Local Sports Briefs

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PARATRIATHLON

Norman set for Rio Games test

Xenia Christian High School student Grace Norman arrived in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil on Wednesday morning following 12 hours of air travel, a little tired, but ready to compete in this week’s test of the Olympics venues for the paratriathlon.

The setting is absolutely breathtaking with the Team USA hotel and race venue all staged on Copacabana Beach. The sand castles are complete works of art, the waves are crashing on the sand, and although this is Brazil’s winter, the temperature is 70 degrees Fahrenheit, with no humidity. Perfect in many ways!

The U.S. was able to qualify 11 athletes for this race as only 60 were invited. Day 1 – included a Team USA photo shoot, a run warm-up on the beach view race course, a swim at an area pool, and a bike with the woman’s team.

All of the race previews for the swim, bike, and run are scheduled to take place Friday. Also the official race team meeting will be held to go over all the details for race day.

(Report provided by Robin Norman, Xenia Christian coach, who is also Grace’s mom.)

COLLEGE

Central State Football Fan Appreciation Day, August 22nd

WILBERFORCE — The Central State football team will hold Fan Appreciation Day at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22 at McPherson Memorial Stadium. Admission is free to the public and the gates will open at 1 p.m.

Marauder fans will be able to view the 2015 team as CSU competes against each other in an intersquad scrimmage.

The CSU Athletic Department will supply 2015 football team schedules and host contests and giveaways throughout the afternoon. One lucky fan will receive two free tickets to the Circle City Classic at Indianapolis’s Lucas Oil Stadium against Kentucky State. Fans are also encouraged to stop by the CSU Sports Information table for details on tickets and upcoming events throughout the 2015-16 school year.

Throughout the event, fans who are followers of the CSU athletics Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts will be randomly selected for prizes. Fans must follow CSU on its new social media pages to be eligible to win.

In addition, the CSU coaching staff will be hosting the Football 101 Women’s Clinic beginning at 9:30 am. The clinic is free and is designed to encourage female participation during this year’s Marauder football season. Those interested in attending can call the CSU Sports Information Office at (937) 376 6345.

For more information on Marauder Athletics, please visit maraudersports.com.

Burns named Wright State tennis coach

FAIRBORN — Eric Burns has been named the men’s and women’s tennis coach at Wright State University, Raider Deputy Director of Athletics Dr. Roderick Perry announced Thursday.

Burns had been the successful head coach of both programs at Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne until sports were discontinued there in April. Over his 13 years as head coach, the men posted 135 wins while the women won 232 matches and four Summit League titles, advancing to the NCAA Tournament three times in 2010, 2011 and 2013. The 2010 NCAA appearance was the first in program history. He led the women’s team to 10 consecutive winning seasons, including five 20-win seasons, while capturing the Summit League regular season championship in 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2013.

“I believe Coach Burns is a great fit for Wright State University,” Perry said. “He has a proven track record as a head coach with multiple NCAA tournament appearances. I know he will work tirelessly to build upon the foundation established by previous coaches and student-athletes to take both teams to new heights of success.”

With Burns at the helm, IPFW women’s tennis was a dominant force in the Summit League since joining in 2007-08, never finishing lower than third in the regular season standings with four titles. The Dons advanced to the Summit League Championship finals six times, winning three.

Burns was 55-5 all-time in Summit League regular season matches over eight years, which gives him the highest winning percentage in the history of the league, and had 27 players earn All-League honors in that time.

“I am very proud and honored to become the head coach at Wright State University,” said Burns. “I want to thank Bob Grant, Dr. Perry and the entire search committee for giving me this great opportunity to continue doing a job I love. I believe, with some hard work, our teams can achieve great success and compete for Horizon League championships yearly. I am really excited to get started and work toward our goals of great academic success and gaining a conference championship and NCAA berth.”

Compiled by John Bombatch and Zach Gregory. Please send sports information to: [email protected].

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