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SPORTVIEW: Ex-locals Mesaros, Jones make mark coaching; BCRS to honor Hemsing at event
By Lynn Saternow
Herald Sports Editor
A PAIR OF former local athletic stars — Hickory’s Marc Mesaros and Lakeview’s Travis Jones — are making their marks in the coaching world in other parts of the country.
´´ Mesaros has built one of the most powerful football programs in the state of Maryland.
After his Eastern Tech High team lost in the state Class 2A state finals the last two years, the Mesaros-led Mavericks finally won the title this past season with a 16-8 victory over Queen Anne.
Mesaros has posted a 75-14 mark since taking over the reins at Eastern Tech, located in Baltimore County.
As an article on the Web site www.coachessaid.com about Mesaros pointed out: “He hasn’t built a great team; he’s built a great program. There’s a difference. Teams can be one-hit wonders — programs contend for titles every year.”
Marc is a 1987 Hickory High grad.
´´ Jones, who also knows how to build tremendous programs, recently posting his 300th career basketball coaching victory at Winter Springs High in Winter Park, Fla.
In winning a game at the Rotary Tip-Off Classic recently, it raised his record to 82-34 in 5 seasons at Winter Springs. Previously in 8 years at Edgewater he went 218-42 for a career mark of 300-76.
“It’s the result of a lot of good players and a lot of assistant coaches,” the humble Jones was quoted as saying in the Orlando Sentinel. “It’s a testament to them more than anything.”
Travis is a 1990 Lakeview High graduate.
ä The annual Holiday Doubles Handball Tournament at the Buhl Community Recreation Center Saturday will honor the late Tom Hemsing, who died on Nov. 5 while playing handball at the club.
A plaque will be dedicated and placed on the wall in the handball/racquetball court area during a special ceremony at noon. The tournament, which will be renamed in his honor, will begin at 1 p.m.
Following the tournament at 4 p.m., there will be a celebration of Tom’s life for family and friends at the Sharon American Legion hall. Tickets for the party may be purchased for $25 and all proceeds will be donated to the Buhl center in Tom’s name.
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COLLEGIATE NOTEBOOK: Woods has banner year throwing shot
KRISTY WOODS of the University of Buffalo boasted a banner 2010 season for the Bulls’ track & field team.
The former Grove City High standout and multiple PIAA placewinner and gold-medalist improved as the season progressed in Mid-American Conference, NCAA and ultimately, national-caliber competition.
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Landino, Gramley qualify for Kings finals
Hickory High student-athlete Olivia Landino and Sharon resident Brendan Gramley have qualified for the annual Kings Family Restaurants/Tri-State PGA’s Junior golf tourney player of the year championships.
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AUTO RACING NOTEBOOK: Mike Lutz is chip off the old (engine) block
A FEW WEEKS ago I wrote about racing legend Lou Blaney and his sons, Dave and Dale, who followed him into the sport.
Another local legend is Andy Lutz — and his son is also making his mark on area dirt tracks. Mike Lutz, 40, who was born in Hermitage and currently lives in Mercer, has been around racing his whole life and has racked up 87 career wins in 24 years of racing. -
Grove City Senior LL All-Stars earn berth in state tourney
Grove City Senior Division Little League All-Stars are headed back to the state championships for the second straight year.
The locals scored 10 runs in the 4th inning and went on to defeat Woodland Hills, 13-9, in the Section 2 title game Sunday at Grove City.
The state senior tournament is being held for a 35th straight year in Emporium. At 1 p.m. Thursday, Grove City will play Section 1 winner DuBois. -
Outdoors: Paddling into the Allegheny River headwind
The deep gorge of the Middle Allegheny River evolved from glacial action thousands of years ago, but Mother Nature still plays tricks out there today. Such as the surprising and powerful upstream headwinds that five of us encountered last Saturday in Warren County during a 10-mile float for smallmouth bass.
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SPORTVIEW: Greenville B&I Day features long-drive event as part of 60th anniversary
THE USUAL COMMENT about golf is: “Drive for show, putt for dough.” Then again there are those who drive for show and dough.
And local golf fans will have a chance to see them up close and personal on Aug. 2 during the 1st Northwest Pennsylvania Long Drive Classic which marks the 60th anniversary of Greenville Business & Industry Day.
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Donofrio heads up Kennedy Catholic football
Rumors circulating about Kennedy Catholic High not being able to field a football team this fall are unfounded.
“This is not only about a program, but for the school to have a strong football program so that everybody in the whole school will have pride in that football program,” explained new head coach Archie Donofrio. -
Little League All-Star action
Sharpsville All-Stars will open play in the Section Senior/Junior (14-under) tournament in Swissvale today.
In Major Division (11-12) sectional action recently, Hermitage was eliminated by two close losses, falling to Bullskin Township, 7-6, and West Point-Greensburg, 2-1.
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Necastro golf event will continue 1 more year for the kids
THEY SAY that “All good things must come to an end.” Even so the annual Nicky Necastro Memorial Fund Golf Tournament.
Tony Necastro, who founded the benefit event in behalf of his late wife Nicky 14 years ago, made a sad announcement at the conclusion of this year’s tourney at Avalon Golf and Country Club’s Squaw Creek layout Friday: “One more time!” -
EDITOR'S NOTEBOOK: Cleveland fans need to realize about LeGone: It's not a tragedy!
FANS of the Cleveland Cavaliers and other teams need to put their love of the sport back into perspective.
There was far too much hoopla this week over the announcement by LeBron James that he is leaving the Cavs to play for the Miami Heat.
Understandably, Youngs-town-area TV stations interviewed fans after LeBron’s hour-long special on ESPN Thursday night.
One woman actually shed tears.
Another fan said it was “the worst thing that ever happened” in his life.
Really? I’m glad he’s never been injured or ill or jobless or hungry or grieved for a loved one. - More Sports Headlines
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