Recruiting Philadelphia is one of Patrick Chambers’ top priorities. But Penn State’s new men’s basketball coach took advantage of his connections in Boston this week.
Chambers received his first commitment as a Penn State coach Tuesday when Akosa Maduegbunam, a wing player from Winchendon High School, became the first member of the Nittany Lions’ Class of 2012. ESPN.com initially reported the story.
The 6-foot-4 Maduegbunam, who Chambers had been recruiting while he was coaching at Boston University, played his last two seasons at Charlestown High School, averaging 22 points and eight rebounds per game this past season and helping the Townies to the Boston City League championship.
He also received offers from Temple, Drexel, New Hampshire and Iona.
Lions add another lineman
Penn State added its fourth offensive lineman and 11th overall prospect to its football recruiting class on Tuesday.
Joey O’Connor, a 6-foot-4, 285-pound tackle/guard from Windsor, Colo., has committed to the Nittany Lions.
O’Connor, of Windsor High School, had picked up offers from nearly a dozen other top programs, including Arizona, South Carolina, Tennessee, Colorado and UCLA.
He was recruited by Penn State tackles and tight ends coach Bill Kenney.
The Nittany Lions have also received commitments from offensive line prospects J.J. Denman (Fairless Hills), Brian Gaia (Baltimore, Md.) and Anthony Stanko (Warren, Ohio).
MEN'S GOLF
Howe uses extra hole for Publinx victory
BANDON, Ore. — Penn State’s T.J. Howetrailed for nearly all his match before a late birdie and another on the 19th hole gave him a first-round win at the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championships on Wednesday.
Howe defeated Clifford Blanquicet of Sanford, N.C. during match-play on the 6,832-yard Bandon Trails course at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort.
Howe was as much as two strokes down on the front nine and was 1 down for most of the back nine before a birdie on the par-5 16th hole squared the match. The pair matched scores over the final two holes, then Howe birdied the par-4 first hole to win the match.
Howe will face Maxwell Marsico of Las Vegas in today’s second round.
TeammateAnthony DeGolwas not as successful. The junior dropped his first-round match 3 and 2 to Kevin Miller of Dover, Ohio.
In stroke play Monday and Tuesday, Howe shot rounds of 75-72—147 to tie for 10th while DeGol carded a 72-73—145 to tie for 27th.
WOMEN'S GOLF
Seo advances at Publinx
BANDON, Ore. — Penn State’s Hanule Seo won her first-round contest in match play to make the round of 32 at the U.S. Women’s amateur Public Links Championship on Wednesday.
Seo beat Brooke Baker of Edmond, Okla., 3 and 2 to move into the second round today at Bandon Dunes’ 6,098-yard Old McDonald course.
Seo advanced to match play after two rounds of stroke play Monday and Tuesday with an 8-over 76-74—141 total. She will face Honolulu’s Stephanie Kono today.
PSU to host NCAA regionals
UNIVERSITY PARK — For the first time in its history, Penn State has been selected as a host course for the NCAA Regional Championships.
The 6,246-yard, par-72 Blue Course will be one of three sites for the 2012 regionals on May 10- 12. The course will host 24 teams and six additional individuals in the first NCAA women’s golf event ever held in Pennsylvania.
“We are very excited to host the 2012 NCAA East Regional,” head coach Denise St. Pierre said. “We have been waiting for this opportunity, and now with some upgrades to our facilities we are able to accommodate the caliber of play this type of event will bring. We look forward to the tournament and hope to be among the top teams invited to participate.”
Regionals also will be held at Ohio State’s Scarlet Course and at Colorado Nationals Golf Club in Erie, Colo., leading to the NCAA Championships in Franklin, Tenn.
