Hampton swimmers exceed expectations at shortened PIAA meet
It didn’t turn out the way they expected, but it still exceeded all expectations. After sending five boys to the PIAA swimming championships — the most in its past four years in the highest competition of AAA — Hampton didn’t walk away with any medals. But it still remains prideful...
Underclassmen lead Hampton wrestlers to record season
Last year, a rash of injuries ran Hampton wrestling off track. It was only a matter of time, however, before this group made history. Hampton’s wrestlers, who had been fighting through dual meets all year with multiple forfeits, shined in the WPIAL championships. When it was all said and done,...
Hampton grad White takes steps forward for Duquesne diving
Her freshman year, it didn’t take Adrienne White long to get acclimated to college diving. Now, the two-time Atlantic 10 rookie of the week is not only focused on her own improvement, but on helping her teammates as well. White finished 10th in the conference championships in the 1-meter diving...
Kocak, Wright end Hampton wrestling careers in memorable fashion
Tyler Kocak and Zach Wright faced their share of adversity in their high school wrestling careers. So it was fitting to see both make a run at the podium at the PIAA Class AAA championships at Hershey’s Giant Center. Kocak (38-7) finished eighth at 170 pounds in what coach Chris...
Girls’ improvement at WPIAL swimming championships gives hope for future
With Hampton boys swimming making waves in its last season in Class AAA, the girls were determined to start laying the foundation for a solid future. “They all improved,” coach Morgan Zweygardt said. “When the boys do so well, it can overshadow what the girls have done. I don’t think...
Hampton boys swimming enjoys huge day at WPIAL championships
Morgan Zweygardt has gotten used to bringing one or two boys to states every year. This year, she will need a bigger vehicle to travel to Hershey. The Hampton boys swim team finished third overall at WPIALs — easily its best finish since the move to Class AAA four years...
Hampton grad Ionadi impresses with GPA, 3-point shooting at Case Western
Many remember Antonio Ionadi as the sharpshooting guard who helped lead Hampton to its WPIAL Class 5A finals appearance in 2017. The junior at Case Western still sports a great shot, but defense has helped him become a more complete player. He was recently named CoSIDA Academic-All District for the...
Hampton grad Flanagan emerges as Atlantic 10 swim medalist for Duquesne
Two years ago, Clare Flanagan was left off Duquesne’s competition team for the Atlantic 10 swimming championships. So the possibility of medaling in her career was incomprehensible. Even last week, she never thought it was possible. The mindset only changed when she finished third in the A-10 prelims. “I’ve been...
Basketball takes Hampton’s Mark Shehady halfway around world
Becoming a coach involves plenty of travel. It can take you around the country and sometimes around the world. That’s part of the job. If Point Park junior and Hampton graduate Mark Shehady is to one day become a coach, he already has that part covered. Shehady, a point guard,...
Hampton girls basketball standout Baker commits to Grove City
The Hampton girls basketball program saw three players move on to college careers when Katie Baker was a sophomore. Now, she will become the first since then to do so. Baker, a 5-foot-9 power forward who led Hampton with nearly 10 rebounds per game, committed this winter to play at...
‘Natural progression’ has Hampton girls on right track
Though the Hampton girls basketball team missed the playoffs this season, its trajectory is on schedule. The Talbots couldn’t get over the hump in a difficult section but finished 7-14, 5-7 Section 2-5A. With one senior starter graduating, Hampton is looking forward to next season. “I’m excited to sit back...
Home-court advantage helps Hampton boys overcome obstacles
Whatever adversity the Hampton boys basketball team faced this season, it can take comfort in there’s no place like home. The Talbots (11-10, 9-5) cruised to an undefeated section record at home, which helped to another WPIAL playoff appearance. Hampton has missed the playoffs once since 2004. “We definitely thrive...
No quit in Hampton hockey team
As the regular season began to wind down, the Hampton hockey team wasn’t eliminated from playoff contention, and no matter the results, the team will always play like it. “Mathematically, I’ve calculated the percentage (of playoff chances),” coach Luke Leya said. “It’s one-hundredth of a chance. But that’s better than...
Realignment marks significant change in fortune for Hampton football
Less than six years ago, Hampton was a good football program. In 2014, the team went 9-2 and won its conference. The next year, it qualified for playoffs again and made a WPIAL quarterfinals appearance. Then expansion and realignment happened, along with some really bad times for the program. “I...
After trying freshman year, Hampton grad Laryn Edwards stepping up for Loyola (Maryland)
Adversity often strikes at the worst times. For former Hampton point guard Laryn Edwards, where WPIAL section titles and state playoff berths seemed to come easy, the road got rough after she committed to Loyola (Maryland). The freshman point guard was hitting her stride last season when a bout of...
Strong leadership puts Hampton spirit squad back on the mat
The Hampton competitive spirit squad has been affected by coaching changes the past two seasons. Last year, it didn’t field a competition team and only cheered at varsity events. But dedication from a strong senior class and a committed new coach, Kathy Long, has the team heading back to nationals....
Hampton girls swim team showing growth
The Hampton girls swim team may not be sending a lot of individuals to WPIALs this year, but the training and hard work have paid off. The team is continually showing growth by posting best times, in addition to qualifying for the WPIAL championships in the 200 medley and 400...
Hampton boys swim team eyes record-breaking season
The Hampton boys swim team is enjoying perhaps its strongest season in recent memory, which could translate to a banner year at WPIALs at North Allegheny in February. The team sits at 4-1, with its only loss being to perennial power North Allegheny. It knocked off Fox Chapel for the...
Hampton wrestlers fight through adversity
The Hampton wrestling team features some of the top individuals in the WPIAL. The goal is to field one of the top teams, too. The Talbots were 5-3, which included a recent 42-37 win over Fox Chapel, despite a depleted roster that leads to forfeits during dual meets. But Hampton’s...
Hampton bowlers get boost from volleyball team
Sometimes all you need is a spark. After spending two years hinging itself to a small group of individuals, the Hampton bowling team has two full squads. New coach Bob Wallace did all the necessary preseason promotions. He hung up a few signs and asked athletic director Bill Cardone to...
Full roster could spell playoffs again for Hampton girls basketball
It might be too early to shout about, but Hampton girls basketball is back at the top of the section. After a four-win season last year following seven consecutive playoff appearances, the team went into the new year 2-0 in its section. That put the team in first place despite...
Big year for Hampton wrestler Ty Kocak includes 100th win, commitment to George Mason
It might seem like ages ago that Ty Kocak wrestled his first match for Hampton. If you see a photo of him from three years ago, it looks like it too. He started at 106 pounds, the lightest weight class. But Kocak kept growing — and so did his win...
Venture continues hockey career at Alabama
Jonathan Venture initially wasn’t looking to play hockey after high school. And when most graduates do, they often don’t look at Alabama. But fate had other plans, and after Venture, who was a three-year letterwinner for the Talbots, enrolled, he saw there was a chance to try out. “It was...
Home cooking helps Talbots boys basketball to strong start
Hampton basketball is off to a hot start — at least in the games that matter. And that can be attributed, in part, to a little bit of home cooking. The team started its first week of section play with section wins over Franklin Regional, Indiana, and Plum — two...
Hampton soccer standout Lanie McLaughlin chooses Youngstown State
It takes a village to raise a good soccer player. Lanie McLaughlin knows this well — and it’s a big reason why she’ll continue her career after high school. Hampton’s senior class was special. It’s the first in recent memory to make the WPIAL playoffs in all four seasons, with...
