Alle-Kiski Valley Campus Clippings: Thimons honored at Westminster

Brayden Thimons, a Highlands graduate and junior defensive lineman at Westminster, earned selection to the All-Presidents Athletic Conference first-team defense after a strong spring season as a pass rusher for the Titans.

In five games, the transfer from Robert Morris led the PAC and tied for second in NCAA Division III in total sacks with 7 1/2. He registered four sacks among 11 tackles overall as Westminster defeated Washington & Jefferson for the PAC championship April 23.

His 8 1/2 tackles for a loss also led the conference, and his 27 total tackles ranked second on the team.

Alex Bellinotti (Shady Side Academy/Lower Burrell)

The Washington & Jefferson sophomore linebacker led the Presidents defense with nine tackles in the 27-20 PAC Championship loss to Westminster. In four games for W&J (3-1), Bellinotti recorded a team-best 29 tackles and 2 1/2 sacks. The 29 tackles ranked ninth in the PAC. For his efforts, he was named to the PAC second-team defense.

Maria Taliani (Deer Lakes)

In a PSAC West game against Edinboro on April 25, Taliani hit a grand slam to help the Gannon softball team to an 11-3 victory. She led the Knights with a .354 average with nine home runs and 28 RBIs in 34 games (22-12) through Wednesday’s doubleheader with Pitt-Johnstown.

Lea Coffman (Burrell)

In that same game with Edinboro, Coffman went 3 for 3 with a home run, three RBIs and a two runs scored. It was her first home run this season. The sophomore third baseman/catcher batted .270 with 12 RBIs though Wednesday’s games.

Cal Fisher (Riverview)

Fisher earned Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association Tournament Most Valuable Player honors after helping the Penn State men’s team win the tournament title April 24. The 6-foot-3 junior outside/opposite hitter tallied a career-best 27 kills to go along with eight digs and a block as the Nittany Lions topped George Mason, 3-1, to earn the EIVA automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Kiera Cutright (Deer Lakes)

The former WPIAL champion captured the 400-meter hurdles at the NAIA River States Conference track and field championships April 23 in Eaton, Ohio. The victory for Cutright helped the Point Park women win their second outdoor championship in team history. She also placed fourth in the 100 hurdles.

Elizabeth Debich (Kiski Area)

The Allegheny senior captured the discus title at the Denison (Ohio) Quad Meet (134 feet, 3 inches) on Friday and the Marty Goldberg Gator Invite (128-7) on April 23. Earlier in the month, Debich picked up North Coast Athletic Conference Field Athlete of the Week honors after winning the shot put, discus and hammer throw in a dual meet with Oberlin.

Sam Casile (Plum)

The sophomore defender/midfielder on the Washington & Jefferson women’s lacrosse team was a defensive stalwart with four ground balls and three caused turnovers in W&J’s 17-12 Presidents Athletic Conference semifinal victory over Franciscan on April 28. Top-seeded W&J (9-0) was slated to face No. 3 Thiel for the PAC title Saturday

Stephanie Pantelas (Kiski Area)

The freshman on the women’s tennis team at Pitt-Greensburg earned All-Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference second-team honors for her play this spring in doubles matches with Baldwin grad Kelsey Murphy. The duo went 3-2 at No. 3 doubles, including a dominant 8-2 win in the Bobcats’ AMCC semifinal win over La Roche on April 24. Pitt-Greensburg finished 6-1 after a close loss to Behrend in the AMCC title game.

Luke Virag (Burrell)

The sophomore outfielder and pitcher on the W&J baseball team went 2 for 4 with a triple and four runs batted in during a 20-6 victory over Franciscan on April 25. He has 12 RBIs in 17 games (11 starts) for the Presidents, who are 27-1 overall and 20-1 in the Presidents Athletic Conference.

Rachael Blackburn (Highlands)

The freshman on the IUP women’s swim team scored points in the 100- and 200-yard breaststrokes and the 200 individual medley and 100 butterfly to help the Crimson Hawks capture the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference women’s team title for the first time since 1999. She took seventh out of 30 in the 100 breast and finished 10th out of 31 in the 200 breast.

Allison DeJidas (Freeport)

The sophomore first baseman and outfielder on the Mercyhurst softball team batted .333 (33 for 99) in 31 games (all starts) through a doubleheader with Cal (Pa.) on April 27. She collected three doubles, seven home runs and 21 RBIs.