Mar 11, 2019 3 min read

Five local wrestlers in Classic

The WPIAL will have five local wrestlers in Friday night’s Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic at Pitt’s Fitzgerald Fieldhouse.

McGuffey’s Christian Clutter, a three-time WPIAL champion, is at 170 pounds. John Vargo of Bentworth will be at 195 pounds, Scott Joll of Belle Vernon at 182, Canon-McMillan’s Kenny Hayman is at 126 and Waynesburg’s Colby Morris at 160.

The WPIAL wrestles New York at 6 p.m. and Pennsylvania wrestles the United States at 8 p.m.

Cal falls to No. 24

The California University women’s basketball team fell three spots to No. 24 in the latest Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Division II Top 25 poll on Monday afternoon.

The Vulcans (24-5) advanced to the semifinals of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Tournament last week. Following a first-round bye, Cal took an 80-68 victory over Gannon in the quarterfinals after scoring over 40 points off turnovers. The Vulcans were then eliminated in the semifinals with a 67-62 loss at Kutztown after struggling with foul trouble and turnovers.

Cal continues to be one of two teams from the PSAC West Division and is one of four teams from the Atlantic Region in the rankings. Virginia Union (25-2) climbed two positions to No. 9 despite being idle last week after winning the CIAA Championship two weeks ago. IUP (26-3) remained at No. 14 after capturing the PSAC Championship over the weekend and Glenville State (29-2) continued to sit at No. 18 after winning the MEC Championship.

The top-five featured multiple changes last week following a pair of upsets in conference tournaments. Drury (Mo.) (31-0) continues to be the consensus No. 1 team in the country with all 24 first-place votes. UC San Diego (29-0) remains at No. 2 as the only other undefeated team in the country and Fort Hays State (Kan.) still ranks No. 3 in the poll. Ashland (29-2) climbs two positions to No. 4 and Northwest Nazarene (Idaho) (28-2) jumps four spots to round out the top five.

The Vulcans open play in the NCAA Tournament on Friday, when they face fifth-seeded Charleston (W.Va.) in Glenville, W.Va., at 7:30 p.m.

Penguins recall forward

The Pittsburgh Penguins have recalled forward Joseph Blandisi on an emergency basis from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League Monday.

Blandisi, who was acquired from the Anaheim Ducks for Derek Grant on Jan. 17, played in one game for Pittsburgh on Jan. 18 in Arizona. He contributed two shots in 6:47 minutes during the Penguins’ 3-2 overtime win.

The 24-year old forward has played in 17 games for WBS this season, recording 15 points (7G-8A) and 37 penalty minutes. Before being acquired, Blandisi played 27 games for the San Diego Gulls of the AHL this season, registering eight goals, 15 assists and 23 points.

W&J’s Cohen honored

Washington & Jefferson men’s lacrosse goalie Noah Cohen earned his first career Presidents’ Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week honor on Monday.

Cohen had a combined 47 saves in two games. The junior backstop logged 20 saves in Wednesday’s game against undefeated Hood.

Cohen followed that performance with 27 saves in a match against Mount Union on Saturday, which is tied for the second most he has made in his collegiate career. The Hewlett, N.Y. native helped guide W&J to a thrilling 8-7 overtime victory.