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High school cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, field hockey and volleyball box scores and highlights for Monday, September 9, 2013

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CLEVELAND, Ohio — Here are box scores and highlights in boys and girls cross country, boys and girls golf, boys and girls soccer, field hockey, girls tennis and volleyball from Monday, September 9, 2013. BOYS SOCCER

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Here are box scores and highlights in boys and girls cross country, boys and girls golf, boys and girls soccer, field hockey, girls tennis and volleyball from Monday, September 9, 2013.

BOYS SOCCER

Archbishop Hoban 5, Padua 0

AH (5-1-0): Easton 2, Sarver, McGee, Londa.

Goalies: AH, Martin (3), Markowski (2); P, Pullar (5).

Avon 2, Olmsted Falls 0

A (5-1-1): Minotti (2). 

Rocky River 5, Fairview 0

RR (7-0): Wischmeier (2), Duncan, Newby, Klodnick. F (5-2): None. 

Goalies: RR, Liva (2 saves); F, Karliak (6). 

Elyria Catholic 2, Hawken 1

EC: O'Halloran, Saddler (PK). H: Davis.

Goalies: EC, Conroy (7 saves); H, Gilchrist (13). 

Keystone 2, Brooklyn 2

K (1-3-1, 0-1-1): Fitzgerald (2). B (1-3-1, 0-2-1): Wiencek, Eddeb.

Goalies: K, Moffat (4 saves), Cyrus (2); B, T. Czirr (8).

Lakewood 2, Berea-Midpark 2

L (0-6-1): Kemp, White. BM (2-1-3): Hritz, Robertson.

Goalies: L, Fehrenbach (7 saves); BM, Bartek (6). 

Oberlin 3, Open Door 3

O (3-2-1): J. DeBouter, A. DeBouter, Levine. OD (1-4-2): M. Dutton, S. Dutton 2.

Goalies: O, Tadenhead (4 saves); OD, Thomas (6).

Notable: Solomon Dutton scored two goals to preserve a tie.

Shaker Heights 9, Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin 1

SH (4-2): LaMonica 2, Todl 2, Foremski, Roth, Metz, Straffon, Shutkin. NDCL (3-1-3): Paterniti.

Goalies: SH, Prochoroff (6 saves), Seballos (1); NDCL, Koubeck (6), Tieterich (6).

Notable: Ryan LaMonica and Matthew Todl each netted two goals and one assist.

LATE:

Brooklyn 2, Keystone 2 

B (1-3-1): Wiencek, Eddeb. K (1-3-1): Fitzgerald (2). 

Goalies: B, T. Czirr (8 saves); K, Lilly (4), Cyrus (2).

North Royalton 3, Brecksville-Broadview Heights 0

NR: De Mattie,  Lopes,  Grida. B: None.

Goalies: NR, Fikar (6 saves); B, Slifcak (7).

GIRLS SOCCER

Avon 1, Olmsted Falls 0

A (5-1-1): Joyce. OF: None.

Goalies: A, Grudzien (2 saves); OF, Walchanowicz (11). 

Bay 3, Chagrin Falls 0

B (6-0-1): Bay goals: McBride, Lempke, J. Holmes. CF (1-3-2): None. 

Goalies: B, Grisnik (5 saves); CF, Friedman (12).

Notable: The shutout was the fifth for Bay Village goalie Ashley Grisnik on the season. 

Berea-Midpark 3, Midview 1

BM: Bainbridge (3). M: Morgan Bowman. 

Goalies: BM, Sasak (15 saves); M, Ceh (11). 

Brunswick 2, Wadsworth 2

B (5-1-2): Geena Gamble (2); W (5-0-1): Runkle, Berger.

Goalies: B, Calhoun (5 saves); W, Centea (4).

Buckeye 1, Wooster 0

B (5-1-1): S. Barnes. W (2-2-2): None. 

Goalies: B, Stacy (6 saves); W, Wudarzewski (1). 

Cleveland Heights 3, Brush 0

CH (5-1): Jackson 3.

Goalies: CH, Moton (4); B, Woyma (8).

Notable: Senior forward Arion Jackson scored a hat trick and senior Doleshia Moton got the shutout.

Copley 0, Westlake 0

C (4-2-1): None. W (1-0-3): None. 

Goalies: C, Moore (8 saves); W, Maynard (4). 

Hawken 3, Wellington 0

H: Zalar (2), Randelson. W: None.

Goalies: H, O'Day (1 save); W, Sparks (18). 

Independence 168, West Geauga 173

1. Alex Carsel (I) 39; T1. Tyler Wilson (I) 39; T1. Matt Forrai (WG) 39. 

North Olmsted 4, Mentor 2 

North Ridgeville 2, Brookside 1

NR (3-3-0): Zingale 2. B (3-3-2): M. Sours.

Goalies: NR, Casement (6 saves); B, Sanchez (7).

Notable: Senior forward Kayla Zingale scored both goals for the winners.

Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin 1, Mayfield 0
 
NDCL (2-3-1): Kubek. M: None. 
 
Goalies: NDCL, N/A (5 saves); M, Stickley (3).

Oberlin 3, Open Door 0

O: Lesesne (3).

Goalies: O, Odiduro (9); OD, N/A (12).

Notable: Judith Lesesne posted the hat trick and Ade Odiduro led the shutout.

Padua 6, Chardon 0

P: J. Rauhe (2), DaFonseca, Giel, Bri. Wolfe, Bra. Wolfe. C: None.

Goalies: P, Carroll (2), Willoughby (2); C, Lyons (8). 

Parma 5, Valley Forge 0

Singles: Breedlove d. Kugler 6-0, 6-0; Bell d. Zito 6-0, 6-2; Miller d. Proch 6-0, 6-1.

Doubles: Kaur/Knauss d. Hewston/Kaczmarek 6-0, 6-0; Hipwell/Staber d. Reass/Arthur 6-0, 6-0.

Trinity 11, Fuchs Mizrachi 0

T (5-1): Garey (3), Hawersaat (3), Matonis, Walsh, Polinski, Eyerman, Stakes. FM: None.

Goalies: Heese (3 saves); FM, Bibbins (8), Weiss (4). 

Twinsburg 2, Solon 0

T (8-0): J. Sanborn, D'Isidoro. S (5-2): None.

Goalies: T, Cooke (2 saves), McGlinchy (1); S, Confroy (5).

Vermilion 9, Sandusky 0

V (2-3-0): Kowal (3), Bartlome (2), Shreve, Delgross, Smith, Benko.

Goalies: V, A. McCurdy (3), Kleihans (0); S, Hallingshead (N/A).

West Geauga 1, Beaumont 0

WG: Caitlin Curtis. B: None. 

Goalies: WG, Guarnera (10 saves); B, Nemeck (8). 

LATE:

Brunswick 1, Medina 0

B (5-1-1): Shotzbarger. M (3-1-2): None. 

Goalies: B, Calhoun (12 saves); M, Reynolds (1).

Notable: For Medina, the defeat marked the first time since 1997 the Blue Devils knocked off the Medina Lady Bees at Memorial Stadium in Medina. 

Cleveland Heights 6, Shaw 1

CH: K. Saunders (2), Steiger (2), Birks, Moton. S: Humphries.

Goalies: S, Henderson (11 save); CH, Moton (2), Ward (2). 

Mentor 3, West Geauga 1

M: Rozic, Knapp, Cassella; WG: Zuzek.

Goalies: M (4 saves); WG (13 saves). 

Western Reserve 8, Canton Central Catholic 0

WRA (2-4-1): Nelsen (2), McCormick (2), Hickox, Maggie Wise, Saucier, Sudilovsky. CCC (1-3-2): None. 

Goalies: CC, Bagnola (5 saves), Parson (4); WRA, Berry, Paparella. 

GIRLS GOLF

Avon 169, Rocky River 200

At Bob O Link

1. Warnkin (A) 37; 2. Julia Gentner (RR) 38; 3. Schatschneider (A) 43.

Bay 202, North Ridgeville 222

At Pine Brook

1. Gerome (NR) 41; 2. Burns (B) 50; 3. Fox (B) 52. 

Canterbury Girls' Invitational

At Canterbury

How they finished: 1. Magnificat 333; 2. Hawken 343; 3. Walsh Jesuit 348; 4. Hathaway Brown 373; 5. Beaumont 374; 6. Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin 380; 7. Avon Lake 390; 8. St. Joseph 398; 9. John F. Kennedy 446; 10. Laurel 457.

Top individuals: 1. Hollis (M) 72; 2. Jereb (NDCL) 76; T2. Morris (NDCL) 76; T2. Schroeder (AL) 76; 5. Reilly (WJ) 81.

Green 171, Tallmadge 227

At Turkeyfoot

1. Jackson (G) 38; 2. Pearce (G) 42; 3. Babbin (G) 44.  

Perry 218, Berkshire 245

At Powderhorn

1. Miller (P) 47; 2. Brown (P) 56; 3. Mayer (B) 51.

Stow 179, Mayfield 207, Cuyahoga Falls 211

At Fox Den

1. Griffith (S) 42; 2. Huber (S) 43; 3. Hendershot (S); T3. Cottrell (CF) 46. 

BOYS GOLF

Brush 187, Trinity 191

At Manakiki

1. Shlonsky (B); 2. 39; 2. Filippi (T) 43; 3. LeSueur (T); T3. Bennett (T) 47.

*Lutheran West 161, Bay 161 

At Sweetbriar

1. Kyle (B) 35; 2. Gossman (LW) 39; T2. Konstan (LW) 39. 

*Lutheran West narrowly edged Bay Village by one-stroke on a tie-breaker. 

Perry 150, Edgewood 180

1. Bagdonas (P) 34; 2. Velecheck (P) 41; 3. Wilpula (E) 43.

LATE: 

Holy Name 346, Buckeye 354, Black River 483

At Brunswick Hills

1. Miller (B) 78; 2. Burden (HN) 85; 3. Scholl (HN) 86.

Notable: In only his second varsity match of the season, Jacob Burden led Holy Name with rounds of 42 and 43. 

Madison Country Club Invitational

At Madison 

How they finished: 1. Perry 314; 2. Geneva 348; 3. Western Reserve Academy 352; 4. Madison 383

Top individuals: 1. CJ Bagdonas (P) 73; 2. Ward (P) 78; 3. B. Bagdonas (P) 81; 4. Jackisch 82; T5. Kifer (P), Nappi (G) 83; T7. Velecheck (P), J. Wang (WRA) 84; 9. Paterson (M) 86; T10. Murray (WRA), Huang (G) 87.

GIRLS TENNIS

Amherst 4, St. Joseph 1

Singles: Keron (A) d. Waltos (SJA) 6-1,6-3; Souders (A) d. FitzGerald (SJA) 7-5,6-3; Franta (A) d. McAfee (SJA) 6-1,7-6 (6). 

Doubles: Szucs/Sturges (A) d. Ruebensaal/Rouse (SJA) 6-4,6-4; Saracina/Powers (SJA) d. Lander/McDermott (A) 7-5,6-0. 

Andrews Osborne 3, Lake Catholic (B team) 2

Singles: Petrelli (AOA) d. Biats (LC) 6-1, 6-0; Richlak (LC) d. Du (AOA) 2-6, 7-5, 6-3; Sager (AOA) d. Tucker (LC) 6-3, 6-1.

Doubles: Duncan/McLean (AOA) d. Pashkey/Jernejcic (LC) 7-5, 6-3; Kucera/Waller (LC) d. Duke/Hadzinsky (AOA) 6-1, 6-0.

Avon Lake 4, Olmsted Falls 1

Singles: Hrivnak (A) d. Taylor (O) 6-0, 6-0; Krieg (A) d. Starck (O) 6-2; 6-2;  Johnson (A) d. Bennett (O) 6-2, 6-2.

Doubles: Sabo/Hoffman (A) d. Bokman/Bertrand (O) 6-2, 6-1; Bertrand/Ashton (O) d. Loebick/Swansinger (A) 6-2, 2-6, 6-2.

Harvey 4, Conneaut 1  

Singles: Beamer (H) d. Chadwick 6-0, 6-3; Winters (H) d. LaRusch 6-1, 6-1; Carraher (C) d.  Harness 6-3, 6-4.

Doubles: Koren/Cipriano (H) d. Shelby/McCartney 1-6, 6-4, 6-1; Van Winkle/Slay (H) d. Silvia/Furman 6-1, 6-3. 

Mayfield 4, Hudson 1

Singles: Vizelman (M) d. Mdzinarishvili (H) 6-3, 6-2; Schmitt (M) d. Mawby (H) 6-2, 5-7, 6-4; Graham (H) d. Milenius (M) 6-2, 6-2. 

Doubles: Caine/Mulvihil (M) d. Chen/Wang (H) 6-3, 6-3; Rotenberg/Hsu (M) d. Kreiss/Dalieh (H) 6-3, 7-6 (10-8).

Midview 3, Fairview 2

Singles: Pickering (M) d. Fratzke (F) 6-0, 6-3; Gipson (M) d. Popa (F) 6-2, 6-4; Bartone (M) d. Vandra (F) 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.

Doubles: Aguirre/Palmer-Tesema (F) d. Sedlak/Hogue (M) 6-1, 3-6, 6-6 (9-7); Filkil/Ford (F) d. Patel/Kenyon (M) 6-0, 6-3.

North Royalton 5, Brunswick 0 

Singles: Muren (NR) d. Yuhas (B); Kauppka (NR) d. Santiago (B) 6-1, 6-1; Panigutti (NR) d. Spaeth (B) 6-2, 6-0.

Doubles: Haines/Abby Packard (NR) d. Nawash/Boyer 6-0, 6-2; Baldari/Kostansek (NR) d. Stojanovic/Webb (B) 6-1, 6-2.

NDCL 3, Beaumont 2

Singles: Barone (B) d. Didovic (N) 6-2, 6-2; Kus (N) d. Connelly (B) 6-1, 6-1; Leone (B) d. Zolikoff (N) 6-1,6-3.

Doubles: D'Angor/Shimooka (N) d. Knezevic/Cira 7-6, 6-3; Laa/Pearce (N) d. Rowane/Allen (B) 7-5, 6-2. 

North Ridgeville 4, Lake Ridge 1

Singles: Mihalski (NR) d. Al-Haddad (LR) 6-2, 6-0; Wishner (NR) d. Hatcher (LR) 6-0, 6-0; other singles N/A.

Doubles: Soto/Humpherys (LR) d. McCloskey/Slone (NR) 7-6 (7-2), 6-2; Bronker/O'Neal (NR) d. Norton/Duncan (LR) 6-0, 6-0.

Revere 3, Highland 2

Singles: Hendrickson (R) d. Jones (N) 6-2, 6-1; Henry (R) d. Agra (N) 6-2, 6-2;

 Lifke (R) d. Schmocker (N) 6-0, 6-0.

Doubles: Schwed/Hawks (N) d. Ling/Taylor (R) 7-5, 6-3; Freeman/Deblenovich (N) d. Shimek/Godard (R) 6-2, 7-6 (7-3).

Shaker Heights 4, Mentor 1

Singles: Weaver (M) d. Nejedlik (S) 6-3, 6-0; Block (S) d. Gliebi (M) 6-2, 6-2, Frierson (S) d. M. Siegel (M) 6-2, 6-0.

Doubles: Maury/Frierson (S) d. Gorjup/Radel (M) 6-2, 6-3, Kao/Hummel (S) d. Robertson/Stanich (M) 6-4, 6-0.

Solon 3, Medina 2

Singles: Deimling (M) d. Kandakai (S) 6-1, 6-2; Bandi (S) d. Ott (M) 6-4, 6-2; Lander (S) d. Speckman (M) 0-6, 6-1, 6-3.

Doubles: Arnold/Major (M) d. Baird/Moore (S) 2-6, 6-4, 6-3; Santani/Smith (S) d. Liebler/Greene (M) 3-6, 5-7.

Strongsville 3, Cuyahoga Falls 2

Singles: Peskura (S) d. Green 3-6, 6-0, 6-1; J. McCurdy (CF) d. Khan 6-0, 6-4; Pearson (CF) d. Shah 7-5, 6-3.

Doubles: Rowe/Moser (S) d. Bowery/H. McCurdy 6-1, 7-5; Sridharan/Tan (S) d. Johnston/Long 6-0, 6-3.

Western Reserve 3, Beachwood 2

Singles: King (WRA) d. Crosby (B) 6-0, 6-0; Deeter (WRA) d. Jiao (B) 6-1, 6-2; Hufferman (WRA) d. Kuang (B) 6-0, 6-0.

Doubles: S.Tall/J.Tall (B) d. Clayman/Wood (WRA) 6-1, 6-2; Blum/Miller (B) d. Zupar/Lui (WRA) 6-2, 6-4. 

Westlake 4, Brecksville-Broadview Heights 1

Singles: Dunbar (W) d. Woiwood (B) 6-0, 6-0; Choban (W) d. DeSantis (B) 6-0, 6-1; Golick (W) d. Kondonarchichi (B) 6-0, 6-2.

Doubles: Reddy/Kelleher (W) d. Wong/Olsen (B) 6-4, 2-6, 6-2; Matta/Forid (B) d. Tanker/Ramachandran (W) 6-1, 3-6, 6-3.

FIELD HOCKEY

Hawken 4, Cleveland Heights 0

H: Hillenbrand, Ungar, Parker, Ursu. CH: None.

VOLLEYBALL

Beaumont d. Twinsburg 24-25, 15-25, 10-25

Notable: Zoe Rivet led Beaumont in assists with 16 and her teammate, Mackenzie Harrison led in kills with 12. 

Central Catholic d. Akron East 25-16, 25-22, 25-19

Notable: Lizandra Alicea had seven aces and two kills.

Gilmour d. Brunswick 25-16, 25-20, 25-18

Notable: Jess Janota registered 11 kills, 12 digs, four blocks. Megan Polak had five kills, 20 assists and 20 digs.

Riverside d. Willoughby South 25-18, 21-25, 25-23, 25-16

Notable: Riverside's Katelyn Selleny tallied the most assists (32), Jess Marut had the most digs (32) and Melissa Maczuzak led in kills (16). 

Brush d. Shaw 25-19, 25-18, 25-16

Columbia d. Hawken 27-25, 25-12, 25-13

St. Martin De Porres d. Lutheran East   25-22, 25-22, 17-25, 25-4

LATE: 

North Ridgeville Quad

North Ridgeville d. Shaker Heights 25-6, 25-14

Notable: Jessica Lentz had six kills and Emily Daveant had eight digs.

North Ridgeville d. Massillon Perry 25-16, 25-21

Notable: Allyson Hosler served four aces.

North Ridgeville d. Sandusky 25-9, 25-15

Notable: Ashlee Kapferer led winners with five kills.


Manager Terry Francona at diplomatic best after only 9,794 fans watch Cleveland Indians beat Royals

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Another small crowd watched another big victory by the Indians on Monday night at nearly empty Progressive Field.

Umpires talk over Terry Francona appealTerry Francona was busy getting Carlos Santana's disputed home run reviewed -- it went in the Indians favor -- Monday night in the seventh inning, but he certainly noticed another small turnout at Progressive Field to watch the contending Indians. 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- For the second time on this nine-game homestand, the contending Indians hit a new low. Not on the field, but in the stands.

The smallest September crowd in the history of Progressive Field walked through the gates Monday night to see the Indians beat Kansas City, 4-3, and move within 1 1/2 games of the second wild card and 4 1/2 games of first-place Detroit in the AL Central.

Tuesday's crowd numbered 9,794. It was just slightly lower than the previous-record holding crowd of 9,962 that saw the Indians beat the Orioles, 4-3, on Sept. 3. The Indians have eight home games left so who knows how long Monday's record will last?

Manager Terry Francona said he had a stomach ache watching closer Chris Perez grind out a bases-loaded save in the ninth inning. With 19 games left, the Indians are 1 1/2 games behind Tampa Bay for the second wild card spot and 4 1/2 behind the Tigers in the AL Central.

"I think everyone knows what's going on here," said Francona. "It's a lot of fun to be a part of. It's nerve-wracking. . .it's a lot of things. But it's a lot of fun to be a part of."

When asked about the crowd, Francona was at his diplomatic best.

"I think everybody would like to play in front of a packed house," said Francona. "My view of it is that we have a responsibility to play as well as we can and hope the people that do come enjoy it and our proud of us.

"I think that's the best we can do. That's how I feel."

The Indians, in contention since early May, have already won seven more games than they did all last year. They're 11 games over .500 at 77-66, but rank 14th in the 15-team American League in attendance at just over 1.4 million.

Strapped a camera to Buckeyes drummer's head: First-person video of Ohio State's marching alumni band

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We strapped a video camera to the head of a drummer in the Ohio State Alumni Marching Band. Check out the first-person perspective from the field at Ohio Stadium.

Michael Wasserman alumni bandView full sizeWith a camera strapped to his head, Michael Wasserman prepares to leave the Skull Session at St. John Arena to film a first-person video of his marching experience as part of Ohio State's alumni band before the Buckeyes' 42-7 win over San Diego State on Sept. 7.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – What would it be like to storm out onto the Ohio Stadium field in front of more than 105,000 screaming fans banging your snare drum?

Maybe it wouldn’t be the same sensation as hauling in a touchdown pass or kicking a game-winning field goal for Ohio State, but I can’t strap a camera to a football player’s helmet. I can, however, strap a camera to the head of someone marching in the alumni band. 

And I did.

My uncle, Michael Wasserman, who was drummer in Ohio State's marching band from 1972-74 – years that all resulted in trips to the Rose Bowl – marched as part of the alumni band when the No. 3-ranked Buckeyes hosted San Diego State on Saturday. I met him at St. John Arena for the Skull Session and weaseled my way down to the floor (the Cleveland.com pass gets you places, you know).

As I sweated profusely – it’s way too hot in St. John Arena – I strapped the camera to his head and instructed him to hit play before he hit the field. I had a panic attack all morning that he would have hit the wrong button or it wouldn’t work, but I was happy to see that it came out great.

“Once I started playing, I forgot it was there,” said Wasserman, who is every bit of 6-foot-5, so the view was better. “Man, that was awesome.”

Yeah, I agree. It was awesome. Now watch it. 

Note: Special thanks to Andy Gottesman for helping with the necessary equipment to make this project possible. 

And be sure to Show off your marching band videos! We want to see your best band videos, your favorite moments from your best shows. Just uploaded a video to videos.cleveland.com, email a YouTube, Vimeo, or other video link to us, or email short video clips to sendphoto@cleveland.com. We will compile the videos each week on cleveland.com and let visitors to the site pick their favorite performances.

Video: Cleveland Browns in first place - AFC North report

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Watch as Mary Kay Cabot and Tom Reed recap what happened in the AFC North this past weekend.

BEREA, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns beat writers Mary Kay Cabot and Tom Reed take a look at what happened this week to the Bengals, Ravens and Steelers in the AFC North.

The Browns are in a tie for first place at 0-1 because all four teams in the division lost.

The Bengals played an undisciplined game in their 24-21 loss to the Bears.  Pro Bowl receiver A.J. Green had 162 yards and two touchdowns.

The Ravens lost 49-27 to the Broncos Thursday on a night that Denver's Peyton Manning threw seven touchdowns.

The Steelers had a tough 16-9 loss to the Titans. They lost OL Maurkice Pouncey and LB Larry Foote to season ending injuries.

This week, the Browns play the Ravens in Baltimore on Sunday, while the Bengals play host to the Steelers Monday night.  Two teams will lead the division with a 1-1 record.  Who will they be?   

Follow on Twitter: @CLEvideos 


177 Cleveland Browns fans made the right call in the Browns Season Challenge

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177 pessimists made the right call for the Browns game Sunday in our Browns Season Schedule Challenge.


Never let it be said that the Dawg Pound won't step up to a challenge.  More than 400 fans offered up their predictions for the Browns season to come in our Browns Season Challenge, and on Sunday, 177 of them got it right. The pessimists. 

The team lost its home opener to the Miami Dolphins, 23-10.
  But we had 193 optimists who entered a prediction that the Browns would win, proving once again that Cleveland has heart, if not necessarily consistently winning teams.

We'll continue to post the users who made the right call each week, looking for the fan with the crystal ball who got them all right.

About 40 people tried to enter their choices and ran afoul of some data-transfer glitch that recorded their names but nothing else.  We'll look for more robust code to manage that better next time.

These guys predicted a loss and got it right:

neenee, legaleyes, Huntbrown, Cafiniisafootballdope, BIG RAY, BarkeviousGringos, richnj, DawgPoundCraig, einars, dizzy2587, NJ, Thom2-08119, mlsg24, Butt Fumble, Thom3-08119, Petey, GAMECOCK1, brownschuganot, pooponpitbos, JPyles, mittspicks, petranchdad, Calling My Shot, Lauren2002, Lauren, stimpy, niagara t-hawk, Bowman, jludwig, j.k.l., wdnrbll, and

skynyrd74, Montgomery22, KB's Dog's, donsclowns, Lbjkim, GblsBs, Michael L Wilson SR, Brownsw7, atthemike, dawinner, Haslampionship, , wt3, wtg3, larry capri, TMONEY, daveh2949, Gus Brown, browns1st, jjuno, flaray, 3wins, liposse, randolph, SEPcolaBrownsBackers, kldawg, Crumb, , tuff, j.l.beekley, Glorilla Brasky, Rob J Staveskie, Evol11, gizmo, mc, Victim, JN, Shurk1, DD1, flabucki68, and

Big Red Browns Beliver, BIGG L, bnormant, magoogala14, Browns 2013 8-8, Donati, capmjh, Fairfax, fordworker21, brclash, Dean, brwonlessfan, Browns149, BrownieDreams, eternaloptimist, downtown, cbusBrownsfan, Moo, DC Ashtabual, grabski, grabskitj, tjg, polonium84, Daryl183, OrangeBlood, brownsfan19642004, Milt Morin, 2013 Browns, predicted browns win/loss record, brodian, ak-stunner, paul42, dennis1, Steven J. Kerch, Kenny, HwyBlues, scottybs, BOWG, Flaming Browns, 8-8 no playoffs, garybo, emg906, pauls2-13picks, pauls2013picks, mike, sps, partyers, Suchecki2013, Steelerman, pet dog, pit dog, Sandusky, Best, dlte24-3, and

dlte24, Greendot67, Stryder, Charlie2009, mwarat, My 3 Sons, Hess, JJB2, zjcvbm, Richs Picks, DaveInVA, Cigarman, JSLIMBARSKI, Zotar, scott, , Chi-town Browns fan dude guy, akrondave, Stones, NDJAMES, tshombe1950, Bo Knows, jsmooth, ahiggs0718, gunselmo, Randy17, Brownsfan, Marn, Nick, Chumad, bosslogg, Joe Flabeets, Mingos Mangos, jim, jim m, JBirdsList, Zongo, Andre, wonkguy, michele lee 843, hoping,  First Impressions, Jeff's '13 Brownies


Join the Ohio State marching band on the field, peruse the team's latest depth chart and listen to Urban Meyer: Buckeye Breakfast

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Our Cleveland.com coverage crew provides plenty of content to keep you satisfied as the Buckeyes prepare for their upcoming trip to California.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- When you're done being blown away by our first-person perspective video from the Ohio State Alumni Band, make sure you check out the rest of our comprehensive Buckeyes coverage. There is plenty to keep you occupied on this Tuesday.

Ohio State will release its weekly depth chart today. It might be of interest to see if Braxton Miller is listed as anything but the starting quarterback, given his "day to day" status this week as he recovers from a sprained ligament in his left knee. Coach Urban Meyer said during his weekly news conference on Monday that Miller will play if he proves in practice that he is healthy.

Elsewhere on the depth chart, cornerback Bradley Roby is expected to reclaim the starting cornerback spot opposite Doran Grant. Roby missed the opener because of a suspension. He began last week's game on special teams and entered on defense on the third play from scrimmage.

Meyer will be on the weekly Big Ten teleconference at 1:40 p.m. ET. We'll have a report on the fascinating words that flow from his mouth.

Doug Lesmerises will have a story that explores how the Buckeyes' defense will handle the high-octane Cal offense, which has averaged more than 100 plays per game through two contests. Hint: They will not be faking injuries.

We'll also have a story on receiver Corey "Philly" Brown, who has helped construct a friendly rivalry with Meyer. The coach seizes every possible opportunity to take playful jabs at the senior. For Brown, it's all in good fun, which is how he approaches football anyway.

In case you missed our content from Monday, we examined the issues surrounding Miller's durability, or lack thereof. How should Ohio State manage his playing time as he makes his way back from his latest injury? 

After Ohio State and Cal square off on the West Coast, a pair of faces familiar with the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry will do the same down the road in Oakland. Terrelle Pryor will start at quarterback for the Oakland Raiders against the Jacksonville Jaguars, who will deploy Chad Henne under center.

Noah Brown became the latest recruit to commit to Ohio State.

And in non-football news, Aaron Craft is off the market.


Talk Cleveland sports with Terry Pluto today at noon

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Get your questions ready and join Terry Pluto today at noon as he talks Cleveland sports.

Terry Pluto use this new head shotTerry Pluto tackles your questions today at noon.

Get your questions ready and join Terry Pluto today at noon as he talks Cleveland sports.

Pluto will talk with cleveland.com's Glenn Moore about the Tribe's attendance and the Browns' loss to the Dolphins.

You can jump in the chat room and ask your questions as well as interact with other users and respond to Pluto's remarks, or you can just listen. The chat will also be made available shortly after its completion in MP3 format.


Dri Archer's injury status in question at Kent State

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An ankle injury the first game of the season has limited Kent State slotback Dri Archer to just three plays, leading to a lot of speculation about his true injury status.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Speculation is rampant on the Kent State fan forum about Dri Archer, his ankle injury, and why he is on the sidelines while other injured players are making their way back onto the field.

Everything from NFL handlers to a weak heart have been thrown out as reasons the top returning kickoff man in the nation has barely taken a snap this season. He touched the ball for three plays against Liberty. Archer was injured on the second, and never returned after the third.

Watching him walk now on the sidelines without a limp, and without a boot, signals a player at least 80 percent healthy, and good to go.

Yet none of those fans are in his shoes. Head coach Paul Haynes tried to explain Archer's absence simply; "he's a runner."

What few fans know is Archer was just as banged up at this point last season, missing the final quarter of the Kentucky game and wearing a boot for the following week. Then coach Darrell Hazell privately said, had Kent played on the regular seven-day schedule, Archer likely would not have played against Buffalo.

But there was a 10-day break for Kent between Kentucky and Buffalo. Then another 10 days between UB and Ball State. One game in 20 days, allowing Archer to heal. Kent and Archer have no such luxury now with No. 8 LSU this Saturday, on the road.

Archer is not Bo Jackson. He's 5-8 (maybe), and 175 pounds (maybe). There's a reason, even when healthy, why Kent tries to limit Archer's touches to less than 15 per game. 'He's a runner' and that is Archer's one and only asset.

Certainly offensive linemen Pat McShane (knee) and Jason Bitsko (ankle) were good enough to play at 80 percent against Bowling Green. Yet they were limited to 20 snaps or less. Had Archer played he likely would have been held to five or 10.

"But I don't know that (Archer) was 80 percent,'' Haynes said.

McShane and Bitsko rely on strength to command their positions. For Archer to be effective he has to literally be on his toes. Anyone who has ever had a badly twisted or sprained ankle knows, while walking can be pain free, rising on your toes and running can be excruciating.

"Dri is trying to do everything he can to come back,'' Haynes said. "But it's a nagging thing that, when you are a runner, and feel a little bit limited in running, it's a mental thing and a physical thing. But he's going to try to go.

"I hate to keep saying day-to-day, but it is going to be a day-to-day thing for him. As the week goes on, we'll see how it is. Again, he's in that boat, too, when you look at Pat McShane, and you look at your final goals. With knees and ankles, if you keep beating them up and banging them up, you never get right. Now you are killing them for the rest of the season.

"When we come off this road trip we got to be ready to roll and win the MAC, and you want them healthy. So it's a fine line for the next two weeks on how we assess those guys and what we do with those guys.''

Archer's Heisman Trophy hopes - slim to begin with - are certainly gone now. But his NFL hopes hinge on being productive when he is on the field. Specialists are not unheard of on the NFL level, so there can be a place for him. As long as Archer proves he can returns kicks and punts, his NFL dreams can still be met.

He just has to get back on the field as close to 100 percent as possible to show he can still deliver.


Fake an injury? Ohio State defenders say Buckeyes will deal with tough Cal up-tempo offense the real way

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"I've never tried to fake an injury," Ohio State defensive lineman Michael Bennett said. "I've tried to fake not being injured.”

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Do you just fall over like your body turned to jelly? Do you more slowly lower yourself to the ground? What exactly is the best way to fake an injury in college football?

“I feel like in soccer they actually have time to practice faking injuries,” Ohio State defensive lineman Michael Bennett said. “So I don't know. I've never tried to fake an injury. I've tried to fake not being injured.”

Staying on the field in college football is a badge of honor, so the Buckeyes' defensive tackle isn't alone is trying to act healthy. But the up-tempo offense trend in college football has seen some teams take drastic measures to get the defense a break. You've seen the highlights of players who suddenly collapse between plays as a way to stop the action, take a breather or get a substitution. ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit told Al.com before the season that defenses are "actually practicing faking injuries in practice."

Some Buckeyes didn't seem to like jokes about faking injuries.

“There'll be none of that faking stuff,” linebacker Joshua Perry said. “Just go out there and play the game that we play.”

That game continues to change.

Cal vs. Northwestern Jared GoffCal freshman quarterback Jared Goff is leading an offense that is averaging 97 plays per game, more than any team in the country.

Through two games, Ohio State's opponent on Saturday, Cal, has run 194 plays, more than any team in major college football. That's 56 more plays than the Buckeyes have run this season. It's the high end of a growing trend that sees offenses going faster to make defenses get tired. Asked about it Monday, Ohio State co-defensive coordinator Everett Withers was eager to watch former Oregon coach Chip Kelly take it to the NFL in his first game with Philadelphia on Monday night football. The Eagles ran 53 plays in just the first half while jumping out to a big lead, then held on for a 33-27 win over Washington.

Withers said he was interested to see what happened. He didn't say he liked it.

“I bet you those guys who don't like it are all defensive guys,” Withers said. “I think it gets a lot of guys on the field offensively It's good for the offensive game. It's good for recruiting, I'm sure, as far as skill guys.”

As a defensive coach, Withers said it was just another wrinkle to prep for, like the wishbone or the run-and-shoot. Urban Meyer has said many times what he likes most about college football is the variety. And Meyer himself has incorporated an up-tempo aspect to his offense at Ohio State that he didn't have at Florida. Offensive coordinator Tom Herman said during preseason camp that the Buckeyes aren't worried about a number of plays in the name of a frenetic pace, like Cal may be, but that fast can be good if done right.

Cal, which lost to Northwestern and had to rally to beat FCS team Portland State, will do it, one way or another. And the OSU defenders say they won't mind it this weekend or if the game continues to head this way.

“I like it, personally,” OSU cornerback Armani Reeves said. “I like everything to go fast, because I'm a fast person. I'm always moving on the field.

“It's fun for me, and it's fun to watch, too, for the fans. They get to see a lot of action, not just like 30 or 40 plays and running the ball. You see a lot of different things. When you see 100 plays, it's like, 'Oh, man, that's fun, and anything can happen when you run that many plays.' It's fun even if I'm on defense.”

Cal freshman quarterback Jared Goff will trigger the offense. He's averaging 468 passing yards per game, more than 70 yards more per game than anyone else in major college football. First-year Cal coach Sonny Dykes oversaw an offense at Louisiana Tech last season that led the nation in total offense and ranked second in plays per game, running 88.

Cal, averaging 97 plays per game, is ahead of that pace. The Buckeyes will try to keep up – the real way, they say, not the fake way.

“It's a challenge,” Bennett said. “As a defensive player, yeah, you hate it because they just run it and run it and go and go and go. It's really tiring. You don't have time to bring in subs, so you've just got the 11 players on that field for however many plays just flying. And especially with those quick passes it just wears you out. But I think it's good. Because I think it makes those guys out on the field have to be the toughest guys.

“People don't like it because it's hard. But you don't just get to ignore something because it's hard.”


Why is Indians attendance so low? (poll)

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A record low 9,794 fans showed up to Progressive Field last night to watch the Indians beat the Royals. The team is still in the playoff hunt. Why are you not going to games?

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Two weeks ago, the Indians' playoff chances were starting to slip away. They were riding a losing streak during a critical stretch and finished the month of August with five straight losses. But the Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers and Detroit Tigers started to slip, opening the door back up for a late season push.

The Indians have done their part. A sizzling start to the month of September (6-2 record), has them right back in the hunt.

But the fans haven't done theirs.

Empty green seats have been the picture at Progressive Field. Monday night just 9,794 showed up for the 4-3 win over the Kansas City Royals, a win that put the Indians 4.5 games back of the Detroit Tigers in the A.L. Central and just 1.5 games out of the wild card.

Indians beat reporter Paul Hoynes points out the low attendance numbers could have a long-term effect on the club.

Manager Terry Francona doesn't seem fazed by it.

Cleveland hasn't had a championship since 1964. This town is craving a winner. And with 19 games left in the season and a playoff berth still within reach, the Indians provide the best shot.

What can be done to increase attendance tonight and for the rest of the season? We want to know from you Cleveland. Share your thoughts in the comments section below. I will be in there starting at 11 AM to get your feedback.

Gauge your feelings about the Tribe beside other fans' on the Believe-o-Meter.

Cleveland Browns players Josh Gordon, Greg Little plead no contest to traffic charges; streaker case postponed

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Browns players Josh Gordon and Greg Little pleaded no contest to traffic charges and will pay fines of $296 and $472, respectively. Streaker Anthony Saveriano's case was postponed.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Lawyers representing Browns players Greg Little and Josh Gordon pleaded no contest Tuesday to traffic charges in Cleveland Municipal Court. Both men were found guilty.

Gordon pleaded no contest to a speeding charge and agreed to pay a $296 fine, according to court documents. Little will pay a $472 fine after pleading no contest to having expired license plates.

As for streaker Anthony Saverian, who is accused of disrobing and leaping onto the field at First Energy Stadium during the second half of the Browns' 24-6 victory over the Detroit Lions Aug. 15, he will be back in court for another pre-trial hearing at 9 a.m. Sept. 25. He has pleaded not guilty to public exposure charges.

Little appeared in Municipal Court Aug. 27 after missing his initial court date and a warrant was issued for his arrest. The warrant was canceled Aug. 21.

This was not Little's first traffic violation. He admitted to and apologized for driving 127 mph in April and crashing his Audi on State Route 176.

Cleveland Browns' 2013 debut somehow looked even worse a day later -- Bud Shaw's Sports Spin

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With Robert Griffin III behind center for Washington and with Chip Kelly's Philadelphia offense running wild on Monday Night Football, the debut was even a tougher sell in the entertainment department.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Just when you thought it was safe to get over the Browns' opener and settle down on the couch ...

The only consolation in Rob Chudzinski’s debut was that it came the day before the unveiling of Chip Kelly’s offense. Could’ve been worse. Kelly would’ve been a tough act to follow. His warp-speed Eagles are suddenly the definition of fun throughout the NFL after just one game.

In Monday’s matchup with Washington, the Eagles ran a play every 22.4 seconds. They ran four in the game’s first minute. They distorted the clock in ways not done since Salvador Dali.

Eagles players said at the end of the first quarter, they'd packed in so much offense they felt as if it were already halftime.

By the intermission, the Eagles had 26 points, had run 53 plays and picked up 21 first downs. Receiver DeSean Jackson and running back LeSean McCoy each had 100 yards.

So there it was. Two games. One early contrast between cities that went looking for a head coach after disasters in 2012. Kelly laughing it up all game long. Chudzinski grinding as hard as Pat Shurmur or Eric Wedge ever did.

Kelly saying he thinks the Eagles can still play much faster, pushing his guys at the risk of gassing them. Kelly going for it on 4th-and-2 on the first drive of his NFL coaching career.

TRICH-CHUD-WEEDEN-2013-OPENER-JK.JPGView full size"Hey Trent, you're doing a fine job out there. Sure, we're not exactly giving you the ball, but you're a really good decoy keeping the pressure off Brandon on passes. Oh ... that's not the case?"

Chud saying he was hoping to keep Trent Richardson fresh.

Before we go any further, no one is suggesting Joe Banner and Mike Lombardi should’ve delivered Kelly in the head coaching search. That was a two-way street, three if you count Philadelphia, a team coming off a terrible season but one dotted -- if not stocked -- with offensive talent that better fit Kelly’s philosophy.

In fact, Banner and Lombardi look pretty smart today, at least as evaluators of coaching talent. They made Kelly their first target. Next, they had Doug Marrone in their sights. Again, it’s one game. But Buffalo’s near upset of New England certainly doesn’t make them look any less smart for having pursued him.

This isn’t even about whether Kelly, in particular, will take the league by storm. Maybe defenses will figure the Eagles out. Washington had much more success in the second half, after all.

And this certainly isn't about whether Kelly's offense would've looked nearly as dynamic wearing orange and brown and with Brandon Weeden under center.

This is about the dejected people who made another early exit from the stadium Sunday. This is about wondering when the fun is going to come to Cleveland.

“Sometimes I think we take ourselves too seriously,” Kelly told reporters late Monday. “We love to play football. There’s a passion to it. That is the way it should be played.”

Imagine being an Eagles fan today. Or a Washington fan watching Robert Griffin III behind center every snap. The Browns didn’t get Griffin. Kelly chose another suitor.

It’s early. It’s early. It’s early.

But for now, here? Here, you got a drum line.

SPINOFFS

UBALDO-DELIVERS-2013-CC.JPGView full sizeSomebody -- to the shock of pretty much everyone in Northeast Ohio -- is suspiciously looking like an ace for the Indians. 

Ubaldo Jimenez is having a nice season. And obviously a relevant one, with the Indians closing to within 4.5 games of Detroit and 1.5 games of the wild card Monday.

Jimenez struck out 10 Royals hitters in the 4-3 win. As attendance continues to sag, that strikeout to fan ratio (1-974) is believed to be the best in the league in 2013.

So there’s that.

• Repeat, the Indians will win the wild card. Move on.

There’s no punch line.

• A dedicated “Johnny Cam” will follow every move of Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel in Saturday’s big game against Alabama.

So if you already didn’t like him, CBS will make sure you never will.

• The New York Giants were cleared of faking injuries in their Sunday night loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

I guess rolling out that iron lung and portable ER manned by Dr. McDreamy was more convincing than it looked.

• USA Today did a story on the likelihood of making the playoffs despite starting a season 0-1. Since the 16-game season came to be in 1978, 23.7 of the teams that lost the first week made the playoffs.

What followed was a subjective case made for certain teams like Green Bay still making it and only two – Oakland and Jacksonville – as being “in trouble.”

So the best teams can overcome a Week 1 loss while the worst are probably destined to stink. That’s helpful for anyone who thought it might be the other way around.

Dennis Rodman says North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un is a “good guy.”

Rodman no doubt meant to add: “As dictators who amass personal wealth at the expense of their people and who imprison missionaries go”…

• Every night on the evening news the networks air a story that would’ve made Walter Cronkite threaten to quit his job. The latest: Rodman delivering the message that world leaders should give Kim a holler just to talk.

You know, maybe congratulate him for only keeping 200,000 or so North Koreans, including children, imprisoned in camps where some die from prison guard abuse and inadequate food, according to Human Rights Watch.

Just a little something to break the ice.

• Rodman is upset President Obama hasn't called. If you can’t take advice on global politics from somebody nicknamed The Worm, you obviously need to attend a leadership seminar.

• With the Eagles beating Washington in Kelly’s first game and with Andy Reid winning in Kansas City, I’m pretty sure they’d both say they deserve credit for keeping a stiff upper lip over the loss of Joe Banner.

• In the same day the Indians lost to Daisuke Matsuzaka and his eephus fastball, the Browns lost to the kind of West Coast offense jettisoned after last season.

Proof that Only in Cleveland moments sometimes come twice on Sundays.

• After the 23-10 loss to Miami, the Browns' Richardson said, “This is the first time in a long time the team didn’t give up."

Makes you feel even better about that ticket money you spent last year.

• Meanwhile, in Philadelphia, running back LeSean McCoy said, “Today is the first time a lot of the guys in the locker room had fun.”

Cleveland Browns 2013: “Still Not Winning or Having Fun But No Longer Quitting Like Dogs.”

Catchy.

• Did we mention Marc Trestman won his first game, too?

• The NFL won’t make any changes to the amount of preseason games for the next 3-5 years because of complications stemming from leases guaranteeing teams at least 10 home games.

And they will keep the tickets at full price because they can and because they somehow feel no shame.

• Niners’ coach Jim Harbaugh was upset with Clay Matthews Jr.'s out-of-bounds hit on quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Matthews then took a couple swings at San Francisco left tackle Joe Staley.

“I looked at it with my own two eyes and I could see two punches thrown to Joe’s head,” Harbaugh told the San Francisco Chronicle. “Well, one punch and one open slap, which was just a … if you’re going to go to the face, come with some knuckles. Not an open slap.”

Hard to tell if Harbaugh is upset Matthews tried to hurt Kaepernick or didn’t try to hurt Staley more.

Next time, come with the brass knuckles and nunchuks, sissy.

• Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun, suspended for PED use, is now building homes with Habitat for Humanity. Last week, he volunteered to call Brewers season ticket holders to apologize.

If you're a Brewers fan and you need a loan, a babysitter, anything, now's the time to ask.

Ndamukong Suh is facing disciplinary action, perhaps even a $100,000 fine as a repeat offender, for a low hit in the first game of the season.

I don’t want to say Suh doesn't get it, but he probably feels a tremendous measure of pride and accomplishment that he wasn’t fined the entire preseason.

• Dolphins wide receiver Mike Wallace was a non-factor against the Browns. When approached in the locker room Sunday, he told reporters to go talk to the coaches.

Monday he said, “I was mad at myself just because I didn’t have a good game.”

Right.

To complain any earlier in the season, he would’ve had to question why he wasn’t asked to call the coin flip.

He Said It

“I didn’t think it was a (bag). It was just football.” – Eagles coach Chip Kelly when asked if he’d emptied his bag of tricks against Washington Monday night.

Whatever. We all know it’s Pat Shurmur’s bag of tricks anyway.

You Said It

(The Expanded Midweek Edition)

Bud:

Trent Richardson likes to compare himself to Emmitt Smith. I just wish he would perform like Smith on the field and not like Smith on “Dancing with the Stars.” – Ed Stagl, Berea

Richardson got so few touches in the fourth quarter, the better comparison would be me at a high school dance.

Hey Bud:

I have a new word I would like to submit to the Oxford dictionary. Chud n. the sound the ball makes bouncing off a Browns receiver's hands that echoes off the soon-to-be-empty seats in the Factory of Sadness -- Mark A, Bainbridge Township

They're trying to change the culture, not the language.

Hey Bud,

Do you think the Browns will claim Cody Risien and Joe DeLamielleure off waivers? – Bart, Westlake

No. But while it would entail a position change from tackle to guard, I did see Doug Dieken wearing NFL Combine workout gear in the post-game locker room.

Hey Bud,

To "enhance the fan experience" at First Energy Stadium, think the new Browns DJ can come up with a theme song to play each home game when fans bolt for the exits halfway through the fourth quarter? – Nick

Yes. It's been suggested to me that Yakety Sax might be the way to go.

Hey, Bud!

49ers coach Jim Harbaugh had to change from Reebok to Nike at halftime Sunday. Have you ever had to change clothes midway through an assignment because of an endorsement deal? – Keith Jameson, Fairview Park

Are Depends considered clothes?

Bud:

Have you ever given away two T-shirts for a great entry? – Mrs. Corby Mike

I’ll let you know.

Bud:

The offensive line stunk so bad, I thought I was watching a 1990 Carson rerun ... Bud, not Johnny – Josh Echt

On that note, “Hey-o.”

Bud:

In restaurant terms, did the Browns have a “Soft Opening”? – Joe S

First-time “You Said It” winners receive a T-shirt from the Mental Floss collection. Repeat winners get let down hard.

Indians vs. Royals: Get game updates and post your comments

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The Indians go for a seventh straight home win over the Royals when these playoff hopefuls continue a three-game set Tuesday night.

Game 144: Indians (77-66) vs. Royals (75-69)


When: 7:05 p.m.


Where: Progressive Field.


TV/radio: SportsTime Ohio; WTAM AM/1100, WMMS 100.7-FM.


Starters: RHP Jeremy Guthrie (13-10, 4.19) vs. RHP Zach McAllister (7-8, 3.97).


» Live box score | MLB scoreboard


» Get updates from the pressbox here


» You can also follow Tweets about the game and post your thoughts in the comments section.





Carlos Santana dealing with not being regular catcher: Cleveland Indians Insider

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Carlos Santana says playing every day and having the Indians be in contention have helped him deal with not being the Indians' every-day catcher.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Carlos Santana admitted Tuesday afternoon that effectively being replaced as the Indians' starting catcher has been "a little hard for me," but that he takes solace in remaining in the lineup every day for a contending club.

Yan Gomes started at catcher Tuesday night when the Indians faced the Royals for the second of a three-game series at Progressive Field. Santana was the designated hitter and batted cleanup.

Gomes has been the Tribe's starting catcher in nine of the last 12 and for the majority of games since Aug. 1. He has 63 starts at catcher overall. Gomes has supplanted Santana by playing well in all phases. He entered Tuesday hitting .303 with 10 homers and 34 RBI in 228 at-bats and having thrown out 46.9 percent of runners attempting to steal (15-of-32).

Santana has become the regular DH, backup catcher and occasional first baseman for manager Terry Francona. He entered Tuesday hitting .262 with 18 homers and 64 RBI and an on-base percentage of .372.

"This is a little hard for me because catcher is my position,'' he said. "That's how it would be for any player. But the manager put Yan behind the plate and he's done a good job, so we're better hitting and catching, too. I'm confident in the manager about the lineup he puts out every day.

"It's affected me a little bit, but I'm not thinking about it. I'm thinking about winning. We're still fighting, fighting for the wild card. And we're 4 1/2 games back of Detroit in the division (entering Tuesday). I'm trying to help my team.''

Santana said Francona informed him in the middle of the season that Gomes would be getting more and more time behind the plate.

"Everybody knows I have the ability to do more than just catch,'' Santana said. "I can play first base or DH. The most important thing for me is staying in the lineup every day. Right now, it's changed a little bit, because Yan is having a good year. But I want to be a good teammate. I'm playing every day, and we're winning.''

Terrific returns: On Nov. 3, 2012, Indians General Manager Chris Antonetti acquired Gomes and utility man Mike Aviles from Toronto for right-handed reliever Esmil Rogers. The trade has worked well for Cleveland and might end up helping Toronto, as well.

Gomes is a youngster on the rise at a premium position and Aviles entered Tuesday hitting .267 with nine homers and 40 RBI in 315 at-bats. The Blue Jays have converted Rogers, 28, to starter; he is 5-7 with a 4.46 ERA overall but 2-0 with zero runs allowed in 14 innings of two September starts.

Francona wanted Aviles, who played for him in Boston late in the 2011 season. Where Gomes is concerned, Francona credited Tribe scout Dave Malpass and current bullpen coach Kevin Cash for their strong recommendations. Cash was an advance scout for the Blue Jays last year.

Stop sign: Gomes' quick release and strong, accurate arm have made it difficult for runners attempting to steal. Some have decided it isn't worth the risk.

"I don't know how to rank (his throwing ability),'' Francona said, "but he's good and he's getting better. He's started to catch more, and the hope is just what's happened: He's gotten better.''

Francona said bench coach Sandy Alomar Jr. timed a Gomes throw to second Monday night in 1.77 seconds.

"Anything under 2.00 is pretty quick,'' Francona said.

One man short: Right-handed reliever Carlos Carrasco left the team to tend to a family matter, Francona said. Carrasco is expected to return for the White Sox series in Chicago later this week.

Francona said Carrasco is gaining his trust as an option in the later innings.

Decisions, decisions: Given organizations' increased emphasis on working counts, hitters need to be judicious about swinging at the first good pitch they see. Even hard-hit balls can result in outs. Going 0-for-4 is bad; going 0-for-4 on seven pitches is worse.

Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis, one of the Indians' best hitters this season, understands the value of working counts and, as a byproduct, drawing walks. But he also realizes he is paid to get hits. Kipnis entered Tuesday night with 139 hits, 69 walks and a .280 average and .365 on-base percentage in 131 games.

"Whether you take pitches depends on the pitcher, the game situation, a lot of things,'' he said. "The best way to handle it, I think, is to have is an idea of what you want to do when you get into the box. If the approach is, 'Hey, I'm going to ambush this guy and get on the first pitch he throws over the plate' -- so be it. If the approach is that you're going to work the count – so be it. Just make sure to commit to something and stand by it.''

Among the benefits of working counts: pitch totals increase, which can be especially important against a good starter; hitter and teammates see more types of pitches; hitter and teammates have better idea of what pitcher's stuff and sequence look like deeper in counts.

Whether to see more pitches can become a really tough call during slumps. The batter doesn't want to make a quick out, but he doesn't want to miss a fat pitch, either. All the while, the batter is wrestling with swing thoughts.

"Sometimes you dig your own hole,'' Kipnis said. "When you're in a slump, you're so fixated on your swing – I've got to be short to the ball, I've got to stay through to the other side, those types of things -- that you almost forget to make sure you're swinging at the right pitches or recognizing the pitch. You're so concerned with what your swing looks like, and if it's correct or not. That's how slumps compound themselves.

"You want to make sure you're simplifying things. We like to say, 'Set it and forget it.' Get the swing where you need to be, then forget it and focus on the pitches. If you're thinking in your head while you're at the plate, you're already pretty much out.''



Ohio State's Corey 'Philly' Brown has settled into his role as a receiver and a Buckeye

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Brown had two touchdown catches Saturday, and Urban Meyer likes where he is as a receiver and a leader. Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio – There's something to be said for a player who can not only take some good-natured shots from Urban Meyer, but give it back a little as well.

That's Philly Brown. He doesn't really like being called that, preferring his given name Corey, but he hasn't been able to escape it. Since there's another Corey Brown on the team, former coach Jim Tressel nicknamed them by their home cities, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and the senior receiver has never been able to shake the label.

He may not be comfortable with his name. He is comfortable in his position on the field now, a full wide receiver after playing running back in high school and serving as a hybrid H-back in the offense last season.

“First of all, he was a very poor running back, and you can tell him I said that,” Urban Meyer said Monday when asked about Brown.

Brown responded in a way that showed he's also comfortable with his position on the team, one of eight captains and a senior who has always seemed able to put football in some sort of perspective.

“I like to have fun,” Brown said Monday. “At the same time, football is an everyday job, and I understand that comes first. But you have to have a life outside of football to keep you level-headed. So I like to play video games in my free time and have fun with my friends.”

And Meyer isn't afraid to have fun with him.

Brown's inability to break tackles and gain extra yards last season was something the coaches often discussed, with him or anyone else. Yet Brown led the Buckeyes with 60 catches, double the number of any other Buckeye.

The lack of tackle-breaking has come up again in the first two weeks of this season, hence Meyer's opinion on Brown's days running the ball in high school. Yet Brown had six catches for 73 yards against San Diego State, including two touchdowns.

So the coach can joke about Brown's high school days. When it gets down to it, Meyer is much more concerned with what Brown has done as a Buckeye the last two years.

“Philly has done a great job,” Meyer said, invoking the nickname. “His evolution as a leader and performer in the weight room, the way he's taking care of himself, the way he's mentoring young people, he's falling into that category of guys that have made a 180 and the way he handles his business academically, I'm a big Philly Brown guy right now. And I was not at all. I say that, and I say that in good faith that I really appreciate what he's done.”

Meyer now thinks Brown has a chance to make the NFL as a receiver, something he never would have believed a year ago.

“So I really like what he's done,” Meyer said. "It's more what he's done with his work ethic and who he is. I'm very proud of him and I'm sure his family, they can see the difference, as well.”

Sometimes you can see the difference on Brown's face during an interview session. He often can't suppress a sly smile that seems to indicate that he finds the whole situation around him, reporters hanging on his words, a little surreal. He admits to having a larger view on the world. And he would admit he knows now where he fits with this football team.

“With a team that has such high expectations, when we do have time to be ourselves," Brown said, "we do take advantage of it."




Cleveland Cavaliers center Tyler Zeller makes big gains, with some help from Krispy Kreme

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Tyler Zeller, who has gained more than 20 pounds since last season, has spent his summer getting stronger and working on his game. He and his family will host their DistinXion Basketball Camp at The Q on Sept. 21.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The difference between Cavaliers center Tyler Zeller and most of the rest of us is that he actually wanted to gain 20 pounds on vacation.

How else to explain the 10 Krispy Kreme donuts in one sitting?

Really. Ten.

"They're so good,'' he said, unabashedly. "If you get them hot….''

Yeah, yeah. We know.

"I ate about six in probably 10 minutes, maybe less,'' he said.

This was not his diet all summer. But after a bout of flu near the end of last season caused the 7-footer to lose about eight pounds and left his weight at 238, he spent the first three weeks of his vacation eating anything he wanted.

In spite of his high metabolism, when he returned to Cleveland in late June, he was up 20 pounds, about eight pounds more than the 250 he played at most of his rookie season.

"I'm not going to say I was fat, but I felt very out of shape,'' Zeller said. "I had to transfer that into 'good' weight and muscle. Now I'm between 255-260, and I'm pretty happy with that, although I'm trying to gain more.''

That was the focus of the off-season for Zeller, who was pressed into service as the starting center when Anderson Varejao went down for the season with a quad injury and later a blood clot. Still learning the NBA game, Zeller was pushed around and beaten up by bigger, more experienced centers.

This season, with the return of Varejao and the addition of a -- hopefully -- healthy Andrew Bynum, Zeller likely will be used as a backup, but he wanted to be ready. He did spend some time at his alma mater of North Carolina and vacationed at Hilton Head, S.C. and Wilmington, N.C. But most of the summer he was working on his game, from North Carolina to Cleveland to Las Vegas, where he took part in the summer league followed by the USA Basketball mini-camp. He has been back in Cleveland about two weeks, getting ready for training camp, which opens on Oct. 1.

Before that, he and his family will host the second annual DistinXion Basketball Camp at The Q on September 21. This is the fourth summer the Zellers have offered the camp, which has grown from one venue to 17. It will address things like shooting and footwork, but it's a little different than your standard basketball camp.

"We're a basketball camp, but we do character and leadership development,'' Zeller explained.

So in addition to stations for free throws and defense, there also is a station for character, where Zeller's parents talk to the children about becoming CHAMPIONS. The acronym stands for Character, Honesty, Attitude, Motivation, Perseverance, I Am Responsible, Optimism, Network of Friends and Serve Others. The talks might deal with everything from making your bed every day to not cheating.

Zeller has worked three camps this summer.

"We try to always have a Zeller there,'' he said, referring to himself and his older and younger brothers, Luke and Cody, both NBA players. "They're always fun to work.

"We know parents tell them these things a million times, but for some reason people listen when we tell them. Really, we're just trying to help the parents. We know we'd be lucky to have one or two kids from our camps make the NBA, so we want to give them something they can use in every day life instead of just giving them basketball.''

The reaction, Zeller said, has been uniformly positive, from the campers and their parents.

"We are very proud of the people who work with us,'' Zeller said. "They're very polite and respectful.''

The camp is open to students entering grades 2 through 8 and costs $60. For more information or to register, visit cavs.com.

Doughnuts are not included.


Cleveland Indians lose to Kansas City Royals, 6-3

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The Indians (77-67) lost for the second time in three games, which amounts to a slump for a pursuer at this point in the season.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Indians, chasing a playoff spot in the final weeks of the season, can ill-afford to have a starting pitcher teetering. But such is the status of right-hander Zach McAllister.

McAllister gave up four-plus runs for the third consecutive start as the Tribe fell to the Royals, 6-3, Tuesday night at steamy Progressive Field. First-pitch temperature: 94 degrees.

The Indians (77-67) lost for the second time in three games, which constitutes a slump for a pursuer at this point in the season. They entered the night 1.5 games off the pace for the second wild card and 4.5 behind Detroit in the AL Central. They remain 1.5 back in the wild card but are 5.5 behind in the division.

The Royals (76-69) pulled within three of the second wild card. They snapped a four-game losing streak against the Indians and improved to 6-9 in the season series. The clubs wrap their three-game series Wednesday at 12:05 p.m.

If there is such a thing as an invisible postseason bid, it is happening in Cleveland. Paid attendance of 12,615 occurred one night after the figure was 9,794. Thanks largely to the home nine having been on its way to defeat, the atmosphere periodically resembled that of a library. Fans held baseline-to-baseline conversations. All that was missing were chants for Julio Franco, better known as "Whooooo-leee-oooooo!''

The Tribe failed to capitalize on one of Lonnie Chisenhall's best performances this season. Chisenhall doubled in the second, singled in the fifth and singled in the seventh before leaving for a pinch-runner. The Tribe finished with 12 hits.

Former Indian Jeremy Guthrie (14-10, 4.11 ERA) allowed nine hits but just one run in six innings. He walked none and struck out two. The Indians grounded into three double plays against him.

Royals-Indians boxscore | Scoreboard | Standings

"We got some hits but didn't bunch them together,'' Tribe manager Terry Francona said. "It seemed like we were one big hit from doing some damage. We gave ourselves chances in a lot of innings.''

McAllister (7-9, 4.11) gave up four runs on six hits in five innings. He walked three and struck out two. He exited after the fourth consecutive Royal reached to open the sixth.

"He didn't have his best changeup,'' Francona said. "And he left some balls up in that last inning.''

McAllister is 0-2 with an 8.78 ERA in his last three starts. On Aug. 30 at Detroit, he allowed five runs in 3 2/3 innings at Detroit. On Sept. 4 against Baltimore, he gave up four in 4 2/3.

The skid came without warning, In the three starts before it, McAllister went 3-0 with four earned runs allowed in 19 2/3 innings.

The Indians took a 1-0 lead in the first with three two-out hits. Jason Kipnis worked an 0-2 count to 2-2 before singling to right. Carlos Santana ripped a 3-1 pitch to right, Kipnis stopping at second. Michael Brantley sent a 1-0 pitch up the middle to drive in Kipnis. Asdrubal Cabrera lined to center.

Brantley entered the night hitting .350 with runners in scoring position (35-for-100). The RBI was Brantley's 60th, matching his career-best set last season in 552 at-bats. He had 487 at-bats at the time of the single.

Guthrie dealt with Brantley in a big spot again in the third. This time, Guthrie prevailed. Nick Swisher led off with a single. After Kipnis struck out, Swisher moved to third on Santana's single. Brantley grounded into a 4-6-3 double play.

When Guthrie faces Swisher, it is a matchup of 2002 first-round picks. Swisher went 16th to Oakland; Guthrie, 22nd to Cleveland.

The Royals tied the score, 1-1, in the fifth. Light-hitting Alcides Escobar dented a fastball, sending it an estimated 417 feet to left. Escobar's homer was his fourth of the season, his first since April 28 against Cleveland.

Despite what the scoreboard said, McAllister did not seem comfortable. As was the case in the previous two starts, he kept missing high and to the arm side with the fastball. Escobar's homer served as a portent that a price would be paid for suspect location.

Eric Hosmer led off the sixth with a walk. Billy Butler ripped a double to left off a fastball that McAllister attempted to get inside but that stayed over the plate. Mike Moustakas hit a two-run double to right off a fastball. Moustakas snapped an 0-for-16 slide and had been batting .155 with runners in scoring position for the season.

After Salvador Perez delivered an RBI single to center, Francona signaled for lefty Nick Hagadone.

"I fell behind and walked a guy, then I gave up a few hits,'' McAllister said. "I felt the same.''

Kansas City made it 5-1 in the seventh against Hagadone and C.C. Lee. The Indians answered with two in their half and appeared poised for more. Yan Gomes led off with a single against Kelvin Herrera. With one out, Chisenhall singled and Jose Ramirez pinch-ran. The speed paid off when Michael Bourn doubled to left past diving Alex Gordon, Gomes and Ramirez scoring.

Cleveland's uprising lost steam when Kansas City righty Luke Hochevar replaced Herrera and struck out Swisher looking and Kipnis swinging. Hochevar struck out the side in the eighth.

The Royals accounted for the final margin with a run in the eighth off Lee.

Notable: Kansas City right fielder and Akron native David Lough was 1-for-4 with a triple and run. He is 10-for-28 at Progressive Field this season. ... Indians reliever Blake Wood, a former Royal, got the final out of the ninth after giving up a hit and walk. His fastball touched 100 mph. It was the second major-league appearance this season for Wood, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery.

High school golf, soccer, tennis and volleyball box scores and highlights for Tuesday, September 10, 2013

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CLEVELAND, Ohio — Here are box scores and highlights in boys and girls golf, boys and girls soccer, girls tennis and volleyball from Tuesday, September 10, 2013. BOYS GOLF

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Here are box scores and highlights in boys and girls golf, boys and girls soccer, girls tennis and volleyball from Tuesday, September 10, 2013.

BOYS GOLF

Aurora 157, Kenston 173

At Barrington

1. Sloe (A) 38; 2. O'Callaghan (A) 39.

Notable: Aurora finished Chagrin Valley Conference play 7-0. 

Beachwood 163, West Geauga 166

At Fowler's Mill

1. Dubin (B) 36; 2. Forrai (WG) 39; T3. Escott (B) 41, Kirchner (WR) 41.

‪Brecksville 170, Amherst 186

At Sleepy Hollow

1. Craig (B) 40; 2. Campana (A) 41; T3. Krcmar (B) 43; T3. Habecker (A) 43; T3. Henyey (B) 43.

Brush 178, Normandy 184

At Ridgewood

1. Shlonsky (B) 41; T2. Cody (B) 44; T2. Dylan (B) 44; T2. O'Donnell (N) 44.

Gilmour 156, Kirtland 166

At St. Denis (Par 36)

1. Schnur (K) 35; 2. Althans (G) 37; 3. Hollis (G) 38.

Medina 147, North Royalton 151

At Hinckley Hills

T1. DeLaat (M) 35; T1. Carile (NR) 35; 3. Schollaert (M) 36.

Midview 150, North Ridgeville 152, Lakewood 161

At Brentwood (Par 35)

1. (tie) Orseno (NR) and Zbin (L) 34; 2. Miller (M) 36; 3. (tie) Large (M), Quarm (M) and Matcham (M) 38.

Notable: West Shore Conference records—North Ridgeville 6-5, Midview 6-5, Lakewood 4-6. Midview is 7-5 overall.

Olmsted Falls 163, Berea-Midpark 169

At Emerald Woods

1. Torres (OF) 39;  T2. Jones (OF) 41; T2. Eyssen (OF) 41; T2. Roth (B) 41

Padua 157, Lake Catholic 167

At Weymouth

1. Schley (P) 36; 2. Szpak (P) 39; T3. Jones (P) 40; T3. Propok (L) 40.

Perry 175, Orange 179

At Madison

1. Willen (O) 40; 2. Jackisch (P) 43; T3. Bagdonas (P) 44; T3. Kifer (P) 44; T3. Ward (P) 44; T3. Yasinow (O) 44; T3. Kemelhar (O) 44; T3. Lebowitz (O) 44.

Rocky River 168, Vermilion 185

At Big Met

1. Farling (RR) 39; 2. Tucci (RR) 42.

Solon 165, Mayfield 179

At Manakiki (Par 36)

1. Razante (S) 39; 2. (tie) Lavelle (M) and Breetz (S) 40.

Twinsburg 155, Elyria 166

At Forest Hills (Par 35)

1. McAdoo (T) 36; 2. Heath (T) 38; 3. (tie) Csizmadia (E) and Orris (T) 40.

Valley Forge 165, Shaker Heights 167

At Ridgewood

1. Koch (SH) 39; 2. Klinc (VF) 40; 3. Adams (VF) 41.

Late:

Cuyahoga Heights 175, Cardinal 210

At Grandview

1. Orr (CH) 38; 2. Drockton (CH) 42; T3. Kotonski (CH) 47; T3. Knippenberg (C) 47.

REECE ALEXANDER INVITATIONAL

At Hawthorne Valley

How they finished: 1. Walsh Jesuit 307; 2. St. Ignatius 319; 3. St. Edward 321; 4. Brunswick 330; 5. Chagrin Falls 336; 6. Hudson 337; 7. (tie) Lake Catholic and Padua 340; 9. Hoban 341; 10. University School 342.

Top individuals: 1. Liberatore, WJ, 72; 2. (tie) Duncan (SI) and J.Krecic (SE) 74; 4. Johnson (WJ) 75; 5. (tie) Supelak (WJ), Widman (CF) and Zahn (SE) 78; 8. (tie) Kubik (Hud), Meola (LC) and Szpak (Pad) 79.

GIRLS GOLF

Avon 172, Bay 205

At Sweetbriar

T1. Schatschneider (A) 41; T1. Strack (A) 41; T3. Reilly (B) 44; T3. Warnkin (A) 44.

Perry 214, Edgewood 250

At Powderhorn

1. A. Miller (P) 45; 2. Brown (P) 54; 3. Burns (E) 55; 4. L. Miller (P) 56.

St. Vincent-St. Mary 173, Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy 217

At Mud Run (Par 34)

Schlosser (SVSM) 37; 2. Noethen (SVSM) 40; 3. Chisholm (SVSM) 47.

Notable: St. Vincent is now 13-1 on the season.

NEOGGCA TOURNAMENT

At Powderhorn

How they finished: 1. Geneva 368; 2. Madison 408; 3. Perry 427; 4. Lakeside 462; 5. Conneaut 501; 6. Edgewood 505.

Top individuals: 1. Nicholson (G) 77; T2. DiPofi (G) 89; T2. Beris (M) 89; 4. A. Miller (P) 91; 5. Leach (M) 97; 6. Kern (G) 99; T7. Skufca (G) 103; T7. Hess (M) 103; 9. Stranman (L) 110; 10. L. MIller (P) 111; T10. Duke (P) 111.

Late:

Copley 174, Revere 188

At Loyal Oak

1. Jones (C) 41; 2. Blachaniec (C) 42; T3. Leventhan (R) 43; T3. Adkins (C) 43.

BOYS SOCCER

Aurora 3, Chagrin Falls 1

A (5-1): Browsky, Wendell, Perez. CF (1-3-2): Mazzolla

Goalies: A, Pavlick (2 saves); CF, Rizzo (3).

Beachwood 7, Newbury 0

B (4-2-1, 2-0-1): Roth 3, Yulish 2, Sperling, Caputo. N (0-4-1, 0-3): None.

Goalies: B, Goldhamer (0 saves); N, Kolenic (12).

Notable: Five of Beachwood's goal came from freshmen.

Copley 4, Green 2

C (4-3-1, 3-0-0): Brennan 2, Schulte, Deagan.

Goalies: C, Bentlage.

Crestwood 2, Springfield 0

C (3-2-1): Ortega, Usher. S (0-5): None.

Goalies: C, Slechta (7 saves); S, Stevenson (17).

Eastlake North 5, Riverside 2

EN: M. Turkalj 2, Rohm, J. Turkalj, Hadzic.

Goalies: EN, Vidovic, Grady.

Notable: Mate Torkalj had 2 goals and 3 assists for Eastlake NOrth.

Hudson 2, Twinsburg 1

H (4-3-1, 1-0-0): Wallace, Kern. T: N/A.

Goalies: H, Sockol (5 saves).

Kirtland 6, Cardinal 3

K (5-1-1): Ianiro 3, Keck, Skrbis, Hauptman. C (3-3): Wicks, Canterbury, Mast.

Goalies: K, Delciappo (4 saves), Carn (1); C, Butcher (10 saves).

Lake Catholic 2, Erie Cathedral Prep 1

LC: Kane (2). ECP: Martin.

Goalies: LC, McIntosh (4 saves).

Mayfield 3, Brunswick 2

M(4-1, 1-0): Josell, Bruno, Umeda. B (4-1-2, 0-1): Marinaro, Hots.

Goalies: M, Tighe (7 saves); B, Leindecker (8).

Medina 0, Mentor 0

Goalies: Men, Markiewicz (1 save); Med, McNeil (2).

Notable: The game featured just three shots, two of which were by Mentor.

North 9, Ellet 1

N (5-2-0, 1-0-0): H. Tamang 2, P. Tamang 2, R. Rai, Le, Chewan 2, Poudel. E (2-6-0, 0-1-0): Burkhart.

Goalies: N, Pokhrel (2 saves); E, Baker (11).

Tallmadge 3, Highland 2

T (2-2-1, 1-2-0): Helderman 3. H (3-3-0, 1-2-0): Davis, Zelinski.

Goalies: T, Roy (2 saves); H, Seaman (8).

Notable: Tyler Helderman scored three goals including the go-ahead goal for Tallmadge.

University School 10, Chardon 0

US (4-0-3, 3-0-0): R. Bell 3, Bulucea 2, J. Bell, Dyke, Mehalko, Weisbein, Adams. C (1-4-1, 0-3-0): None.

Goalies: US, Wilhelm (2 saves), Mino (2); C, McKnight (5).

Villa Angela-St. Joseph 4, Trinity 2

VASJ (5-1): F. Porter 2, Cervenik, C. Porter.

Valley Forge 4, Parma 1

VG (3-4): Lutsyshyn 3. P (1-6): Hamilton.

Goalies: VF, Hanna (5 saves); P, Mabin (10 saves).

GIRLS SOCCER

Crestwood 0, Firestone 0

C (4-1-2): none; F (1-4-2): none.

Goalies: (C) Nero (4 saves); (F) Cooke (4).

Gilmour 3, Independence 2

G (4-2-1): Harrington 2, Davis. I (2-3): Wisniewski 2.

Goalies: G, Porter (4 saves); I, Spilker (18).

Hathaway Brown 3, Laurel 2

HB (2-2-2): Vajskop 3. L (5-1-1): Riddle 2.

Goalies: HB, O'Brien (5 saves); L, Speele (9).

Kirtland 2, Orange 0

K: Donohue, Zschuppe.

Goalies: (K) Zuberer (14 saves); (O) N/A (12).

Notable: Matea Cubela and Ashleigh Kmentt had assists for the Hornets.

Late:

Brunswick 2, Wadsworth 2

B: Malleo, Gamble. W (5-0-1, 2-0-0): Berger, Runkle.

Goalies: B, Calhoun (5 saves); W, Centea (7).

Cuyahoga Heights 6, Columbia 0

CH: Goetz 7, T. McNeilly 2, Spence. C: None.

Goalies: CH, Florio (2 saves); C, Paine (22).

Holy Name 1, North Royalton 0

HN: Keller. NR (4-3-0, 1-0-0): None.

Goalies: HN, Yanak (5 saves); NR, Zeilmann (7), Humayun (5).

Kent Roosevelt 1, Aurora 0

KR (2-4): Mohnacky. A (5-2-1): None.

Goalies: KR, Grimm (10 saves); A, Doyle (1).

Nordonia 7, Cuyahoga Falls 0

N: Lanese 2, Rudder 2, Fenn, Karalic, Mislosky. CF: None.

Revere 4, Brecksville 0

R (4-1-1, 1-0-0): Harding 2, Gallo, Garcia. B (2-4): None.

Goalies: R, Franks (9 saves), Edwards (1).

GIRLS TENNIS

Archbishop Hoban 3, St. Thomas Aquinas 2

Singles: Sterling (STA) d. Waddell 6-1, 6-1; Bell (AH) d. Flynn 6-1, 6-1; Sensius (AH) won by default.

Doubles: Palutsis/Sicard (STA) d. May/Felden 6-2, 6-0; Thomas/Burkholder (AH) d. Smith/Russ 6-1, 6-0.

Aurora 3, Hawken (B) 2

Singles: Miotke (A) d. Doody 8-0;  Nelson (A) d. Liu 6-7 (retired); Vogelbaum (H) d. Kothakota 8-5.

Doubles: Washington/Mansoor (H) d. Caito/Gill 8-6; Abbass/Kokinchak (A) d. Greig/McBride 8-0.

Beaumont 5, Gilmour (B) 0

Singles: Barone d. Levy 6-0, 6-1; Connelly d. Zvagno 6-1, 6-0; Leone d. Sharp 6-1, 6-0.

Doubles: Knezevic/Cira d.Benencivenni/Moufawad 6-1, 6-0; Boes/Mawby d. Pilla/Puglia 6-1, 6-2.

Elyria Catholic 3, North Ridgeville 2

Singles: Carroccio (EC) d. Mihalski 6-3, 6-0; Wishner (NR) d. Kozma 6-2, 6-2; McCloskey (NR) d. Buchs 3-6, 6-0, 7-5

Doubles: Stevens/Opalenik (EC) d. Yun/Slone 6-1, 6-0; Morgan/Lopez (EC) d. O'Neal/Heck 6-1, 6-2.

Fairview 3, Lake Catholic 2

Singles: Radigan (L) d. Fratzke 6-4, 6-0; Popa (F) d. Fox 6-4, 6-2; Steigerwald (L) d. Vandra 6-1, 6-1.

Doubles: Aguirre/Palmer-Tesema (F) d. Matteo/Pfriem 7-6(3), 6-1; Filkill/ Ford (F) d. Morgan/Jersekd 6-1, 6-2.

Field 5, Ravenna 0

Singles: Hellwig d. Amith 6-2, 6-0; La. Douvikas d. Knapp 6-3, 6-0; Smith d. Miley 6-0, 6-3.

Doubles: Robinson/Spercher d. Smith/Wise 6-4, 2-6, 6-1; Ly. Douvikas/Robinson d. Lattimer/Titus 6-4, 7-5

Gilmour 4, Magnificat B 1

Singles: Oates (G) d. Luffred 6-0, 6-0; Robenalt (M) d. Jacobs 6-2, 6-2; Hawkens (G) d. Swartz 7-6 (7-5), 6-1.

Doubles: Doe/Ertz (G) d. Minotti/Miley 6-3, 7-6 (7-4); Fehn/Lawrence (G) d. Nock/Thompson 6-3, 6-3.

Hathaway Brown 3, Hawken 2

‪Singles: Iranpour (HB) d. Green 6-1, 6-0; Arkelett (HB) d. A.Levin 6-1, 6-0; Persky (HB) d. E.Ross 6-1, 6-0.

Doubles: Rankin/Revishanicar (H) d. Adler/Callanan 6-4, 6-1; Goren/Kerman (H) d. Schroedel/Marquliez 6-3, 7-5.

Mayfield 5, St. Joseph’s Academy 0

Singles: Vizelman d. Waltas 6-0, 6-0; Caine d. Kahl 6-2, 6-4; Mulvihill d. Fitzgerald 6-1, 6-1.

Doubles: Schmitt/Milenius d. Ruebensaal/Rouse 6-3, 6-1; Rotenburg/Hsu d. Saracina/Powers 6-3, 6-2.

Medina 4, Brecksville 1

Singles: Deimling (M) d. Wang 6-1, 6-0; Ott (M) d. Motta 6-4, 6-0; Speckman (M) d. Farid 6-2, 6-4.

Doubles: Arnold/Major (M) d. Waiwood/Kandanorchi 7-5, 7-6(4); Desantis/Worgo (B) d. Greene/Liebler 4-6, 6-4, (8-10)

]Mentor 3, Beachwood 2

Singles: Weaver (M) d. Jiao 6-0, 6-2; Gliebi (M) d. Kuang 6-1, 5-7, 6-3; Seigel (M) d. Yen 6-0, 6-0.

Doubles: Tall/Finkenthal (B) d. Radel/Gorjup 6-2, 6-2 ; Tall/Stern (B) d. Robertson/Stanich 7-6, 6-2.

Norton 3, Crestwood 2

Singles: Schmitt (N) d. Jenkins 6-4, 6-1; Tayerle (C) d. A. Kitchens 6-1, 7-5; Magyaries (C) d. Kraus 7-6, 6-2.

Doubles: H. Kitchens/ Miller (N) d. Sherry/Scala 6-2, 6-4; Thomas/Whitaker (N) d. Pochodly/Onders 6-2, 6-4.

Orange 4, Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin 1

Singles: Young (O) d. Kus 6-2, 6-0; Nakamoto (O) d. Lah 6-0, 6-0; Kashyap (O) d. 6-1, 6-3.

Doubles: Didovic/Shimooka (NDCL) d. Stankovic/Tokman 1-6, 6-4, 6-4; Krishnan/Roth (O) d. D'Angelo/Miller 7-6, 6-4.

Our Lady of the Elms 5, St. Vincent-St. Mary 0

Singles: Kuzmishin d. Reese 6-0, 6-2; Axtell d. Cunningham 6-0, 6-0; Muzilla d. Beskitt 6-0, 6-0.

Doubles: Figliola/Ahmed d. Walsh/Combs 6-2, 6-0; O’Flynn/Gupta d. Pagni/Pixie 6-3, 7-5.

Notable: Our Lady of the Elms is now 10-2.

Rocky River 4, Avon 1

Singles: Quinones (RR) d. Mentler (A) 1-6, 6-2, 6-0; Nakon (A) d. Blossey 6-1, 6-1; Vergon (RR) d. Schmitz 1-6, 6-3, 3-2 (retired).

Doubles: Riegersberger/Grierson (RR) d. DeLuca/Monroe 1-6, 6-2, 6-4; Copa/Bowen (RR) d. Roberts/Hejnal 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.

Solon 3, Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy  2 

Singles: Kandakai (S) d. Dittrich 6-1, 6-2; Bandi (S) d Pile 6-4, 6-4; Haskell (CVCA) d.  Moore 6-0, 6-0

Doubles: Baird/Lander (S) d. Kalra/Petrinec 6-2,6-0; Andrew/Bolinger (CVCA) d. Grubish/Smith 6-4, 0-6, 6-3.

Wickliffe 4, North 1

Singles: Popik (W) d. Diver 6-2, 6-1; Wolf (W) d. Ponsart 6-2, 6-2; Hunt (N) d. Hamm 6-2, retire

Doubles: Tokar/Bromelmeier (W) d. Patrick/Reed 6-1, 6-1;  Paulmbo/Freed (W) d. by ff

Late:

Aurora 5, Wickliffe 0

Singles: Miotke  d. Szinte 6-0, 6-0;  Nelson d. Popik 6-0, 6-0;  Kothakota d. Wolf 6-1, 6-0.

Doubles: Gill/Abbass  d. Freed/Nelson 3-6, 6-3, 6-2; Kokinchak/Lucas d. Bromelmeir/Hamm 6-0, 6-2.

VOLLEYBALL

Amherst d. Olmsted Falls 25-5, 25-22, 25-22.

Avon d. Vermilion 25-21, 25-21, 25-14.

Bay d. North Ridgeville 25-19, 25-22, 25-21.

Beaumont d. Notre Dame Cathedral Latin 25-18, 25-23, 28-26.

Notable: Stephanie Williams had 18 kills, 10 digs, 4 aces and 4 blocks for NDCL (2-2, 0-2).

Brookside d. Black River 18-25, 25-16, 25-12, 25-23

Notable: For Black River, Danielle Jenkins had 14 kills, 6 blocks, 6 points and 1 ace.

Buckeye d. Wellington 25-9, 25-11, 25-16.

Cardinal d. Berkshire 25-12, 25-22, 25-13.

Notable: Kaitlin Bean was 23-for-23 serving with 4 aces, 14 points, 7 kills and 5 digs for Cardinal (7-5, 2-0)

Chagrin Falls d. Aurora 25-20, 25-15, 19-25, 25-14.

Notable: Karly Mitch had 33 digs and Sydney Sellers had 7 solo blocks for Aurora.

Chardon d. Eastlake North 26-24, 25-27, 25-22, 25-14

Clearview d. Brooklyn 25-20, 16-25, 25-13, 25-14.

Notable: For Clearview, Heather Younkin had 19 kills and 14 blocks with 4 solo block kills. Sarah Ernst added 28 assists, 22 service points, 5 aces and 11 digs. Clearview is 5-0 overall and 5-0 in the PAC.

Cloverleaf d. Green, 27-25, 25-17, 25-17

Notable: For Cloverleaf, Kendal Wilde had nine kills and Jessie Lindemeyer had 13 digs.

Columbia d. Oberlin 25-5, 25-11, 25-5.

Cuyahoga Heights d. Beachwood, 25-12, 25-8, 25-15.

Elyria Catholic d. Rocky River 25-13, 25-21, 17-25, 25-22

Notable: For EC, Shannon Reaser had 17 points and 5 aces while Jessie Lee had 22 kills. The Panthers are 8-1 overall, 5-0 in the WSC. For Rocky River, Kare Coffman had 12 kills and 12 digs.

Holy Name d. St. Vincent-St. Mary 25-20, 25-10, 25-12

Notable: Taylor Verba had 28 assists for Holy Name.

Hudson d. Cuyahoga Falls 25-16, 25-17, 25-8.

Notable: Jordan Mackay had 18 service points and Alyssa Gisandis had 24 assists for Hudson (7-2).

Independence d. Richmond Heights 25-12, 25-12, 25-9.

Notable: Abbi Tarski 8 kills Megan Screptock 7 kills Meredith Collins 7 kills 15 assists Hallie Zu

Kenston d. West Geauga 25-20, 25-20, 25-17.

Lake Catholic d. Archbishop Hoban 25-16 25-9 25-20

Lake Ridge Academy d. Christian Community 21-25, 25-12, 25-18, 25-14.

Notable: Cassidy Kolczun had 23 assists and Hannah Guidish added 17 kills and 5 blocks for Lake Ridge.

Lorain d. Warrensville Heights 25-13, 25-10, 25-8

Notable: Devin Bray was 22-for-22 in serving with 8 aces and also had 3 blocks as Lorain upped its record to 5-3 overall, 4-1 in the LEL. Serena Rodriguez added 20 assists for Lorain and Destiny Wilson had 8 kills.

Lutheran West d. Fairview 25-14, 25-13, 25-23.

Maple Heights d. Bedford 25-8, 25-10, 25-16.

Mentor d. Twinsburg 25-23, 25-22, 25-15.

Notable: Miranda Trubiano and Jess Luptak each had 14 digs for Mentor (6-1).

Normandy d. Brush 25-16, 25-18, 25-4

Notable: Normandy had 14 service aces.

North Olmsted d. Westlake 25-12, 25-17, 25-21.

Padua d. Walsh Jesuit 25-21, 25-11, 25-17.

Notable: Emily Marcinowski had 9 kills and 17 digs for Padua (7-0) and Gina Kilner added 32 assists.

Perry d. Orange 26-28, 20-25, 25-22, 25-13, 15-11

Notable: Bethany Mako had 21 kills and 2 blocks and went 16-of-17 in serving as Perry upped its record to 3-2. Brittany Levkulich added 43 digs, 17 kills and 4 aces for the Pirates and Gabby Sutyak was 40-of-40 in passing and had 36 digs.

Revere d. Copley 25-20, 25-20, 25-16.

Notable: Katie Briant had 28 digs for Revere (10-0, 5-0).

Riverside d. Geneva 25-21, 26-24, 17-25, 25-21

Notable: Katelyn Selleny had 29 assists, 12 digs, 2 blocks and 1 ace as Riverside remained unbeaten in PAC play at 5-0. Melissa Maczuzak added 18 digs, 12 kills, 2 blocks and 1 ace and Rachel Stroski had 11 kills, 9 digs and 3 aces for the Beavers, 9-2 overall.

‪Saint Joseph Academy d. Hathaway Brown 25-18, 25-21, 27-25.

Shaw d. Cleveland Heights 25-18, 25-17, 22-25, 25-21

Notable: Shaw is now 1-5 while Cleveland Heights falls to 0-4.

Solon d. Elyria 25-27, 25-23, 25-22, 25-17.

Trinity d. Cleveland Central Catholic 25-10, 25-14, 25-17.

Valley Forge d. Parma 25-14, 22-25, 25-21, 25-23.

Villa Angela-St. Joseph d. Warren JFK 25-6, 25-8, 25-16.

Wadsworth d. Tallmadge 25-17, 25-11, 25-14.

Wickliffe d. Hawken 25-19, 25-10, 25-20.

With chants of 'Dos a Cero' ringing out, U.S. men's soccer team qualifies for World Cup with another 2-0 win over Mexico in Columbus

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Americans have beaten Mexico four times in Columbus by identical 2-0 scores

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Early in the second half, the night air was filled with humidity, the scent of sulfur and a joyous sense of deja vu.

American forward Eddie Johnson soared over Mexican defenders and headed a Landon Donovan corner kick into the net Tuesday night during their World Cup qualifier in a packed Crew Stadium. A capacity crowd, at full throat through a scoreless and nervy first half, erupted at the sight of the break-though goal. Smoke bombs detonated in the supporters’ section.

It evoked memories of 2001. And 2005. And 2009. Every four years, U.S. Soccer comes to Columbus and plays its most bitter rival. The Americans and red-and-white clad fans never disappoint.

Goals from Johnson and Donovan combined with a few good first-half saves by keeper Tim Howard lifted the U.S to a yet another 2-0 win over Mexico. The victory coupled with a Honduras tie against Panama earned the Americans a spot in the 2014 World Cup.

"Obviously this is a huge, huge evening for all of us," said U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann, whose team qualified with two games to spare. "It's a huge milestone whenever you make a World Cup."

The Mexicans, meanwhile, are reeling and in danger of missing the planet’s signature tournament to be played next year in Brazil. They have not won a qualifier on U.S. soil since 1972, going 0-5-2 in that span.

The singsong “You’re not going to Brazil,” reverberated through the crowd of 24,584 fans, who were singing more than an hour before the match.

But the chant of the night was “Dos a Cero,” which translates to “2 to 0,” the score of all four USA-Mexico qualifiers in Columbus. Some observers believe captain Clint Dempsey intentionally blasted a stoppage-time penalty kick wide right to preserve the “Dos a Cero” storyline.

There are bigger cities and nicer soccer venues throughout the country. But there is an undeniable connection between our national team and state capital. The U.S. improved to 7-0-3 all-time at Crew Stadium.

It also marked the second time in eight years Uncle Sam’s Army clinched a World Cup berth in Columbus after a win over Mexico. Klinsmann thinks El Tri’s sorry history in the stadium has become a psychological advantage for the Americans.

“Oh, absolutely, I believe so,” said the coach who wore a white “Qualified” T-shirt to the news conference. “The players know when they play in Columbus they have 100 percent support behind them. It gives them energy and it gives them confidence.

“And there’s the old opponent that hasn’t won here in quite awhile knows the difficult situation as well.”

The supporters’ section behind the north goal was like a human jukebox, cranking out one popular chant after another.

The match began with the temperature hovering around 90 degrees and a thundering cry of “I believe that we will win” wafting through the air.

The Americans played without arguably their best player, midfielder Michael Bradley, and their hottest scorer, Jozy Altidore. Bradley sat for the second straight match with an ankle sprain while Altidore was sidelined due to yellow-card accumulation. Each was instrumental in the program-record 12-game winning streak that began after the 4-2 loss to Belgium at FirstEnergy Stadium on May 29.

The Mexican side arrived at Crew Stadium in chaos, sitting fourth in the six-team regional group and having won only once in the first seven qualifiers. They fired coach Jose Manuel “Chepo” de la Torre on Saturday and his replacement Luis Fernando Tena told reporters Monday he had no guarantees beyond the U.S. game.

The visitors had a slight edge in play during the first half, but failed to capitalize on several quality chances. The Americans endured some nervy defending in the first 25 minutes particularly from Fabian Johnson and DaMarcus Beasley.

Beasley nearly put an own goal past keeper Howard in the seventh minute. Howard made his best stop in the 21st minute, diving right to deny a Christian Gimenez bid off a Johnson giveaway. The defender was hobbled by a left hamstring strain and replaced by Michael Parkhurst at half.

“You could (see) in the body language of the Mexican players when they didn’t get a goal they tried really hard for in the first 25 minutes they got heavier and heavier. You could see the psychological load in their minds.”

Eddie Johnson nearly gave the Americans a 1-0 lead against the run of play in the 31st minute. His header off a Donovan corner was stopped by Mexican keeper Jose de Jesus Corona.

The El Tri keeper would not be as lucky in the 49th minute. Johnson powered a header past Corona, who came off his line to contest Donovan’s corner kick.

The goal energized the Americans, who pressed the attack. They made 2-0 as Donovan, the nation’s all-time leading scorer, finished a Mix Diskerud cross in the 78th minute.

Not long ago, Donovan was in self-imposed soccer exile and appeared out of Klinsmann’s plans. But he helped lead the U.S. to a Gold Cup title this summer and continued his fine play with a goal and assist against Mexico.

“We’ve always said Landon is an important part of our team,” Klinsmann said. “The things he went through were his decision. We were totally fine with that. But he also had to understand . . . that he had to fight his way back and that’s what he did . . . He understands the message that nobody has a spot guaranteed.”

Donovan’s heroics made the final minutes anticlimactic save for the outcome of the Honduras game. After the U.S. secured their berth, they returned to the field and saluted the fans who stayed behind to watch the Honduras-Panama game on the scoreboard.

About the only question that remained was whether Dempsey missed his PK on purpose to keep the legend of “Dos a Cero” alive?

“I thought I did well to win the penalty,” Dempsey said. “I was tired but I wanted to take it . . . I tried to put it into the corner and hit it hard. My accuracy was off.”

Believe him or not, one thing is certain. Tuesday night felt like old times in Columbus.


Ursuline College scrambles to rise from ruins of athletic facility destroyed by tornado (video)

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School views the damage as a blessing. It needed a new facility, and has made it a priority.

PEPPER PIKE, Ohio – Known for its nursing school, tiny Ursuline College does not have an archeology department. It does, however, possess a prominent archeological site at the center of campus that dates back to the early 1970s. Recent excavations revealed evidence of use as recently as the second decade of the 21st century.

The jagged, brick ruins are framed by just one complete wall, two partial walls, and half a roof. One easily can imagine young women of the era displaying great feats of physical agility while locals cheered a tribe of student-athletes known as the Arrows.

One basketball hoop still juts prominently from the back wall, but it's counterpart is long gone, perhaps sunk to the bottom of a nearby pond. Buried under the building's rubble, bleachers were found. A sign the structure was somewhat modern remains intact. The sign is blue and says “Pepsi.''

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That seems to be enough evidence to confirm the structure was, in its day, a gymnasium.

Indeed, all that remains of Ursuline College's O'Brien Athletic Center's gym is an open, vacant shell after a tornado tore into it during the predawn hours of July 20. The storm was mild by tornado standards, an estimated F-1 with winds of up to 110 miles per hour, but powerful enough to lift the gym's roof and drop it into place while scattering debris for miles. One giant wood beam was not found.

No one was injured, which is considered a minor miracle because 24 hours prior, about three dozen children slept overnight in the gym as part of a sports camp. The campus almost was empty when the storm hit at 3:45 a.m., slicing through a wooded area off Cedar Road, across the pond, then up a hill to the gym. It narrowly missed a just-completed dining hall and failed to rattle school president Sister Diana Stano, who slept in her home a few hundred yards away.

No other buildings on or near the 68-acre campus were destroyed, but the tornado left a huge hole in Ursuline's athletic department. Its 146 athletes and 11 women's teams (Ursuline does not have men's sports) have been scrambling daily to colleges, high schools and fitness centers across the East Side in search of places to train, practice and compete.

Next to the ruined gym, Ursuline's athletic center housed a fitness center, training rooms, coaches offices and a small natatorium, all of which were damaged and have been declared off-limits while being assessed.

School officials said the gym was destroyed and will need to be rebuilt. They are unsure if the other facilities will be rebuilt or repaired, and are awaiting an insurance settlement that expect will cover at least the replacement cost of the existing gym.

The gym was built in 1973, long before Ursuline began varsity sports in 2000, and a bigger facility is needed. Insurance will not cover that additional expense, Stano said. She estimates a new athletic center will cost between $12.5 million and $15.5 million, depending on whether a pool is included. She anticipates a gap of $5 million to $7 million after the insurance settlement, which is money the school hopes to raise.

Until then, every athlete, coach and trainer is in full-scramble mode for at least the remainder of this school year. Numerous schools have stepped up to offer their facilities for free – John Carroll and Case Western Reserve universities, and Hathaway Brown, Beaumont, Laurel and Beachwood high schools – in addition to the Mandel Jewish Community Center in Beachwood. So, every day, Ursuline athletes pile into nine white vans and criss-cross the East Side for practices, workouts and games. The Cleveland Cavaliers will host an Ursuline home basketball game Jan. 22 at Quicken Loans Arena.

It is a major inconvenience and, especially for seniors who won't play their final games at home, it is just plain sad. They admit it wasn't a good facility, but hey, it was home.

Standing near the gym ruins recently, senior volleyball player and swimmer Lauren Sharnsky of Fairlawn choked up a little. “I'm trying to figure out how to get through the season without thinking about our gym being torn down,'' she said. On Wednesday night, Ursuline's “home” volleyball opener will be at Laurel School in Shaker Heights.

Along with the fact there were no injuries, the school and many of its athletes view the storm as a blessing in many ways.

“When I found out nobody was hurt, I was like, 'Great, because it's time for a new gym.' It was overdue," junior basketball player Brianna Woods said. “I don't see this as a big, bad kind of thing. It's a blessing in disguise. I think it will kind of rally the campus together and now we'll have to get people together to go to games or get together to do other things. Like our president said, it's not the end of the world that a gym got hit by a tornado.''

Ursuline already had embarked on an ambitious upgrade of its athletic department before the storm. This summer, it switched from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for smaller schools to the NCAA's Division II, and for the first time is offering athletic scholarships. To compete with other Division II schools, such as Lake Erie College and Ashland University, Ursuline was going to need a better facility anyway.

“My thought has been that we worked really hard to become a D-II school, so God said, 'I'm going to reward you. I'm going to give you a new gym.' He just didn't tell me about all the collateral damage that was going to be a part of it,'' Stano said with a chuckle. “You have to have faith, and you have to have a sense of humor. Otherwise, you're done.''

Sister Diana Stano image001(6).jpgView full sizeUrsuline College President Sister Diana Stano

Stano said the plan had been to begin fundraising for a new athletic center after the completion of a 30,000-square-foot Center for Creative Healing Arts and Sciences. Groundbreaking for that building was to have been Thursday near the gym, but construction has been put on hold.

Now, the plans to replace the 10,000-square foot destroyed gym with a 40,000-square foot facility are in express mode.

“I would love it by August of next year,'' Stano said. “I already have a contractor and an architect. Depending on how much is raised, we may have to do the building in phases.''

Stano, who one employee described as a “bulldog,'' nimbly pivoted the school after the tornado to use the damage to its advantage. She wants people to see the damage and think about it, which is a challenge because even though the campus is near a heavily traveled area just off I-271, Ursuline College doesn't get many visitors. It does not have through roads and it is tucked behind hills and woods off Fairmont Boulevard and Lander Road.

The school now distributes an eye-catching, fund-raising pamphlet displaying the damage in stark, black-and-white images. A photo of the gym filled with debris is on the cover with the words, “Our community was not built of bricks.'' It unfolds to show shattered windows and a toppled tree with the continued inscription, “It was not built of wood. Or glass or steel.'' The interior page is a photo of Stano standing in the rubble with students, looking solemn and determined. A student has her arms wrapped around Stano's arm, and a head almost resting on Stano's shoulder. Underneath is the line, “Our community was – and is – built of love.'' Included is information on how to donate to the Ursuline College Rebuilding Fund.

Next month, an annual fundraising walk for clean-water wells in Africa purposely will take participants past the destroyed gym for a look.

Also lost were locker rooms, so the school is installing a mobile-home style trailer to serve as a dressing room for visiting soccer, lacrosse and softball teams. Ursuline athletes will have to change in dorm rooms, and those who live off campus will make the best of it.

“Everything has been in my car, and let me tell you, it smells,'' Sharnsky said, laughing and pointing to her silver Toyota Celica.

One trailer houses a makeshift trainer's room, and other trailers will have coaches' offices. Since the storm, the coaches have been jammed into a science laboratory, and into dorm rooms, all of which are crammed with boxes of equipment, uniforms and files.

It can be awkward when potential recruits come to visit.

“We try not to dwell on it too much. The tornado was a freak thing,'' basketball coach Shannon Sword said. “I would rather tell a recruit we're getting a brand new gym than show them the gym we did have, because we didn't have a facility even close to typical Division II schools. I actually think it's a positive.''

Stano said she expects nothing less. As prominent as the gym ruins are on campus, she will not allow coaches or athletes to use the resulting challenges as convenient excuses.

“I know it's really important that we stay positive – no complaining, no blaming, no criticizing. Get it done,'' Stano said. “Conditions are not ideal, but it doesn't matter. You can still be trained well. You can still play well. I don't want a losing record because we didn't (have a facility). We're going to have a great record because we were able to rise above the destruction.''


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