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OFF THE TEE: Plans under way for annual Niekro Classic at Belmont Hills

Plans for one of the area’s largest and best scrambles are well under way. The 21st annual Niekro Classic will be held on Friday, June 21 at Belmont Hills Country Club. There will once again be an open division and an all-Bridgeport division. The defending champions in the Bridgeport division are Jeff Herink (’86), Matt Herink (’17), Kevin Herink (’19) and Jonathan Kreiter (’14). The open division champions in 2018 were Donnie Cash, Gary Young, Todd Schambach and Anthony Reasbeck. The entry fee is $100 per player and the proceeds benefit Bridgeport High School. The ...

Donahue grad thriving as OVC commissioner

WHEELING - It’s a long journey from Benwood to Nashville via New York. But it is one that Travis Tellitocci has navigated quite successfully. The Bishop Donahue High grad continued his academic career at Marist University. After picking up his college diploma in 2004 from the Poughkeepsie, N.Y. institution, Tellitocci, after a stint with the New York Mets entertainment division, returned to Marist, excelling in several athletic-related capacities. His quality work did not go unnoticed. So much so, Tellitocci exited the Empire State to serve as assistant commissioner of the Ohio ...

OFF THE TEE: Barnesville Alumni Band Scramble set for May 11

The Barnesville Community Alumni Band has become a staple within the Western Belmont County community. Comprised of some 50 members, the band has been playing at Shamrock sporting events and other community functions since 2013. The band has also been part of the lineup for the annual Cancer Research Classic each of the last few years along with the Pumpkin Festivan Memorial Day services in Barnesville and the Barnesville Alumni Banquet. To continue to make music, however, the group must continue to acquire and sometimes repair instruments, which costs money. The band also ...

OVAC extends its borders with expansion into Tuscarawas Co.

WHEELING — Is bigger better? That appears the question after the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference has expanded to another new geographic frontier - that being Tuscarawas County. Dover and New Philadelphia are the latest additions to the OVAC after being unanimously approved at Wednesday’s mandatory athletic directors meeting. Both are quality academic and athletics institutions. The ancient rivals are located just some six miles apart, much like Bellaire and Martins Ferry. The Tornadoes and Quakers, however, do bring about some travel issues if they become full-fledged ...

Madonna grad changing BC hoop culture

BOSTON - A 14-16 record may appear only mediocre. Such is not the case when you are talking Boston College women’s basketball. Joanna (Bernabie) McNamee’s initial year at the Eagles’ helm was marked by drastic improvement for a program steeped in losing. The Madonna High athletic legend inherited a 7-23 squad, one that went 2-14 in the ACC. The Eagles were predicted to finish in the basement of the 15-team loop this year. McNamee, however, has quickly turned BC into a solid ACC outfit, one that will certainly trend upward next year. “In all of my years coaching it was ...

OFF THE TEE: Dowler Scramble set to tee it up on May 20 at BHCC

The annual Thomas R. Dowler Memorial Golf Classic has become a staple of the spring calendar. For the eighth time, the event will be held at Belmont Hills Country Club and is expected to attract a large field of competitors. The event’s proceeds benefit the Thomas R. Dowler Fund at Belmont College. That fund helps Belmont College students. It was established to help the mission of Belmont College. The scramble will be held on Monday, May 20 with a shotgun start slated for noon. Registration and lunch will begin at 11 a.m. “Mr. Dowler, former President of the Board, played an ...