Men’s Golf

The Kent State men’s golf team has a new recruit this season. Prior to Kent State, Corey Conners, tied for medalist honors and helped Canada tie for third place at the Toyota Junior Golf World Cup 2010.

“He’s an unbelievably impressive individual- very strong character,” said Canada Coach Henry Bruton. “You couldn’t get a better young man. He’s improved so much. He’s come so far in the last eight months. It is incredible.”

Conners started off slow but finished with rounds of 65 -66 to help Canada finish in third place at 15 under.

“Coach Page is going to be a very happy man when he gets him at Kent State this fall,” Bruton said. “He gets full marks for what he has accomplished here. He played great golf, he’s playing like a young pro and it’s fun to watch him play.”

Women’s Soccer

Kent State’s women’s soccer team made a change to its 2010 schedule. The Flashes were scheduled to play Wright State on Aug. 27, but due to a scheduling conflict, the meeting was canceled. The teams were unable to find another date in the season to play each other. Coach Rob Marinaro scheduled a preseason scrimmage against Duquesne for Wednesday, Aug. 11 to fill the void on the schedule.

Football

Incoming freshman football player Richard Gray was named Most Valuable Player of the Pennsylvania Squad in the 2010 Big 33 Classic held June 19 in Hershey, Pa.

All-star teams from Ohio and Pennsylvania play against each other in this annual showcase.

Gray was the only Golden Flashes recruit from Pennsylvania, but the Ohio squad featured defensive end Mark Fackler (Kenton, Ohio/ Kenton), wide receiver Sam Miller (Orrville, Ohio/ Orrville) and defensive tackle Roosevelt Nix (Reynoldsburg, Ohio/ Reynoldsburg).

Gray, a linebacker from Pittsburgh, earned four sacks and six tackles for Pennsylvania side in its 18-15 defeat.

Gray will join the Flashes’ returning 49 letter-winners and 20 starters from last year’s team.

Wrestling

Head wrestling coach Jim Andrassy, recently announced Kent State’s freshman team will be made up of a Pennsylvania state champion and four other place winners at state tournaments.

“It’s a smaller group, but it fits the specific type of need that we’re looking for,” Andrassy said. “It’s not just about their high school achievements, we go after guys we think can develop into being a big part of our future.”

State title winner Tyler Small (Littlestown, Pa./Delone Catholic) is expected to compete for a starting spot at the 133 or 141 weight class.

Small will be joined by Andrew Candiello (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny) Jake McCombs (Marysville, Ohio/MarysvilleJacobMellinger(Homeworth,Ohio/West Branch) and Andrew Hollern (Baltimore, Md./Parkville).

The five freshmen will make up the first four weight classes (125-149).

“Realistically we could have all underclassmen starting for us this year,” Andrassy said. “Next year we will be more aggressive in numbers. It’s going to be the most important class as we look to continue building on our recent success.”

In the last two seasons, the Golden Flashes have produced four all-Americans and were ranked No. 16 in the final NWCA Coaches Poll of the 2009-2010 season.

Women’s Golf

Kent State senior Martina Gavier (Cordoba, Argentina) finds herself among eight remaining golf players in the 2010 United States Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship, after 41 holes and a couple of late comebacks.

Gavier is now seeded second after the 36-hole stroke play qualifier knocked off Jessie Jordan, 3&2, on Wednesday. On Thursday, Gavier knocked out Becca Huffer (Notre Dame) with a birdie on the 20th hole. The following afternoon Gavier beat out Michigan State’s Caroline Powers with a birdie on the third hole of sudden death.

The U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links will continue with the quarterfinals and semifinals on Friday. The 36-hole final is scheduled Saturday. Gavier’s quarterfinal match is set to begin at 7:50 a.m. at the Warren Course at Notre Dame. The winner will advance to the afternoon semifinal match with a chance to clinch berth in Saturday’s 36-hole final.