Other Local category, Page 72
Alec Stopperich paces field with 66 at West Penn Amateur qualifier
There was no stopping Alex Stopperich. The Valley Brook Country Club member was the medalist with a 6-under-par 66 and 11 other players joined him as qualifiers for the 119th Western Pennsylvania Golf Association Amateur. Stopperich eagled the 344-yard par-4 first hole and made six birdies to pace the 72-player...
Chartiers Valley grad Alexa Golden making transition from college basketball player to coach
After her freshman season with the Kent State women’s basketball team, Alexa Golden lost some of her passion for the game. The Golden Flash won six games overall and only three in the Mid-American Conference. A new coaching staff, headed by Todd Starkey, came in the next season, and Golden,...
Podcast part 4: Going one-on-one with Mike Ditka
What is Mike Ditka’s favorite thing to do when he returns to the Pittsburgh area? What is his favorite type of cigar? Gus Frerotte and Dave Hager go one-on-one with the former Pitt All-American and Pro Football Hall of Famer in the final segment of this week’s “Huddle Up with...
Plum Legion team looking to make waves in league play
Evan Sante is pulling double duty this summer. In addition to playing for the Plum Pterodactyls in the Daily News adult baseball league, the soon-to-be high school graduate — he and his Plum senior classmates commence Thursday — is a member of the Plum Legion squad for the first time....
Podcast part 3: Mike Ditka talks coaching 1980s Chicago Bears
The 1985 Chicago Bears offense couldn’t help but be good, having practiced daily against one of the NFL’s all-time great defenses, Mike Ditka said. “If we didn’t defense ourselves, we were going to get killed,” Ditka told Gus Frerotte in the third part of this week’s “Huddle Up with Gus”...
Sunnehanna pro Jason Martin breezes to title at Tri-State PGA Open
Sunnehanna Country Club head professional Jason Martin was 1-over par through his first eight holes of the final round of the Tri-State PGA Open on Tuesday. But the first-round co-leader wasn’t getting pushed by amateur Jake Sollon, who was at 4-over par, or any other golfer in the field. Then,...
Podcast: Mike Ditka recalls days at Pitt, getting drafted into NFL
Future Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Ditka’s first professional football contract was for … $12,000. “I was the (fifth) player picked in the draft — $12,000 with a $6,000 signing bonus,” Ditka told Gus Frerotte during the second part of this week’s “Huddle Up with Gus” podcast. Ditka recalls...
Jason Martin, Jake Sollon share Tri-State Open lead after 1st round
Sunnehanna Country Club pro Jason Martin and Peters Township graduate Jake Sollon shared the first-round lead at the Tri-State PGA Open at Chartiers Country Club on Monday. Each shot a 3-under par 67 to lead Nevillewood’s Kevin Shields and amateurs Justin Griffiths and Alec Stopperich by two strokes heading into...
Could Brennan Marion’s ‘Go-Go’ offense work in the NFL?
Brennan Marion brought an avant garde approach to the spread offense when he broke onto the college football scene two years ago. The fast-paced, “Go-Go” offense put up points, yards and highlights at Howard University and now Marion hopes it translates in his first season at William & Mary. But...
Podcast: Mike Ditka recalls growing up in Aliquippa, his drive to succeed
Mike Ditka, the former Pitt All-American and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, grew up wanting to be a dentist. “That didn’t work out, you can tell,” he told Gus Frerotte in the first part of this week’s “Huddle Up with Gus” podcast. Ditka tells the story of...
Joe Boros looks to defend Tri-State Open title
Treesdale Golf and Country Club director of instruction Joe Boros shot a 5-under par 67 during the final round and held off two golfers to capture the 2018 Tri-State Open at Williams Country Club. Boros finished at 5-under for the tournament as he held off Shawn McCall and amateur Andy...
Plum Legion team looking to make waves in league play
Evan Sante is pulling double duty on the baseball diamond this summer. In addition to playing for the Plum Pterodactyls in the Daily News adult league, the soon-to-be high school graduate — he and his Plum senior classmates commence Thursday — is a member of the Plum Senior Legion squad...
Murrysville Senior Legion baseball team returns to District 31
After a one-year hiatus, the Murrysville Senior Legion team is back in business. Coach Chas Brncic hopes the team assembled can produce winning results in its return to the District 31 league. “I do feel this team can be competitive,” said Brncic, who coached the Murrysville Junior Legion team to...
South Fayette grad Sara Jubas a big hit with James Madison softball
By most measures, Sara Jubas’ freshman season with the James Madison softball team was a success. She started every game she played (57) and earned a spot on the Colonial Athletic Association all-rookie team after hitting .302 with seven homers and 25 RBIs. But that was an appetizer for what...
Penn Hills players help Pittsburgh Elite flag football climb national rankings
Last fall, the Penn Hills football program won its first PIAA championship since 1995. Jayvin Turner, a Penn Hills graduate, is trying to do his part for future championships by laying the foundation for the next group of Penn Hills athletes. Turner is in his second year coaching the Pittsburgh...
Penn Hills grad Tucci continues collegiate baseball journey
A year ago when Anthony Tucci was trying to make his college decision, he decided to attend CCAC-Boyce to have more time to consider his academic and athletic paths. After a year there, the Penn Hills grad announced May 17 his intentions to play baseball at Clarion for the final...
Horseshoes, yo-yos and speedcubing: Western Pennsylvania is home to unusual competitions
Pittsburgh may be known for its football, baseball and hockey, but the region’s competitive spirit goes much further. The East Coast Slingshot Tournament coming to East Huntingdon this weekend is just one of the area’s creative contests. Here’s a few more examples: East Coast Masters yo-yo championship Professional yo-yo players...
WVU sophomore Mark Goetz breaks course record at Hannastown
With his college season finished, Mark Goetz returned to Greensburg to play his home course. Make that, overtake his home course. Goetz carved up a career round Monday — and had a Memorial Day to remember – with a course-record 10-under par 60 at Hannastown Golf Club. A sophomore at...
Gus Frerotte huddles up with former AOL Sports executive Jimmy Lynn
Former Ford City High School standout and NFL quarterback Gus Frerotte sits down with Jimmy Lynn, a former AOL vice president who oversaw AOL Sports’ strategic partnerships, in the latest edition of the podcast “Huddle Up with Gus.” In each episode, Frerotte discusses with guests how sports has shaped their...
Greensburg Salem grad Brennan Marion invited to NFL coaching summit
Rising coach Brennan Marion is a sponge when it comes to gaining — and sharing — football information. Which made him a perfect candidate for the NFL Quarterback Coaching Summit. Marion, the offensive coordinator at William & Mary and a Greensburg Salem graduate, will join a number of other NFL...
North Huntingdon’s Austen Swankler helps Sioux Falls to USHL championship
North Huntingdon native Austen Swankler’s first season in the USHL ended with a championship celebration. Swankler, 17, and his Sioux Falls Stampede teammates marched through the USHL playoffs, going 11-1 and claiming the team’s third championship with a 5-1 victory over Chicago on Friday night. Sioux Falls recorded three-game sweeps...
Podcast: Gus Frerotte huddles up with Falcons LB Foye Oluokun
Former Ford City High School standout and NFL quarterback Gus Frerotte sits down with Atlanta Falcons linebacker Foye Oluokun in the latest edition of the podcast, “Huddle Up with Gus.” In each episode, Frerotte discusses with guests how sports has shaped their lives. Part 1: My childhood idols:...
Alle-Kiski Valley Hall of Fame enshrines 50th class on emotional night
The empty seat at the dais was about the same size as the hole in everyone’s hearts Saturday night as the 50th class of the Alle-Kiski Valley Sports Hall of Fame was enshrined at the New Kensington Quality Inn. The rich and familiar voice that echoed through the air waves...
Former Penn Hills star Drew Schifino starts athlete mentor program
Drew Schifino was one of the top basketball players to come out of the WPIAL. Schifino didn’t have the smoothest ride during his playing career, which has led him to share his experiences with young players so they can learn from his experiences. Schifino, who trains basketball players during his...
Birdie wins Westmoreland County 3-man scramble
The team of Arnie Cutrell, Kevin Fajt and Palmer Jackson birdied the fourth sudden-death playoff to capture the Westmoreland County Golf Association’s 3-man Scramble. The winning team defeated Billy Clark, Brandon Ledoux and John W. Clark. Both teams shot 60 at Hillcrest Country Club in Lower Burrell. Placing third a...
