the Penguins went 12-for-14 from the free-throw line in the fourth period in a 61-54 victory at UIC on Saturday in Chicago. Youngstown State has won its first Horizon League title, and it is a conference regular-season champion for the first time since winning the Mid-Continent Conference in 1998-99.

With the victory over the Flames, Youngstown State finishes the regular season 24-5 overall and 18-4 in Horizon League play. In addition to tying the school record for regular-season victories, the Penguins matched the Horizon League record for conference wins with 18. YSU finishes as co-champions with IUPUI, and Youngstown State will be the second seed in the Keeps Horizon League Women's Basketball Championship.

After an offseason where the transfer portal created the uncertain reality of having nine newcomers on the roster, this group of Penguins bonded together to capture the program's first regular-season conference title in 23 years.

Chelsea Olson provided the foundation when she chose to return to Youngstown State for her fifth season of eligibility, and an influx of transfers provided a chance to reshape the players around her. Ritz arrived from the Division II level and has put up numbers worthy of Horizon League Player of the Year consideration, and Division I transfers Megan Callahan, Lindsey Linard, Lindsey Mack and Paige Shy have brought winning qualities both and off the court. Mixing the five transfers, returners Olson, Magestro, Mady Aulbach, Emma Randall, Lexi Wagner and Jen Wendler, and freshmen Athena Hocevar, Tenleigh Phelps, Haley Thierry and Kayiona Willis, Head Coach John Barnes has given a program with a proud history a reason to celebrate at a level not felt in more than two decades.

It certainly wasn't easy all season, and Saturday was no different at Credit Union 1 Arena. The Flames scored the first seven points of the game, but the Penguins shook off a sluggish start with an 11-3 run that gave them an 11-10 lead.

UIC led 13-11 at the end of the first quarter, and the Flames' final lead was 18-17 on a Jaida McCloud basket at the 5:57 mark of the second period. Olson scored less than a minute later to put YSU up 19-18, and the Penguins led the rest of the way.

Magestro made her first of three 3-pointers at the 2:32 mark to put YSU ahead 24-18, and Ritz scored on a driving layup with 42 seconds on the clock to make the score 26-20 at halftime. Ritz had 14 points and six rebounds in the opening half.

The Penguins then scored the first seven points of the second half as two-pointers by Shy and Ritz preceded a Magestro 3-pointer, and the largest margin of the game came at 36-22 on Magestro's third trey with 5:17 on the clock.

YSU led by 14 again at 38-24 with 3:49 left in the third, but UIC got hot and went 9-for-10 from the field during a stretch to make a charge. YSU's lead was down to 41-33 at the end of the quarter, and Kristian Young's 3-pointer 16 seconds into the fourth shrunk the margin down to five points.

Ritz got the difference back to double digits at 50-40 with a basket from Callahan at the 4:55 mark, but the Flames scored the next six points to get within 50-46 with just under three minutes remaining. That's as close as they would get. Olson made two free throws and hit Aulbach for a basket in the paint at the shot clock on the next two possessions to push the lead back to seven at 54-47.

UIC got within 58-54 when McCloud split two free throws with 20.4 seconds remaining, and Shy followed with two free throws and Ritz added one for the final margin.

Youngstown State shot 45.5% from the field for the game despite going just 5-for-19 from 3-point range. YSU went 16-for-20 overall from the free-throw line, including that important 12-for-14 effort in the final quarter. Magestro was 9-for-10, Olson was 4-for-4 and Shy was 2-for-2.

The Penguins will now try to add a postseason tournament title to its list of accomplishments as they'll begin play in the Keeps Horizon League Women's Basketball Championship next week. YSU will host a quarterfinal game at Beeghly Center on Thursday at 7 p.m.

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YSU Penguin Athletics / Ladies Bowling

« on: February 26, 2022, 01:43:51 PM »

I see where the bowling team bowled a perfect game over 4-players. They are ranked #9 and lost to #1 & #22 in reasonably close sets. Yet did manage to defeated #7. Program continues to be a nice addition to ladies athletics.

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YSU Penguin Athletics / Ladies vs IUPUI

« on: February 24, 2022, 06:16:50 PM »

Getting smoked 12-0 with 5 Turn-overs

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YSU Penguin Athletics / Lady Pens Head to Indy for Important Rematch with IUPUI

« on: February 23, 2022, 05:52:49 PM »

Game Notes

Game Preview

    Youngstown State will try to clinch the first Horizon League regular-season championship in school history as it heads to Indianapolis for a challenging contest at IUPUI. Tipoff on Thursday against the Jaguars at The Jungle is set for 6 p.m., and the game will be broadcast live on 1390 WNIO, iHeartRadio and ESPN+.
    The Penguins have won five straight games and enter the final weekend of the regular season at the top of the Horizon League standings. YSU has a one-game lead on IUPUI and a game-and-a-half lead on Green Bay. A win over the Jaguars would give YSU the league's outright regular-season title, and a split this weekend would give the Penguins at least a share of the regular-season crown. YSU's last regular-season championship came in 1998-99 when it was in the Mid-Continent Conference (now the Summit League).
    YSU earned a pair of double-digit wins last weekend, beating Northern Kentucky 62-49 on Friday and topping Wright State 77-53 on Sunday. Chelsea Olson had 27 points in the win over the Norse, and Lilly Ritz posted 20 points and 15 rebounds in the victory over Wright State.
    At 23-4 overall, YSU has its best record through 27 games since the 1997-98 season. The Penguins have reached the 20-win plateau for the fourth time in the last eight seasons, and they have 23 regular-season victories for just the third time in program history, joining the 1997-98 and 1990-91 teams.
    The Penguins have set a school record for conference victories – regardless of conference – with their 17-3 record.
    Ritz ranks in the top four in the Horizon League in scoring (17.0 ppg), rebounding (9.9 rpg), field-goal percentage (.588) and steals (2.0 spg). Olson leads the conference in assists (4.7 apg) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.98), and she is one assist away from reaching 500 for her career.

Program Staples

    Shooting 3s: Youngstown State has led the Horizon League in 3-pointers per game in each of the last seven seasons. A Penguin has ranked in the top five of the conference in 3s per game in each of the last 10 seasons.
    Strong In The Post: The Penguins have had a post be named to the Horizon League's first team, second team or freshman team in six of the last eight seasons and 11 times in the last 14.
    Sharing The Ball: A Penguin has led the Horizon League in assists per game in five of the last six years.
    Academics: YSU has appeared on the WBCA Academic Top 25 Honor Roll 10 times in the last 11 years. The Penguins have been in the top 10 for four straight years.
    Postseason Play: YSU has played in the WNIT or the WBI in five of the last nine years.
    Strength at the Stripe: YSU has ranked in the top 20 nationally in free-throw percentage in four of the last seven seasons. The Penguins have shot at least 70 percent from the free-throw line in nine straight years.

Youngstown State vs. IUPUI

A Win Would...

    Clinch the Horizon League Regular Season Championship and the No. 1 seed in the Keeps Horizon League Women's Basketball Championship.
    Improve YSU's record to 24-4 this season, which would be the third time in program history that the Penguins were 24-4 or better through 28 games.
    Give YSU 18 wins in conference play, which would extend its school record for Horizon League victories and conference wins (regardless of league).
    Give YSU 24 regular-season wins for the third time in program history.
    Improve the Penguins' record to 10-2 on the road, giving YSU at least 10 road wins for the fifth time in program history.
    Be the 307th in Head Coach John Barnes' career and his 151st at Youngstown State.

Feb. 24 in YSU History

    YSU is 10-5 all-time in games played on Feb. 24. The last game on the date resulted in a 70-65 loss at Wright State in 2019. In 2018, the Penguins beat Cleveland State 76-69 in the final home game of the regular season.
    Individually, Nikki Arbanas made six 3s in the win over the Vikings in 2018. Jen Perugini had 21 rebounds in a game at Wright State in 2003. Against Murray State in 1986, Dorothy Bowers scored 37 points, and Danielle Carson had 15 assists.

Scouting IUPUI

    IUPUI is 19-6 overall and 16-4 in Horizon League play, and it is one game behind the Penguins in the conference standings. The Jaguars had won 14 straight games before falling in their last game at Green Bay, 71-56, on Saturday.
    IUPUI leads the conference in field-goal percentage, assists, scoring margin and rebounding margin, and it ranks in the top four in almost every category. Macee Williams is leads the HL in rebounding and field-goal percentage while ranking second in scoring, and Rachel Kent averages a league-best 2.52 3s per game.

Series History

Overall: IUPUI leads 10-9
Barnes: 3-7 • Home: 4-4 • Away: 4-5 • Neutral: 1-1
Current Win Streak: 4 by IUPUI

    IUPUI holds a 10-9 all-time advantage against Youngstown State in a series that dates back to the 1998-99 season when both schools were members of the Mid-Continent Conference. YSU left the Mid-Con for the Horizon League in 2001-02, and IUPUI joined the Penguins in the Horizon League in 2017-18.
    The teams split the season series in the first three years that IUPUI was in the Horizon League, and the Jaguars won both matchups in Indianapolis last season. IUPUI has won the last four meetings since YSU won 75-73 in Youngstown on Dec. 28, 2019. The Penguins have led in the fourth quarter in each of the last three contests against the Jaguars but haven't been able to hold on for the win.

Last Time vs. IUPUI

    IUPUI rallied from a nine-point lead in the final 90 seconds of regulation to force overtime, and the Jaguars went on to win 76-68 on Jan. 16 at Beeghly Center.
    YSU led 56-47 after a Chelsea Olson free throw at the 1:28 mark that completed a 13-4 run over more than six minutes. Anna Mortag hit a 3-pointer for IUPUI nine seconds after Olson's free throw, and IUPUI went on to outscore the Penguins 14-5 in the final 1:19 to tie the game at 61.
    Youngstown State was an impressive plus-14 in turnover margin as IUPUI had 22 turnovers compared with the Penguins' eight. YSU had just three turnovers through the first 39:25 of the game, but it had three in the final 36 seconds of regulation and two more in overtime.
    Lilly Ritz had game highs of 23 points and 13 rebounds, and she had a dominant final 20 minutes of regulation. She had four points and five rebounds in the first half, and she followed that with 18 points and six rebounds, and she was 9-of-10 from the field, in the next 20 minutes.
    Malia Magestro scored a career-high 19 points and tied her career high with five 3-pointers.

Recapping Wright State

    Youngstown State tied its season high for most field goals in a game with 31. Lilly Ritz had 10 of those makes, and nine other Penguins combined for the other 21. It was the fifth time this season that Ritz made at least 10 field goals in a game.
    Ritz was YSU's leading scorer for the first time in five games with 20 points. She added a game-high 15 rebounds as the Penguins were plus-15 in rebounding margin. Ritz had double-digit rebounds for the 10th time this season, it was her fourth game with at least 15 rebounds in Horizon League play.
    All 12 active YSU players appeared, and 11 of them scored. Emma Randall had her first points in conference play since the contest at Detroit Mercy on Nov. 20. Haley Thierry scored in a Horizon League game for the first time in her career.
    YSU's 49 rebounds were the most against a Division I opponent this season. The Penguins had a season-high 50 against Davis & Elkins on Dec. 17.
    The Penguins attempted a season-low five free throws, and they tied for a season-low three made free throws. The Raiders also had just seven fouls called against them, which was six fewer than the previous low by an opponent. NKU and Wright State combined for 20 fouls against them last week.
    Wright State had seven turnovers, which was the lowest total by an opponent this season.
    The Penguins had at least 30 points in the paint for the third straight game. YSU had 34 points in the paint, which tied for its most since scoring 36 against Point Park on Dec. 21.
    YSU was credited with 17 fast-break points, which was its most against a Division I opponent in 2021-22. The only game the Penguins have had more transition points was when they had 22 against Point Park on Dec. 21.
    YSU led from start to finish for the first time in Horizon League play since the Nov. 18 win at Oakland. The Penguins have led wire-to-wire four times this season - Nov. 18 vs. Oakland, Dec. 17 vs. Davis & Elkins, Dec. 21 vs. Point Park and Feb. 20 against Wright State.
    Mady Aulbach, Paige Shy and Lexi Wagner each made three 3s as the Penguins made a dozen as a team. Aulbach has 11 3-pointers in her last six games after having nine total in her first 20. Shy made three 3s for the second straight game, and Wagner had her first game with multiple treys since the contest at Robert Morris on Jan. 20. It was Wagner's birthday.
    Chelsea Olson, as well as student assistants Gabby Lupardus and Jamison Jenkins, were recognized as part of Senior Day before the game. Olson had eight points and nine rebounds in 33 minutes.

Up Next

Youngstown State will conclude the regular season at UIC on Saturday. Tipoff at the Credit Union 1 Arena is set for 2 p.m. Eastern, and the game will be broadcast live on 570 WKBN and ESPN+.

74

YSU Penguin Athletics / Ladies Beat Wright State 77-53 for Fifth Straight Win

« on: February 21, 2022, 07:13:17 AM »

The Youngstown State women's basketball team never trailed and had six players score at least eight points in a 77-53 victory over Wright State on Sunday afternoon at Beeghly Center.

Youngstown State improved to 23-4 overall and a Horizon League-leading 17-3 in conference play. Wright State is now 3-21 and 2-17.

The Penguins wrapped up the home portion of their regular-season schedule by winning for the 14th time on Rosselli Court in 2021-22. They will have at least one more home game this season as they'll host a second-round game in the Horizon League Women's Basketball Championship on Thursday, March 3.

Lilly Ritz posted game highs of 20 points and 15 rebounds, and Lexi Wagner scored 11 points off the bench. Wagner, Mady Aulbach and Paige Shy each hit three 3-pointers, and YSU finished 12-for-29 from beyond the arc as a team.

Chelsea Olson finished with eight points and nine rebounds to go along with an assist, a steal and a block on her Senior Day. She, student assistants Gabby Lupardus and Jamison Jenkins and four members of YSU's cheerleading squad were honored prior to the game.

Destyne Jackson led Wright State with 14 points, and Jada Wright added 10.

Malia Magestro scored the first two points of the game from the free-throw line at the 8:55 mark, and YSU led from that point forward. Megan Callahan and Aulbach took turns assisting each other on back-to-back 3-pointers to put YSU up 12-5 at the 5:05 mark of the opening quarter, and YSU led 19-14 at the end of the period.

Ritz was whistled for her second foul 12 seconds into the second quarter, and the Penguins were able to grow their lead to 14 by halftime with their leading scorer on the bench. After Jada Wright's basket got the Raiders to within 19-16, the Penguins went on a 9-2 run on two 3-pointers by Wagner and one by Aulbach to create the game's first double-digit margin at 28-18. Olson had two baskets and an assist in the final two minutes of the half to push the margin to 40-26.

Ritz had 10 points and seven rebounds in the third quarter alone, and the Penguins led 52-30 after back-to-back 3-pointers from Shy with 6:37 and 6:09 on the clock. YSU led 61-42 at the end of the period, and the Penguins scored the last five points of the game on a Haley Thierry layup and an Emma Randall 3-pointer to create the largest margin of the contest for the final tally.

Youngstown State shot 47.7% overall from the field and 41.4% from 3-point range. The Penguins also had a 49-34 rebounding margin against the Raiders, who shot 32.4% overall and 26.7% from beyond the arc.

The Penguins will finish up their regular season next week with road games at IUPUI and UIC.

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YSU Penguin Athletics / Bowers, Radcliffe Sweep Women's Nike #HLTF Athlete of the Week Selections

« on: February 16, 2022, 05:26:14 PM »

The Youngstown State track and field program has swept the women's side of this week's Nike #HLTF Athlete of the Week award, as two athletes have been recognized for their performances at Grand Valley State's Big Meet and Kent State's Doug Raymond National Qualifier across the Feb. 11-12 weekend, the league office announced on Tuesday.

Jahniya Bowers (60m) and Molly Radcliffe (shot put) were chosen for the weekly honors.

Matching a YSU school record in the event, Bowers clocked a personal-best time of 7.25 to place first in Friday's 60m dash at the Grand Valley State Big Meet. Bowers' time qualifies as the country's 15th-fastest mark, while also posing as the Horizon League's top time recorded during the 2021-22 indoor season.

The award marks the third time during the 2021-22 indoor season Bowers has recieved the conference honor through three months of competition.

Radcliffe threw the fifth-furthest shot put in YSU program history with a personal-best 14.50m (47' 7") mark at the Doug Raymond National Qualifier. Radcliffe's performance acts as the Horizon League's top-throw on the 2021-22 indoor season and was good for the sixth-furthest throw during Saturday's competition.

YSU Horizon League Athletes of the Week:
Dec. 7 – Erin Bogard, Jahniya Bowers, Wyatt Lefker
Dec. 14 - Victoria Lanese, Anthony Woods
Jan. 18 - Jahniya Bowers
Jan. 25 - Anthony Woods
Feb. 8 - Sean Peterson
Feb. 15 - Jahniya Bowers, Molly Radcliffe

For complete coverage of Youngstown State track & field, follow @YSUTrackFieldXC on Twitter.