Josh Rizzo stories, Page 48
Shaler softball in contention for WPIAL playoff berth
Tom Sorce went into his second year as Shaler Area softball coach knowing the Titans’ offense needed more flair. Packing some power into the bats was a key focus of an off-season training regiment built around strength. Shaler has seven home runs — after only hitting one last season —...
North Allegheny track team builds momentum after invitational success
North Allegheny’s track and field team left quite an impression on the medal stand in the 3,200-meter event at the Lady Spartan/Wildcat Invitational. For the girls’ portion, the Tigers didn’t leave room for many others on the medal stand. Hannah Lindgren, Ally Christy and Jenna Mlecko placed first, second and...
Shaler grad Weaver finds his niche at midfield for Heidelberg
Moving without the ball wasn’t something Liam Weaver ever put a lot of thought into. Making a position change for the Heidelberg (Ohio) men’s lacrosse team this season presented a new line of thinking. After moving from midfield to attack, the sophomore has found a niche for the Student Princes....
Topich continues tradition of strong setters for North Allegheny volleyball
Sava Topich is the latest in a long line of North Allegheny volleyball players tasked with taking over the mantle at a tradition-laden position. But Tigers coach Dan Schall doesn’t expect Topich, a senior setter, to be like AJ Schmidt or MJ Barton. History won’t make this year’s offense go....
Shaler Area girls lacrosse motivated after missing WPIAL playoffs
Having another year together has done the Shaler girls lacrosse program a lot of good. Missing out on a trip to the playoffs helped bring everyone together. “Our biggest strength is teamwork,” Titans coach Ali Nicholas said. “We work well as a team. Last year, a lot of the girls...
Shaler lacrosse team grinds through section play
Ryan Shank doesn’t spend time thinking about being exhausted after Shaler lacrosse matches. Without a deep roster, the Titans’ veterans play long minutes. Shank, a senior defenseman, is no different in that respect. What all Shaler players have developed is an ironman approach. “It’s about having the mentality,” Shank said....
Shaler baseball team already prepping for playoff chase
There will be no break for the Shaler baseball team this season. Before entering Section 2-5A play last Monday against Moon, Titans coach Brian Junker wanted to prepare his players for what would be a tight playoff chase. During a five-game stretch to open the season, Shaler took on three...
NA boys lacrosse relies on each player bringing own personality
Matt Osten and the North Allegheny boys lacrosse team have a strong baseline to guide them. The Tigers’ system provides a solid foundation for an offensive attack. Making North Allegheny’s attack special relies on each player bringing his own personality. No two players approach each situation the same way. During...
North Allegheny girls lacrosse gets defensive in season-opening win
North Allegheny girls lacrosse coach Harry Datz didn’t need much time to diagnosis what made the Tigers’ offense more potent. Behind seven goals from Old Dominion recruit Brooke Ferringer, the Tigers opened the season with a 19-9 win over Franklin Regional in their season opener. It was the most goals...
Small, young Shaler Area volleyball team adapts scheme to find success
Trapper Crain knows the Shaler boys volleyball team isn’t likely to overpower opponents. The 5-foot-10 junior outside hitter wants the Titans to set the pace. For Shaler to extend its streak of making the WPIAL playoffs to a third year, the Titans plan on moving quickly. “During preseason, we did...
Shaler Area’s Kalbaugh sets sights on another trip to state championships
Shaler junior Dalton Kalbaugh is in position to make his accomplishments a seasonal affair. Heading into the outdoor track season, Kalbaugh will try to be the only member of the Titans’ track and field team to reach states in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track. Kalbaugh qualified for the...
Shaler Area softball makes move to Class 5A
Tom Sorce didn’t want any hopeful Shaler softball players doomed by the pressure of a 72-hour performance. The second-year coach let all 36 players who tried out know conditioning and weightlifting would be a part of the process. Sorce said he felt people bought in. “That was the extraordinary part,”...
Shaler Area notes: Unified bocce team competes at state competition
The Shaler unified bocce team wrapped up its season last Wednesday at the state championships in Hershey. The Titans lost their two matches in pool play to North Penn Liberty and Henderson. “The experience at states was a thrill for athletes, partners and families,” Shaler coach Gina Chmielewski said. “We...
Sophomore Szazynski bolsters Shaler Area tennis lineup
Participating in tennis in some form was always a likely choice for Shaler sophomore Cam Szazynski. Szazynski enjoys watching Rafael Nadal, viewing matches on television and keeping up with old and new players. Pedigree also had something to do with Szazynski picking up the sport about two years ago. “My...
Shaler boys basketball hopes standard set continues in future
Rob Niederberger does everything possible to get the Shaler boys basketball team exposure to different styles during the summer. That strategy helped the Titans make their first appearance in the PIAA playoffs in seven years an eventful one. Shaler took District 10 champion Meadville down to the wire before losing...
North Allegheny seniors bow out in 2nd round of states
Shots didn’t fall for North Allegheny girls basketball in the second round of the PIAA Class 6A playoffs. While the lack of offense led to a 41-32 defeat against defending state champion Upper Dublin last Tuesday at Chambersburg, it didn’t change much for the Tigers. North Allegheny, which led its...
Shaler Area notebook: Lynch returns to Wheeling Nailers
Former Shaler hockey standout Zac Lynch is headed back to the ECHL’s Wheeling Nailers. Lynch was recently released following a six-game stint in the AHL on a professional tryout contract with the New York Ranger affiliate Hartford Wolf Pack. Hartford released Lynch on March 5 after he recorded seven shots...
Shaler Area unified bocce team advances to state championships
James Bernick, a freshman at Slippery Rock, joined the Shaler unified bocce team during its first season last year with an eye on the future. Bernick liked the values sports can teach and wanted to focus on getting a teaching degree with an emphasis in special education. The Titans didn’t...
North Catholic girls roll past Central Valley to win 19th WPIAL championship
Everything played out according to “the script,” according to North Catholic girls basketball coach Molly Rottmann. By taking down Central Valley, 75-57, on Friday night at Pitt’s Petersen Events Center, the Trojanettes won their third straight WPIAL Class 4A title and 19th in the school’s history. Carrying the weight of...
Shaler’s Sullivan perseveres for final victory
Ryan Sullivan’s final performance as a Shaler wrestler was heart-wrenching and dramatic. Fifteen seconds into his 120-pound Section 3-AAA championship match against Pine-Richland’s Kelin Laffey at Fox Chapel, Sullivan broke his hand. “He gutted it out,” Titans coach Drew D’Agostino said. The defending state champion and Pitt recruit found a...
Shaler’s Mbalo breaks school record in season finale
Cam Mbalo made sure the Shaler track and field team received one more accolade before the season ended. With a leap of 45 feet, 9 inches, Mbalo broke his own school triple-jump record and set a personal best to land on the medal stand with a seventh-place finish at the...
Garvey’s standout performance helps lift North Allegheny gymnasts
Reyna Garvey’s WPIAL gymnastic routine was a collaborative effort. The North Allegheny freshman had to execute all of the tricks but wasn’t alone when it came to preparation. “I would write down the skills I have, what I need to add and what might look better for the judges,” Garvey...
Record-setting Shaler swimmers headed for WPIALs
Shaler swimming coach Keith Simmons wanted every opportunity for his athletes to qualify for the WPIAL Class AAA swimming championships. Going to the last-ditch meet at North Allegheny was an opportunity to try to get a few kids through to swim at Pitt’s Trees Hall. Lydia Nebiolo, Isabella Cercone, Jenna...
Shaler boys break through with playoff win vs. McKeesport
Navigating the regular season is a grind. So is finding a path through the WPIAL Class 5A boys basketball playoffs, Shaler coach Rob Niederberger said. However, Shaler extended its postseason stay by toppling McKeesport, 76-60, on Feb. 18. It was the Titans’ first playoff win since 2012. Shaler played defending...
Fast start leads Duquesne past George Washington
Sincere Carry knocked down a 3-pointer, grabbed the gray waistband on his red shorts before giving his hips a swivel near midcourt. The Duquesne freshman point guard let everyone know 91 seconds into Saturday’s game at Palumbo Center that it wasn’t going to be a typical Dukes game. “The dance...
