Raiders’ Dehart picks Clarion

JACKSON TWP — Seneca Valley senior Mason Dehart signed a letter of intent Wednesday to continue his academic and football careers at Clarion University.

Dehart started at halfback and linebacker for the Raiders last fall.

Mars’ McNany chooses college

ADAMS TWP — Mars High School’s Ian McNany signed a letter of intent Wednesday to continue his academic and athletic careers in college.

McNany, a star defender/midfielder for the Planets’ boys soccer team, will continue playing at Robert Morris University.

SRU baseball picked 3rd in PSAC West

SLIPPERY ROCK — The Slippery Rock University baseball team has been picked to finish third in the PSAC West in the preseason coaches poll.

Mercyhurst is picked to win the West, followed by Seton Hill, SRU, California, Gannon, Indiana, Pitt-Johnstown and Clarion.

Jeff Messer enters his 30th season as Rock head coach, sporting an 894-540-5 record, including 25-20 last year. His sixth win this season will make him the seventh active NCAA Division II coach with 900 wins.

The Rock opens the 2015 season Feb. 14-15 at King University. Its PSAC West opener is March 15 at Mercyhurst.

Hildebrand top star in Big Ten again

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Center Township resident Jake Hildebrand, a junior goaltender on the Michigan State University hockey team, has received the Big Ten’s First Star of the Week for the second successive week.

Hildebrand stopped 29 of 30 shots in leading the Spartans to a 2-1 win over No. 13 Michigan at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. He leads the Big Ten with a 2.35 goals-against average and .920 save percentage this year.

Michigan State is 10-11-2 on the season — 4-3-2 in the Big Ten — and Hildebrand has posted three shutouts.

Motocross riders on to Wilkes Barre

Three local motocross riders who routinely practice at Switchback Raceway in Butler will compete in the Amsoil Amateur Arenacross event this weekend at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes Barre.

Kevin Basel, 17, of Clay Township, began racing in the pro/A Class this year and will compete in his largest pro race to date Sunday.

Connor Cappetta, 8, of West Deer will compete in the 65cc 7-9 and 7-11 age group divisions. He finished 12th in the KTM Jr. SX challenge last year in St. Louis, Mo.

Dash McMillin, 8, of Summit Township will also compete in the 65cc 7-9 and 7-11 divisions. He finished 10th in the KTM Jr. SX challenge last year at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.