Norwin announces 2022 sports hall of fame class
From its all-time leading scorer in girls basketball, to a pair of three-sport standouts, to two WPIAL championship teams of 2016, the Norwin Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2022 covers a lot of ground. Soccer, wrestling and football also are part of the mix. Even the district’s favorite ticket-taker...
High school notebook: Norwin wrestling coach leads U16 team to national duals title
Called the “toughest wrestling tournament in the country,” the USA Wrestling National Championships represent a true test of talent for coaches and competitors. To Kyle Martin, the event represents a grandiose stage that matches the competition level. Martin found so much enjoyment and success in last year’s event, he couldn’t...
Norwin notebook: Hockey team collects championship rings
The Norwin hockey team reassembled as PIHL champions recently and collected their spoils: championship rings. One last time, the Knights again celebrated the greatest season in program history, one that saw them capture their first league title with a 5-0 win over Meadville in March at the UPMC Lemieux Complex...
Norwin’s Kyle Martin leads national team to duals title in Fargo
Called the “toughest wrestling tournament in the country,” the USA Wrestling National Championships represent a true test of talent for coaches and competitors. To Kyle Martin, the event represents a grandiose stage that matches the competition level. Martin found so much enjoyment and success in last year’s event, he couldn’t...
Latrobe football team earns long-awaited 7-on-7 win on its home field
As Penn-Trafford’s final deep pass attempt sailed out of the end zone and fell incomplete, players from Latrobe jumped into each other’s arms and bounced around in a sudden swell of excitement. For once, the Wildcats got to celebrate on their home field, which hosted the county 7-on-7 passing tournament...
Westmoreland notebook: WCCA 7-on-7 tournament returns
The “skill” guys — the quarterbacks, running backs, receivers and defensive backs — will be on display Thursday at the Westmoreland County Coaches Association Larry Sellitto Memorial 7-on-7 Football Championship, a sure sign high school football is fast approaching. The pitch-and-catch event begins at 9 a.m. at Latrobe’s Rossi and...
Westmoreland high school notebook: Transfer to prep school a tough decision for Franklin Regional lineman
Andrew Nesler is on the move. The rising senior football player is leaving Franklin Regional for The Hill School, a prep academy in Pottstown, about 70 miles east of Hershey. Nesler, a 6-foot-2, 285-pound lineman, said the transfer is motivated by personal and family reasons. He was a key player...
Westmoreland County high school notebook: Norwin senior wowed by Donald at workout
Noah Vogel went to Pitt for what initially looked like an unremarkable football workout. Another day in the blazing summer heat. But his day ended up becoming quite remarkable. Vogel, a senior tight end and defensive end at Norwin, received one-on-one instruction from Pitt great and Super Bowl champion Aaron...
North Allegheny again finishes atop Class 6A Trib Cup standings
North Allegheny winning the Trib HSSN Cup comes as no surprise. The fact that it was closer than usual made things interesting in the 6A chase. A strong athletic season at Mt. Lebanon kept it close, but in the end, NA still won comfortably to keep intact its two-decade streak...
Norwin notebook: Former volleyball coach honored for remarkable record
Last spring, MaxPreps scoured the country looking for the best female high school coaches of all time in every state. The online prep sports outlet recognized one of the most successful girls volleyball coaches in the WPIAL, naming legendary Norwin leader Sheron Watson as its top coach in Pennsylvania. Watson’s...
Westmoreland notebook: Belle Vernon slugger Maren Metikosh class of 4A softball
Maren Metikosh has a name that rolls off the tongue. It is pure alliteration for broadcasters and announcers at Belle Vernon softball games. Her swing is even smoother. The rising senior had a memorable season for the Leopards as she launched home runs off the Dairy Queen sign in left...
Westmoreland high school notebook: Latrobe’s Blair gets D-I offer
Emma Blair has her first NCAA Division I scholarship offer. The girls basketball standout from Latrobe was offered over the weekend by South Carolina-Upstate in Valley Falls, S.C. The 6-foot-1 throwback forward, who is known for her prowess to produce double-doubles, averaged 13.6 points and 12.5 rebounds and shot 56%...
Penn-Trafford’s Mia Smith takes 2022 Tribune-Review Westmoreland Softball Player of the Year honors
The evolution of Mia Smith’s high school softball career began in 2019 when she was a freshman. A closer two seasons ago when Penn-Trafford won a PIAA championship, Smith took over the lead role in the circle this season and shined. She led the Warriors (20-4) to a runner-up finish...
Westmoreland H.S. notebook: Penn-Trafford, Greensburg Salem among biggest moves in basketball realignment
Summer is just starting, but the WPIAL has its new basketball sections in place for the next winter season. The biggest movers in Westmoreland County are Penn-Trafford and Greensburg Salem, which are dropping from Class 6A. Penn-Trafford will be in 5A in boys and girls hoops. The Greensburg Salem boys...
WPIAL recognizes Norwin grad Sydney Willig for courage in cystic fibrosis fight
It takes courage to do what Sydney Willig does every day. To wear a vibrating vest each morning. To use multiple nebulizers before classes. To constantly ingest medication. When you have cystic fibrosis, it takes courage to do what is necessary to stay alive. Willig wears the illness’ symbolic purple...
Norwin notebook: Lacrosse player honored as positive athlete
Norwin senior Nickolas Harris was one of 32 winners at this year’s Western Pennsylvania Positive Athlete Awards presentation, done virtually via social media. Harris won the award in boys lacrosse. Athletes are honored for overcoming obstacles, giving back to their schools and communities or having positive attitudes that better those...
Westmoreland County Senior Spotlight: Norwin’s Aaron Schmook
Aaron Schmook ended his high school athletic career by earning a medal at the PIAA track and field championships. He finished eighth in the javelin. He also played linebacker for the Knights, averaging 6.6 tackles. Schmook recently announced he accepted a scholarship to Kent State. While his season didn’t end...
Westmoreland HS notebook: Special honor for Norwin’s Rosado Guindin
Norwin senior Sebastian Rosado Guindin knew he was in the running for a unique award, but he was a little taken aback when his name was called. “Yes, I was a surprised when I won,” he said. Rosado Guindin won the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Sports Most...
Norwin notebook: Paralympian chosen to promote sport of goalball
A dynamic goal scorer and Paralympian, Calahan Young has made his mark in the sport of goalball. Now the Irwin native and Norwin graduate will be a diplomat for the game he loves. The U.S. Association of Blind Athletes, the national governing body for goalball in the Paralympics, named Young...
Norwin senior honored as Pittsburgh area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce MVP
Norwin senior Sebastian Rosado Guindin knew he was in the running for a unique award but was a little taken aback when his name was called. “Yes, I was surprised when I won,” he said. Rosado Guindin won the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Sports Most Valuable Player...
Westmoreland notebook: GCC, Penn-Trafford, Southmoreland in PIAA softball playoffs
The PIAA softball playoff field is set and three local teams will begin play Monday. All three will have lengthy road trips. WPIAL Class 5A runner-up Penn-Trafford (18-3) will play at Twin Valley (17-8), the District 3 runner-up, at 4 p.m. In Class 3A, Southmoreland (14-4) visits Bald Eagle (10-5),...
Norwin notebook: Baseball, softball standouts earn all-section honors
Norwin athletes once again made their mark in the WPIAL’s two largest classifications this spring. The Big 5/6 Conference, which covers Class 6A and 5A athletics, had its all-section banquet May 25 and announced its top players in baseball and softball. Section 2-6A baseball’s first team included seniors Jack Whalen...
Westmoreland notebook: Big 5/6 Conference announces baseball, softball all-stars
Westmoreland County athletes once again made their mark in the WPIAL’s two largest classifications this spring. The Big 5/6 Conference, which covers Class 6A and 5A athletics, had its all-section banquet Wednesday and announced its top players in baseball and softball. Section 2-6A baseball’s first team included senior infielder Joe...
Competition with teammate leads to WPIAL javelin gold for Norwin’s Cody Scherle
Norwin senior Cody Scherle had been nipping at teammate Aaron Schmook’s heels all season. When Schmook won a javelin title, Scherle was consistently close behind, often as the runner-up. The competition was healthy, but also frustrating at times for Scherle. But the momentum shifted at the WPIAL Class 3A championships...
Norwin notebook: Strong volleyball season ends in WPIAL quarterfinals
Norwin had a strong regular season but bowed out early in the WPIAL Class 3A boys volleyball playoffs. The No. 5-seeded Knights dropped a 3-1 decision to No. 4 Shaler in the quarterfinals. Norwin coach Mike Palaschak said he expected the match to be close, and it was. The Knights...