Paul Schofield stories, Page 75
Westmoreland County high school notebook: Derry, Latrobe, Connellsville hire alumni as coaches
Three district high schools recently decided to hire graduates as their next coaches. Derry named Troy Dolan Jr. as its new wrestling coach to replace Mike Weinell, who resigned this summer. Dolan was a three-time PIAA champion and four-time WPIAL champion. Latrobe named Karissa (Walker) Skiba as its new girls...
Penn-Trafford boys golf team starts season strong
When the Penn-Trafford boys golf team opened the season Aug. 24 against Indiana, coach Andy Rizzardi said he didn’t know what to expect with only two starters returning. “Indiana is always a good team, and I knew going against them to open the season would be a challenge,” Rizzardi said....
Franklin Regional girls golfers look to stay on top of section
Franklin Regional girls golf coach Kane Daignault said he knew he had a good team returning. But when he finally got to watch freshman Anna Qin, he knew this could be a special season. Qin instantly made Franklin Regional the team to beat in Section 3-AAA, he said. “How good...
Hempfield’s furious 4th quarter dooms Greensburg SalemVideo
Hempfield scored 22 points in the fourth quarter Friday and rallied to defeat rival Greensburg Salem, 29-14, at Spartan Stadium. Junior quarterback Jake Phillips tossed two touchdown passes, including the winner to junior Ian Tuffs with 3 minutes, 2 seconds left to erase a 14-13 deficit. Junior Elijah Binakonsky iced...
Erdely wins Westmoreland Senior Amateur after entering at urging of his sonVideo
Roger Erdely was playing the good dad and taking his son, Nixen, around to play in Junior golf events. Nixen, a sophomore at Frazier, challenged his dad to play in a tournament. “He told me, ‘You take me everywhere, and when we play, you beat me,’ ” Roger Erdely said....
Yough’s Tristan Waldier looking to shine at wide receiver
Yough’s Tristan Waldier said he doesn’t like to brag, but he’s expecting a big season if he stays healthy. All the 6-foot-2, 200-pound senior wants is an injury-free season and a chance to show people how good of a wide receiver he can be. Waldier is switching back to wide...
Father vs. son twist adds spice to Greensburg Salem-Hempfield rivalry
Over the 56 years of the Greensburg Salem-Hempfield football rivalry, the game has featured battles between cousins, friends and even a coach going against his son. That was when Greensburg Salem coach Jim Jones went against his son Adam, who was Hempfield’s quarterback. This year’s version features a son coaching...
Westmoreland County football players to watch for Week Zero 2021
Nick Beitel Ligonier Valley, Sr., RB/DB The 5-foot-8, 185-pound speedster rushed for 642 yards, second on the team, and three touchdowns last year. He also caught a team-high 14 passes for 147 yards. He’s a four-year starter as a defensive back. He also is an outstanding baseball player. Gavin Roebuck...
Penn-Trafford senior lineman can’t wait for season opener
When Declan Ochendowski looked at the 2021 football schedule, he didn’t just circle one game that he was looking forward to. He circled them all. “I’m excited about all the games,” said the 6-foot-3, 245-pound senior tackle/defensive end. “If I had to choose, the Norwin game is a big rivalry,...
2021 WPIAL Class 3A football breakdown: Central Valley the heavy favorite again
Last season, Central Valley outclassed everyone in Class 3A. The Warriors breezed through the WPIAL and PIAA playoffs and capped it off by winning the school’s first state title. Central Valley averaged 50.1 points and allowed 9.8. While those numbers might be hard to duplicate, the Warriors remain the team...
Mt. Pleasant’s Aaron Alakson hopes special bond with teammates translates to wins
It was an easy choice when Mt. Pleasant football coach Jason Fazekas was asked to name a player who was having a good camp. Aaron Alakson. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound senior will be counted on to be a leader for the Vikings. Alakson led the team in rushing with 630 yards...
Penn-Trafford girls golf looks to rebound after rare playoff miss
It was an unusual season for the Penn-Trafford girls’ golf season in 2020. Not only did the Warriors, like all high school athletic teams, endure the challenges of the coronavirus, the team failed to qualify for the WPIAL playoffs for only the second time in the last 16 seasons. “I...
Ligonier Valley continues to adjust in 2nd year in WPIAL
Ligonier Valley’s return to the WPIAL was a learning experience for football coach Roger Beitel in 2020. Not only did the Rams discover what type of styles and athleticism opponents had, they also got a geography lesson. Ligonier Valley played in six counties — Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Fayette, Greene and...
‘The Dude’ abides on Ligonier Valley offensive line
Before the 2020 season, Ligonier Valley football coach Roger Beitel talked to a few college coaches about their opinions about offensive linemen. The Rams were returning a two-year starter at center in Jude Grzywinski and Beitel was considering moving him to another position. The coaches advised Beitel to be strong...
With experienced roster, Greensburg Salem ready to add to win total
The highlight of the 2020 Greensburg Salem football season was reaching the 700-win milestone. Other than that, the season didn’t play out as coach Dave Keefer and his Golden Lions had hoped. Greensburg Salem finished 1-6 in the WPIAL Class 4A Greater Allegheny Conference in a covid-19 shortened season. But...
Greensburg Central Catholic girls golf team looks to continue its dominance
There hasn’t been a more consistent Class AA girls golf team in the WPIAL or state than Greensburg Central Catholic. The Centurions have won six consecutive WPIAL titles and have finished first or second in the PIAA for six consecutive seasons, winning in 2018 and ’19. North East, from District...
New faces tasked with carrying on Penn-Trafford tradition
Rebuilding is a word that isn’t used around the Penn-Trafford football program. They just retool or restock. There is always a group of players ready to step in and take their turn. Some coaches use the team “tradition never graduates,” and what John Ruane has built at Penn-Trafford is a...
New era dawns at Franklin Regional
It’s a fresh start for the Franklin Regional football team. New is the popular word around the program. Lance Getsy replaced legendary coach Greg Botta, who retired after 27 years. Getsy brought in seven new assistant coaches. A new defensive scheme is being implemented, and there are numerous new players...
U.S. Amateur finally catches break from weather, gets down to semifinals
It was catch-up day for the 121st U.S. Amateur. Mother Nature final gave the tournament and Oakmont Country Club a break. After delays and suspensions of play the past three days, all the golfers faced Friday during the finish of the Rounds of 32 and 16 and the quarterfinals were...
Following increases for Greensburg’s Mark Goetz at U.S. Amateur match play
Even though Greensburg native Mark Goetz lost in the Round of 64 at the U.S. Amateur on Thursday at Oakmont Country Club, hundreds followed him around the course. Goetz was carrying the flag not only for Greensburg and Westmoreland County, he was doing it for Western Pennsylvania. He teed off...
Greensburg’s Mark Goetz upset as top seed at U.S. AmateurVideo
Mark Goetz’s summer has been filled with ups and downs. Earlier this week, the Greensburg native and West Virginia senior hit a high note when he won medalist honors at the 121st United States Golf Association’s Amateur by shooting an 8-under par 132 (6-under 64 at Longue Vue Club and...
U.S. Amateur notes: Goetz has large following
If Mark Goetz was nervous teeing off No. 1 during the 121st United States Golf Association’s Amateur on Wednesday at Oakmont Country Club, he sure didn’t look like it. With more than 30 friends and family, the majority from Hannastown Golf Club in his hometown of Greensburg cheering, watching Goetz...
Greensburg’s Mark Goetz earns medalist honors at U.S. Amateur, awaits weather delayed match play
All Mark Goetz wanted to do this summer was to qualify for the 121st United States Golf Association’s Amateur championship and make it to match play. Goetz achieved his goal and surprised many by winning medalist honors in stroke play. He entered match play as the No. 1 seed. The...
Oakmont Country Club to be anchor site for U.S. Open, with 8 more USGA championships scheduled
Western Pennsylvania golf fans will have plenty of chances to see some of the world’s top golfers. The USGA named Oakmont Country Club its second “anchor site” for future USGA championships Wednesday, and the famed course will host the U.S. Open in 2025, 2034, 2042 and 2049, as well as...
U.S. Amateur notes: Clemson golfer ties Longue Vue’s course record
Jacob Bridgeman didn’t know who Bob Ford was when asked. But the Inman, S.C., native was impressed when he heard the credentials of the former Oakmont Country Club and Seminole Golf Club (Florida) head professional. Bridgeman shot a 7-under-par 63 on Monday during Day 1 of stroke play competition at...
