Penguin Sporting News

Football

Intensity High As Penguins Start Spring Drills on a Sunny Wednesday

Wednesday, March 17 2010

Courtesy of: YSU

Youngstown -- The Youngstown State football team opened Spring Football Practice on a near perfect day at Stambaugh Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. The group worked out with great intensity and enthusiasm for new Head Coach Eric Wolford and his staff. Coach and his staff emphasized the fact that the first workout will not only set the tone for the spring, but the entire 2010 campaign.

The Penguins took the field just before 4 p.m. and wrapped up practice around 6:20, working almost non-stop for two-and-a-half hours. The first hour plus was dedicated to individual work amongst the offensive and defensive units. The final 90 minutes were spent with the offense working against the defense in a variety of situations.

"I saw some good things out there," Wolford said. "I think as a coach, you have to look at the positives. Sometimes you have a tendency to dwell on the negatives. I told our players after practice today if we can find a way to get better everyday at one thing, if each player just gets better each day at one thing, then as we continue to progress, we will have a chance to be a much better football team."

Wolford said one area the team needs to correct is making mistakes - false starts, offsides, alignments - before the whistle. But he attributed that to some anxiousness of the players to make a good first impression on the new coaching staff.

Most of the 80-plus Penguins who are out for Spring Drills took part in the workout. A handful of players did not practice, but worked out for the duration of the workout.

Wolford said some positions had some good competition while at others so players were still trying to find a role right now. Four quarterbacks, with only one having game experience, are vying for playing time while the offensive line has a wealth of experience with all but one player returning from last year's squad.

YSU returns to its practice sessions on Friday at 4 p.m. at Stambaugh Stadium. The team will also practice on Saturday at 1 p.m. Friday marks the first day of the Coaches Clinic for area

Wolford said he was excited about the effort and emotion of everyone involved in Wednesday's practice.

"We wanted to set the tone early," Wolford said. "We're not getting today back. We are going to set the tone for this football team today and I feel good about where we are going. We're not going to accept anything less than their best effort."

Football

Wolford Takes Field For First Time With 2010 Penguins

Tuesday, March 16 2010

Courtesy of:

Youngstown -- For just the sixth time in school history, a new head coach will lead the program and in 2010, Wolford is ready to mold this group, which features 20 seniors, into a fundamentally sound and accountable squad as quickly as possible.

The Penguins are scheduled to practice each Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday the next four weeks with the culmination of Spring Drills set for Saturday, April 10 with the annual Red-White Spring Game. The first day in pads is Saturday, March 20, while scrimmages are set for March 27 and April 3.

YSU does return a good amount of experience from last season's 6-5 squad.

On offense, all-conference selections Eric Rodemoyer and Dominique Barnes lead the way for new coordinator Shane Montgomery. Rodemoyer played primarily left guard last season, but say some action later in the campaign as a left tackle. He was a second-team All-Missouri Valley Football and named the team's top Offensive Lineman. Barnes, an honorable-mention pick, led the conference in touchdown receptions with eight and caught 60 passes, which ranks as the sixth-highest single-season total in school history.
Senior wide receiver Dominique Barnes caught 60 passes, including a conference-leading eight touchdown grabs in 2009.

The positions on offense that will garner the most attention will be quarterback and tailback. Only two players, out of nine at those spots on the roster, have played in an FCS contest -- quarterback Marc Kanetsky and tailback Jamaine Cook.

Kanestsky started and played the first quarter in the season finale last November at North Dakota State. Kurt Hess and Gannon Hulea each redshirted last season while freshman Meiko Locksley joined the program in January after graduating from high school in December. Brandon Summers had been the primary starter the past two years and leaves the program having set a record for career and season completion percentage.

Cook had 20 carries for 111 yards during his true freshman season in 2009. Torrian Pace redshirted last year while Devanuel Samuel and Paris Wicks were members of the team, but did not see action.

At fullback, senior Kyle Banna has the only experience. Banna missed the first four games last season after recovering from a knee injury he suffered in 2009. His brother, Dan, and Rob Stupar both redshirted last season as freshmen.

Barnes leads a talented group of wide receivers. Entering his senior campaign, he has a reception in 21 consecutive contests and has caught 101 passes in his career. Josh Lee had four receptions - two versus Austin Peay and two against North Dakota State - and will be counted on to play a larger role. Jelani Berassa caught four passes last season in his inaugural campaign. Others who could be called on to see action are Ely Ducatel, Dionte Snow, Trey Rich and Trevell Brown.

At tight end, both David Rogers and Andy Colegrove return. Each saw time as a starter in 2009. Rogers was the leading receiver with eight catches, while Colegrove's lone grab was for a touchdown. Rogers suffered an injury in the season finale at North Dakota State and is trying to return for spring ball. Carson Sharbaugh and Kyle Sirl both redshirted in the fall.

The offensive line is the most experienced of the unit. Eric Rodemoyer, Bobby Coates, Andrew Radakovich, Tyler Figueroa, Greg Sazdanoff, Chris Gammon, Bill Dugan and Justin Rechichar all started at some point in 2009. Rodemoyer was a second-team all-conference pick as a guard. YSU lost only one lineman from last season's team in right guard Brian Mellott.

D.J. Main, Kyle Brown, Marcus O'Hara, redshirt freshman Brandon White and Bowling Green transfer Marc Stevens will look to find time at a deep area.

The defensive front lost stalwarts Mychal Savage and Crispin Fernandez, but the cupboard is not bare. Luke Matelan started all 11 games last season while fellow senior Torrance Nicholson has been a starter in the past and was a top-line reserve last year. Junior Joe Marshall has also seen significant playing time in the past two seasons. Linebacker John Sasson has moved up to an end position and will join Josh Myers and Jaimie Frasure as experienced players at those positions. Also on the front line, seniors Roger Gillum, Rob Fernback and Brad Miller have seen action in the past. Others that will help out across the front are Fred Herdman, Obinna Ekweremuba, Brett Lemke, D.J. Moss and Jimmy Dickson.

The linebackers are a strong group with Taylor Hill, Deonta Tate, Stephen Meadows, Na'eem Outler and David Rach having starting experience. Meadows was the Guins' starting rush end for all 11 games last season and is joined by Joel Younkins as players who have experience. Hill became the first freshman to lead in the team in tackles since 1986 a year ago, while Outler led the position in tackles for losses and sacks. Others who could see action are Noah Taylor and Michael Kreatsoulas who have each been with the program for three seasons. Sophomore Mike Williams redshirted last season and is joined by Chase Lemke and Ethan Slark.
Rush end Stephen Meadows started all 11 games for the Guins last season.

At cornerback, senior Brandian Ross started all 11 games, while the other position is up for grabs. Ross had 47 tackles and tied for the team lead with two interceptions in 2009. The other corner spot is vacant with the departure of Lenny Wicks. Randy Louis and Jerome Swinton each saw some action last season. Louis has the most experience of that duo. The other individuals playing the position this spring are Matt Romeo, Vance Gibbs, Christian Smith and Kevin Sims.

The safeties feature experience at both spots. Honorable-Mention All-MVFC selection Andre Elliott returns and has started each of the past two years at free safety. Scott Sentner and David Fleming each bring experience to the back end at the free spot. At strong safety, Nick Gooden has started nine games in the past two seasons while David Fleming saw solid action last year as a redshirt freshman. Others who could contribute at either safety spot are redshirt Dom Rich along with Mike McGlone and Troy Rice.

On special teams, senior placekicker/kickoff specialist Stephen Blose returns along with punter Erik Johnson. Blose made all 27 of his PAT conversions last season and was 9-of-16 on field-goal attempts. Blose has handled kickoff duties each of the past three seasons. Johnson punted 11 times, however four were downed inside the 20-yard line and just two were returned. Bob Gratz and Nick Liste, a redshirt, will vie for time at the placekicker spot while Jarrod Satmare help with punting duties. Nate Schkurko and Bryan Whitaker return as long snappers while Kanetsky is back as the holder for the third consecutive year.

Barnes and Cook combined to return 29 kickoffs. Barnes had 20 runbacks while Cook returned nine. Lee has also been in the mix as a kickoff returner the past two years. As far as punt returns, the Penguins will be looking for a playmaker to file that role this spring.

Here is the Spring Schedule:

Wednesday, March 17 4 p.m. Practice #1
Friday, March 19 4 p.m. Practice #2
Football Clinic
Saturday, March 20 1 p.m. Practice #3
Football Clinic
Monday, March 22 4 p.m. Practice #4
Wednesday, March 24 4 p.m. Practice #5
Friday, March 26 4 p.m. Practice #6
Saturday, March 27 10 a.m. Practice #7
Monday, March 29 4 p.m. Practice #8
Wednesday, March 31 4 p.m. Practice #9
Friday, April 2 4 p.m. Practice #10
Saturday, April 3 10 a.m. Practice #11
Monday, April 5 4 p.m. Practice #12
Tuesday, April 6 Noon Bob Dove
Spring Luncheon
Wednesday, April 7 4 p.m. Practice #13
Friday, April 14 4 p.m. Practice #14
Saturday, April 10 12:05 p.m. Red-White
Spring Game

Football

Wolford: No one’s job is safe

Tuesday, March 16 2010

Courtesy of: JOE SCALZO Vindicator sports staff

When YSU coach Eric Wolford was an upperclassman playing offensive line at Kansas State in the early 1990s, the coaches annually brought in recruits who wanted to take his job.

“And you know what? It wasn’t going to happen,” said Wolford, a four-year starter under Bill Snyder. “That’s the type of mentality you have to have.”

Since being hired in December, Wolford has made it clear that no jobs will be guaranteed based on reputation or experience, vowing to start younger players if they’re just as good as the upperclassmen.

With spring practice starting Wednesday and YSU’s staff promising the depth chart will be wide open, that could make for some uneasy upperclassmen.

“I was taught at a young age in this profession, if you have a guy that’s a sophomore and you have a guy who’s going to be a senior and they’re both equal, the sophomore is going to be with you for two more years,” Wolford said. “In my eyes, a senior should never let a sophomore beat you out.

“You should have enough pride that you won’t let that happen.”

It’s sure to be an unsettling stance for players who are already unsure of their role with the new coaching staff. But after going 10-13 the past two seasons, Wolford believes the players need to impress his staff and not vice versa.

“I think it’s exciting for them because they know they have a fresh start,” he said. “I’ve made it clear to them during this offseason what the expectations are around here. They know that. They have a pretty good idea how we’re going to practice. I think they’ve got a pretty good idea how we’re going to coach them.”

The Penguins have spent the past few weeks working out at 6 a.m. with the coaches and Wolford has shown a tough love approach.

“I want to find out what these guys’ breaking point is and try to instill in them that they can handle a lot more than they think they can,” he said. “We’ve kind of cleared the air at some of these 6 a.m. [workouts] about what exactly it means to do things exactly right and what is effort.

“Everybody’s going to be accountable. Our players will be accountable for their actions.”

Wolford said he’s looking for players who are willing to compete hard and be prepared, even if they’re not starters. Because there’s always a chance the player in front of you might miss practice for injury or sickness, opening the door to get more playing time.

“You don’t know when your opportunity’s going to come,” he said. “Why not seize it?

“Why not say, ‘You know what? You’re not getting your job back today. It’s mine now.’ ”

Women's Basketball

Cindy Martin Resigns as YSU’s Head Women’s Basketball Coach

Monday, March 15 2010

Courtesy of:

Youngstown -- Cindy Martin has resigned from her position as the head women’s basketball coach at Youngstown State University, announced Ron Strollo, YSU’s Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. A national search for Martin’s replacement will begin immediately.

Martin was the head coach at YSU for two seasons, and the Penguins went a combined 3-57 in her tenure. The Penguins were 3-27 in 2008-09 and 0-30 in 2009-10.

“I have decided to step down from my position because I feel in my heart it is what’s best for the program at this time,” Martin said. “I want to thank Youngstown State University and the athletic department for the wonderful opportunity. We signed back-to-back recruiting classes that are committed to their successes both on and off the court.”

“I hope my ladies and staff have learned as much from me as I have learned from them over the last two years.”

Martin inherited a roster that was heavy on relatively-inexperienced seniors and had one incoming signee when she took over the program in April 2008. After a 3-27 season in which she depended on many first-time contributors, Martin and her coaching staff signed a total of 10 student-athletes who would have been eligible to play in 2009-10. However, only three of those appeared in a game during the year as the Penguins had a maximum of eight players in uniform. Three incoming players had season-ending injuries, three players did not meet academic requirements and another left the university on the first day of the fall semester.

Those that did play were effective as newcomers Brandi Brown and Bojana Dimitrov were the team’s top two scorers. Brown was runner-up for the Horizon League Newcomer-of-the-Year award and had one of the best freshman seasons in school history.

“We were surprised at Coach Martin’s decision to resign at this time,” Strollo said. “She accepted a difficult challenge in rebuilding the winning tradition of YSU women’s basketball, and she and her staff worked tirelessly the past two years toward that end. We understand the end results of this past season put their efforts to the test, but a full examination of the extenuating circumstances that led to this year’s outcomes makes those familiar with the situation supportive of the progress she made.”

“However, Coach Martin’s unselfish attitude has led her to decide that the perceptions are too difficult to overcome, and, in the best interest of the future of YSU women’s basketball, she needed to step down. She has brought two solid recruiting classes to our program, most notably All-Newcomer Team selection Brandi Brown, so the foundation is much stronger than before her arrival. The integrity she has displayed in resigning only magnifies the reasons she was the right choice when we chose her as our head coach. We wish her nothing but the best in her future coaching endeavors.”

Off the court, the women’s basketball team was a model program. The Penguins were a fixture in the community as they completed at least 30 community service projects in the past two seasons. The team was also strong in the classroom as it had a combined 3.29 grade-point average in the fall 2009 semester.

Diving

Hill Places 40th at Zone C Diving Championships in One-Meter Event

Sunday, March 14 2010

Courtesy of: YSU

West Lafayette, Ind. -- Youngstown State freshman diver Casey Hill placed 40th in the preliminary round of the one-meter competition at the Zone C Diving Championships on Friday afternoon at the Purdue Aquatics Center.

Hill finished with a six-dive total of 196.55 in her first appearance in the meet. The 18 advance to the finals which will be held later this evening. Of those 18, nine advance to the NCAA Championships.

Hill will be in three-meter diving competition on Saturday. That even begins at 1 p.m.

Women's Tennis

Penguins Drop Home Contest to Akron

Sunday, March 14 2010

Courtesy of: YSU

Boardman -- The Youngstown State women's tennis team dropped a 7-0 contest to No. 67 Akron on Friday afternoon at the Boardman Tennis Center.

YSU senior Tanisha Welch had the best individual performance for the Penguins dropping a three-set contest to Anya Baronayte 4-6, 7-5, 10-4 at No. 4 singles. Welch had a lead in the second set before Baronayte rallied to earn the victory.

In other singles action, Margarita Sadovnikova lost to Akron's Zara Harutyunyan 6-1, 6-2 at No. 1; at No. 2 singles, Lauren Hankle retired in the second set after dropping the first 6-3 to Angelika Jogasuria; at No. 3, Anna Volkova lost 6-0, 6-2 to Prang Pantusart; at No. 5, Nicole Haramlambopoulos lost to Jeremie Benjamin 6-2, 6-3 and at No. 6 singles, Hannah Patten was defeated by Carolina Castro Cota 7-6 (6-2), 6-1.

In double action, the Zips won at No. 1 8-5 and at No. 2 8-2.

YSU returns to action on Wednesday when it plays host to Pittsburgh at the Boardman Tennis Center. First serve is set for noon.

Akron 7, Youngstown State 0
Friday, March 12 - Boardman Tennis Center
SINGLES
1. Harutyunyan (UA) def. Sadovnikova (YSU) - 6-1, 6-2
2. Jogasuria (UA) def. Hankle (YSU) - 6-3, retired
3. Pantusart (UA) def. Volkova (YSU) - 6-0, 6-2
4. Baronayte (UA) def. Welch (YSU) - 4-6, 7-5, 10-4
5. Benjamin (UA) def. Haralambopulos (YSU) - 6-2, 6-3
6. Castro Cota (UA) def. Patten (YSU) - 7-6 (2), 6-1

DOUBLES
1. JOGASURIA/PANTUSART (UA) def. HARALAMBOPOULOUS, N./SADOVNIKOVA, M. (YSU) 8-5
2. BENJAMIN/HARUTYUNYAN (UA) def. VOLKOVA, Anna/WELCH, Tanisha (YSU) 8-2
3. BARONAYTE/CASTRO COLA def. PATTEN, Hannah/HANKLE, Lauren (YSU) by default