Balash to speak at Curbstone

WFMJ-TV 21 sports director Dana Balash will be the guest speaker at Monday’s luncheon meeting of The Curbstone Coaches at the Avion Banquet Center on Western Reserve Road in Beaver Township.

The event begins at noon and the public is welcome to attend. For those arriving early the buffet lines will open at 11:45 a.m.

Three YSU swimming records set

YOUNGSTOWN — It was a busy day inside Beeghly Natatorium as the Youngstown State men’s and women’s swimming and diving programs kicked off the three-day YSU Invite with three new school records set.

The Penguin divers started off the finals in a very dominant fashion, as Zachary Lao claimed victory in the men’s one-meter dive with a score of 319.90, qualifying for the NCAA Diving Zones, while Rafael Serey-Cormier placed second with a score of 309.20, also high enough for qualification for the NCAA Diving Zones.

Hanna Held placed first in the women’s three-meter diving event with a score of 305.35, beating out teammates Natalie Weissman (276.95) and Haley Conklin (231.80).

Quinn Cynor broke the program record in the men’s 500 free with a time of 4:22.97, breaking the previous record by two seconds. The Penguins notched the top five spots during the event, as Lorenz Beck finished second with a time of 4:36.28, and Poyraz San Askin finished third with a time of 4:36.35.

The Penguin women took the top three spots in their section of the 500 free, as Olivia Sweetman won with a pool-record time of 4:54.42, Derin Donmez finished second with a time of 5:02.17, and Lara Lilic placed third with a time of 5:08.98.

Elliot Elmore finished first in the men’s 200 IM with a pool-record time of 1:51.05, followed by Adrian Andres-Moreno, who was runner-up with a time of 1:53.70.

James Slessor won the men’s 50 breaststroke with a time of 25.24, followed by teammates Adrian Andres-Moreno in second with a time of 25.42, and Dominic Panozzo (Hubbard) in third with a time of 25.84.

Jacob Gramer led the Penguin men to a sweep of the top three spots in the 50 free, as he clocked a time of 20.35. He was followed by Pablo Santos, who placed second with a time of 20.72, and Reid Withey, who placed third with a time of 20.82.

The men’s relays shone, capturing sweeping victories on the day. First, in the 200-free relay, Quinn Cynor, Lorenz Beck, Reid Withey, and Jacob Gramer swam a time of 1:20.32 for the win, while the 400-medley relay team of Cynor, James Slessor, Beck, and Gramer set a new school record with a time of 3:12.42 en route to the win. Their mark was three seconds quicker than the previous school record.

Helen Bernardi placed runner-up in the 50 breaststroke as she clocked a time of 29.67, while Hannah Murray finished third with a time of 29.81.

Hannah Murray finished second place in the women’s 200 IM as she clocked a time of 2:06.12.

Chloe Moore finished third in the women’s 50 free with a time of 23.82.

The Penguin women finished third in the 200-free relay, as Izzy Rossi, Jordan Sarubbi, Katie Hildebrand, and Ximena Young clocked a collective time of 1:38.97.

Garcia among non-tender free agents

NEW YORK — Texas outfielder Adolis García, catcher Jonah Heim and right-hander Josh Sborz were among 66 players who became free agents Friday when they weren’t offered 2026 contracts.

New York Yankees relievers Mark Leiter Jr., Ian Hamilton, Scott Effross and Jake Cousins also were cut loose along with Boston first baseman Nathaniel Lowe, Houston infielder/outfielder Ramón Urías and Chicago White Sox outfielder Mike Tauchman.

Thirty-four players agreed to contracts ahead of the non-tender deadline, led by Kansas City infielder Jonathan India ($8 million), newly acquired Atlanta utilityman Mauricio Dubón ($6.1 million) and Yankees pitcher Clarke Schmidt ($4.5 million).

Others reaching deals included New York Mets outfielder Tyrone Taylor ($3.8 million), Detroit outfielder Matt Vierling ($3,255,000) and Tigers catcher Jake Rogers ($3.05 million).