PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed backup offensive tackle Trai Essex to a two-year contract, guaranteeing that four of the team's free agent offensive linemen will return.

The Steelers already had signed left guard Chris Kemoeatu to a five-year contract and starting tackles Willie Colon and Max Starks to one-year contracts.

Essex is entering his fifth season. He can play tackle and guard and has started four times in 33 career regular-season games. He visited the Tennessee Titans last week before re-signing with the Steelers.

Pittsburgh also released guard Kendall Simmons Tuesday and did not attempt to re-sign tackle Marvel Smith.

ROANOKE, Va. — The Pittsburgh 3-Rivers Junior Olympic volleyball team won the Shamrock Festival Tournament's 18-year-old gold division last weekend.Ninety teams made up the field, with the 3-Rivers squad defeating a team from Kentucky in the finals 26-24 and 25-17.The team's roster includes Seneca Valley's Meghan Franz and Alex Karika, and Butler's Stephanie Mock and Becky Smith.

BUTLERTWP— Two Butler youth wrestlers qualified for the Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling State Championships.David Dymun (10-and-under, 95-pound class) and Blake Caudill in the (14-and under, 87-pound class) will compete in the event, which is scheduled Friday and Saturday in Erie.

BUFFALOTWP— Lernerville Speedway's test andtune day will take place from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, weather permitting.The speedway's first night of racing is set for March 27.Speedway tech inspectors will be available to alleviate some of the procedural aspects of making sure all cars are legal.Gates open at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. General admission is free and concessions will be available.

BUTLERTWP— Numerous Butler County youth bowlers advanced to the Pepsi Tournament state finals through the District 2 event held recently at Family Bowlaway.Butler bowlers Autumn Hepler and Ashley Lewis finished first and second, respectively, in the 12-and-over girls division. Hepler rolled a 613 actual series, her first career 600-series, and a 796 handicap. Lewis rolled a 739 handicap series.Qualifying for the state tournament in the boys 11-and-under division are Ryan Scott of Seven Fields (second, 781 handicap) and Butler's Jonathan Angello (sixth, 733), Jory Loughman (seventh, 729), Ethan Grimm (10th, 720), Seth Carter (11th, 719) and Bryan Hindman (12th, 716).Qualifying in the 12-and-over boys division were Chris McKinnis of Seven Fields (eighth, 728) and Butler's Eric Anderson (10th, 713) and Garret Ondo (13th, 698).The state finals will be May 16 and 17 at Family Bowlaway and Sherwood Lanes.

HOUSTON — Hours after arriving home from an important victory in New Orleans, the Houston Rockets awakened to news that forward Carl Landry had been shot overnight Tuesday near his home.Landry, 25, sustained a minor wound to his left calf and is expected to miss only one to three weeks.