[naviga:h3]7 female bowlers in Pa. regionals[/naviga:h3]

NORTH VERSAILLES — Seven Butler County bowlers have qualified for the Pennsylvania Western Regional Tournament with their performances in the WPIBL Singles Championships Thursday at New Great Valley Lanes.

Butler’s Nicole Nebel rolled a 583 series, including a 228 in her final game to tie for sixth place. Mercedes Belch rolled a 209-572 to tie for 11th while Ashley McCue finished 27th.

Maddie Ferringer of Seneca Valley was ninth overall with a 577 series. Mars’ Hali Hartley was 14th, Allison Bruce 33rd and Karlee Arendt 34th.

Brianna Lundy of Norwin won the singles championship. The Western Regionals will be held March 11-12.

[naviga:h3]SV grad Mascio helps set GCC mark[/naviga:h3]

YOUNGSTOWN — Seneca Valley graduate and Grove City College junior Andrew Mascio ran a leg of the Wolverines’ distance medley relay that set a school indoor record Thursday.

Mascio teamed with Josh Dunsworth, Drew Thibault and Matt Werner to run a time of 11 minutes, 6.95 seconds at the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships at Youngstown State University.

Grove City’s relay time was fourth in the event.

[naviga:h3]Pens sign Maatta to 6-year extension[/naviga:h3]

PITTSBURGH — Olli Maatta felt like a Pittsburgher from the moment the Penguins took the talented teenager with the 22nd overall pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, the one held on the floor of the Consol Energy Center.

“It started to feel like home straightaway,” Maatta said.

That’s why Maatta didn’t feel the need to look elsewhere. Rather than pursue free agency down the road, Maatta instead agreed to a six-year contract extension with Pittsburgh on Friday that will keep the 21-year-old in black-and-gold through the 2021-22 season.

The deal carries an annual average value of $4.1 million and makes Maatta part of a core that includes centers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, defenseman Kris Letang and goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, all of whom are signed through at least the 2018-19 season.

“I want to be a big part of this team,” Maatta said. “I want to produce out there and I just don’t want to be part of a team, I want to be able to play a big role.”

Maatta has six goals and 10 assists in 53 games for the Penguins this season. He leads Pittsburgh’s defenseman and is second on the team in plus/minus differential at plus-18 while playing alongside Letang.

From staff and wire reports