SPOTLIGHT SHINES ON MT. LEBANON’S ROY AND CALIFORNIA’S QUALK
Contents
From the editor
Year of success left us wanting more
The uniforms have been turned in. The equipment has been packed away until next year. The offseason programs have started.
Another high school sports season has drawn to a close.
Chris Dugan
The 2024-25 year was a good one, memorable in many ways. There were championships to celebrate, top-notch athletes to follow and interesting storylines that kept us engaged and on the edge of our seat.
It was a good year at South Fayette, where the girls basketball team won a state championship and ended a run of domination by teams in the eastern half of the state. And at Peters Township, where the girls golf team repeated as state champion in a playoff that was filled with tension and drama. And at Mt. Lebanon, where Sylvia Roy swam like she had an outboard motor attached to her legs. And at California, where Lee Qualk ran over and around tacklers on the football field and leaped past all competitors in the long jump pit.
Roy and Qualk both won gold on the local, WPIAL and PIAA levels, and as a result they were named the Female and Male Athlete of the Year, respectively, in this joint publication, Best of Sports, which includes the coverage area of the Observer-Reporter and The Almanac
Yet while 2024-25 was a good sports year, it left us wanting more. Hold your thumb and index finger about an inch apart. That’s how close 2024-25 was to being a great year.
Even at South Fayette, the state champion girls basketball team has to be wanting more. The Lions surely would like to replay the final 16 minutes of a loss to Peters Township in the WPIAL Class 5A championship game. The Lions couldn’t protect a halftime lead and it led to their only loss to an opponent from Pennsylvania and a missing piece of hardware in the trophy case. The Lions avenged the setback in the
state semifinals.
When mentioning being “this close” you can’t overlook the South Fayette hockey, which lost the Penguins Cup championship game to Seneca Valley in three overtimes.
At Peters Township, the Indians had a great year with the comeback win over South Fayette that netted a WPIAL championship. A PIAA gold trophy is what would have turned a very good season into a great one.
The boys soccer players at Bentworth know how the Peters Township girls basketball team feels. The Bearcats rolled through the season undefeated, winning a thrilling penalty kicks shootout in the WPIAL championship match, and reached the PIAA finals for the first time in school history. A 1-0 loss in overtime was the difference between silver and gold for Bentworth. Still, the Bearcats’ breakthrough season will be a lasting memory.
At Fort Cherry, there was the thrill of victory in the WPIAL Class A football championship game. An epic late-fourth-quarter touchdown drive was capped by an improbable touchdown pass that beat Clairton. But the Rangers’ pursuit of that elusive PIAA championship ended the next weekend in the state semifinals.
The Fort Cherry 400-meter relay team was the defending state champion. The Rangers didn’t have the best seed time in the district this spring, but the Rangers sped past the competition at the WPIAL Championships and won gold for the second year in a row. Their bid for a second consecutive PIAA gold medal ended when a baton pass was made outside the designated zone and they were disqualified. It was “this close.”
There were other “this close” misses. For example, the Upper St. Clair girls basketball team made it to the state finals and the Chartiers Valley boys basketball team advanced to the state semifinals. And the Chartiers-Houston softball that
had the misfortune of moving up in classification to Double-A this year, where it ran into a Neshannock juggernaut that has won 100 of its last 101 games, including ones over the Bucs in the WPIAL finals and PIAA semifinals.
And in Class A softball, Carmichaels steamrolled all of its opponents until it suddenly stopped hitting, and scoring, in the WPIAL finals and PIAA opening round. Just like that, the season was over for the Mikes.
And then there is the story of the Peters Township boys golf team. The Indians were so good in the regular season that it seemed, judging by their scores, as if they were playing only seven holes while their opponents were playing nine. Then, in one rough day for the Indians on the links-style course at Indian Run, PT’s pursuit of a second consecutive state championship came to an abrupt end in the WPIAL semifinals. Nobody could have foreseen that happening.
Those stories, along with many others, left us wanting more in 202425. Yet that is why we love sports. They are unpredictable. Nothing can be taken for granted. Championships are hard to win. That’s why they should be celebrated.
And those teams and individuals that settle for silver or bronze, or put together lengthy winning streaks, or play key roles in landmark seasons, should be proud of their accomplishments. Doing your job to the best of your ability doesn’t always lead to championships, but it does go a long way in life. And the memories rarely fade.
Those of us who put together Best of Sports, including Almanac sports editor Eleanor Bailey, O-R sportswriter Jerin Steele, photographer Mark Marietta and Uniontown Herald-Standard sportswriter Jonathan Guth, enjoyed chronicling your stories this year.
Team of the Year
South Fayette girls basketball 2025 PIAA Class 5A champions Lions roar
Members of the South Fayette girls basketball team celebrate with the championship trophy in March after defeating Archbishop Wood, 45-37, in the PIAA Class 5A title game at the Giant Center in Hershey. The win capped a 29-2 season for the Lions.
Girls soccer
MVP Mia Deramo South Fayette
Mia Deramo gave one of her teammates a piggyback ride off the Highmark Stadium field back on Nov. 2, 2024. It was a fitting gesture because she had carried South Fayette to its second straight WPIAL championship.
During a 4-0 triumph against Fox Chapel in the Class 3A final, Deramo scored twice in the contest. The junior midfielder tallied her first goal in the 12th minute. She gathered in a bobbled ball in the box and deposited it into the back of the net for the only goal the Lions would need to repeat as district winners. Deramo also scored again in the 63rd minute when she converted a penalty kick to finalize the outcome.
“Mia’s an exceptional player,” said SF head coach Nick Rosser.
“She eats this stuff up. She loves to compete, embraces playing on this level and handles the pressure well.”
During her first foray into a high-pressured situation, Deramo responded in a similar fashion. In double overtime, she scored the Golden Gold that toppled Moon, 1-0, for the 2023 Class 3A championship.
An all-section and all-WPIAL performer, Deramo scored 16 goals and dished up 16 assists in leading the Lions to a 20-4 record. The Lions also had an undefeated section title and earned a state playoff berth, reaching the PIAA quarterfinals after blanking Dubois, 5-0,
in the tournament opener.
When she is not playing for the Lions, Deramo excels at the Pittsburgh Riverhounds Academy, where her teams travel throughout the United States competing in tournaments.
Deramo is committed to Youngstown State.
HONOREES
Lilly Bane senior Canon-McMillan
Freya Blatz senior Bethel Park
Amelia Brose junior Chartiers-Houston
Ava Capozzoli senior Chartiers-Houston
Callee DalBon junior Bethel Park
Natalia DiSora junior Upper St. Clair
Sierra Dupre junior Upper St. Clair
Cam Friday junior Upper St. Clair
Marina Hajnosz sophomore Peters Township
Madelyn Johns sophomore Bentworth
Megan Keturakis sophomore Bentworth
Camryn Klein senior Peters Township
Molly Kubistek junior Peters Township
Paige Malley senior Peters Township
Taylor McCullough freshman Peters Township
Mary McElhattan senior Mt. Lebanon
Abby Spalla sophomore South Fayette
Tessa Peer senior Mt. Lebanon
Ellie Shanholtzer senior Peters Township
Caitlyn Thompson junior South Fayette
Emilee Tonkovich senior Canon-McMillan
Jaden Tretinik senior Waynesburg
Boys soccer
MVP Ryan Moessner Bentworth
In recent years, the Bentworth boys soccer team has been on the verge of something big. The Bearcats finally had the breakthrough year in 2024.
Bentworth went undefeated during the regular season and won its first section title since 2021.
The Bearcats didn’t stop there.
Given the No. 1 seed in the WPIAL Class A playoffs, Bentworth rolled to the WPIAL finals, where it defeated Our Lady of the Scared Heart in an epic penalty kicks shootout (5-4).
The Bearcats didn’t stop there.
They defeated Westmont Hilltop (1-0), Mecryhurst Prep (1-0) and McConnellsburg (2-0) to reach the state finals for the first time in program history. The Bearcats dropped a 1-0 overtime decision to Lancaster Mennonite in the PIAA championship game. It was the only loss for Bentworth all season as they finished with a 22-1 record.
There was plenty of talent on the Bearcats’ roster, but the hub of the attack was junior Ryan Moessner, who
had a stellar season, leading the WPIAL in scoring.
Moessner who is one of the Bentworth captains, scored 45 goals this past season and has 88 in his career. He has been simply too much for opponents to handle.
The striker scored the lone goal in the Bearcats’ triumph over Mercyhurst Prep. Then, in the next round, Moessner scored a goal, on a penalty kick, that clinched the 2-0 win over District 5 champion McConnellsburg and put Bentworth in the state finals for the first time in school history.
Bentworth averaged more than seven goals per contest in the regular season and 5.7 in their first three postseason matches, then proved they could win with defense, too.
Moessner is a member of the Century club program. The majority of collegiate players are recruited during matches, showcases and tournaments with their club teams and Moessner would like to continue playing soccer in college.
HONOREES
Liam Burlovic senior Upper St. Clair
Caden Hensler senior Peters Township
Jacob Higgs senior Upper St. Clair
Dylan Klingler senior Charleroi
Trevor Kovatch senior Belle Vernon
Adam Kuchera junior Canon-McMillan
John Krug senior Chartiers Valley
Adam Moessner sophomore Bentworth
Andy Palm senior Trinity
Gavin Patterson junior Canon-McMillan
Ryan Torboli senior Trinity
Parker Weiss senior Peters Township
Boys/girls lacrosse
BOYS MVP Drew Welhorsky, South Fayette
With one year remaining, Drew Welhorsky of South Fayette is well on his way to becoming the most renowned lacrosse player with multiple scholarship offers in the district. That is if he decides to focus on that sport alone. Heading into his senior year this fall, he’s also an established quarterback in football.
Last autumn, Welhorsky helped the Lions to six consecutive wins and a berth in the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs. He passed for 1,695 yards and 14 touchdowns but also added 850 yards rushing and 12 more scores.
However, Welhorsky has established himself among the elite on the lacrosse field. After three years, he sits at 359 career points. That’s only 20 points behind Enzo Grieco, who led Mars to WPIAL and PIAA titles before moving on to Penn State after graduating in 2024. Welhorsky also has racked up 209 career goals to go along with 150 assists.
“I truly believe Drew is the best lacrosse player in Western Pennsylvania,” said South Fayette head coach Shawn Leydig.
Welhorsky certainly proved that this spring. He was named the WPIAL’s Player of the Year in Class 2A.
During the 2025 campaign, he tallied 80 goals and racked up 69 assists.
“Drew is a complete player. …He’s had just as many assists as he has goals,” Leydig said. “His patience with the ball and ability to read a defense are incredible. He’s a really good lacrosse player and even better in the character department.”
Welhorsky led the Lions to an undefeated section title. They were unbeaten until the district finals, a 7-5 loss to Mars where Welhorsky scored a hat trick and added an assist. The Lions finished 20-2 overall after a loss to Camp Hill Trinity in the state quarterfinals. In that 14-8 defeat, Welhorsky finished with four goals and two assists.
GIRLS MVP
Quinn Murdoch Mt. Lebanon
Only a junior, Quinn Murdoch of Mt. Lebanon has developed into an all-around player on the lacrosse field.
“She is the most well-rounded player,” said Blue Devils coach Brian Kattan. “She is not only a great offensive player but the best defensive midfielder in the WPIAL. She doesn’t just lead the team in goals but leads in assists also.”
This spring, Murdoch tallied 51 goals and dished up 37 assists. For her career, she has totaled 147 goals and 73 assists.
Murdoch’s abilities were not just measured statistically. As a three-
year starter and a veteran of last year’s championship club, she guided the youthful Blue Devils back to the title match where they upended top-seeded Pine-Richland, 15-14, in the WPIAL Class 3A finals. Murdoch notched a hat trick in the win, which came on the heels of another upset win, 12-9, against No. 2 Upper St. Clair. In that semifinal contest, Murdoch racked up six goals, including the game winner.
The Blue Devils finished 14-5 overall after a 14-5 loss to Bishop Shanahan in the PIAA quarterfinals. Murdoch supplied two goals.
“It is so tough to put into words what Quinn means to the team,” Kattan said. “She is such a great leader on and off the field along with being our best player.
“Quinn is also our most unselfish player. She wants everyone to get playing experience in games that are decided. She will never put herself about the team.”
Murdoch collected her share of postseason accolades. She earned all-section and all-WPIAL laurels along with USA All-American recognition. Murdoch is a University of Cincinnati recruit.
MVP Matt Sieg, Fort Cherry
Matt Sieg joined some elite company this season in surpassing 4,000 career yards in both passing and rushing.
The Fort Cherry junior joined former Jeannette star Terrelle Pryor as the only players in WPIAL to reach both marks. Pryor went on to play at Ohio State and Sieg will be playing for one of the Buckeyes’ biggest rivals in Penn State. He committed to the Nittany Lions in November.
Sieg helped lead Fort Cherry to its second straight and WPIAL championship in a 21-20 victory over Clairton in the Class A title game.
Sieg is proud of the season, but still has one more box to check off on his goal sheet: a state championship. The Rangers lost their WPIAL Class A semifinal to District 9 champion Port Allegany, 46-8. Fort Cherry lost in the state
final during Sieg’s sophomore year.
“It’s an honor to get those awards and milestones, and I’m grateful, but I don’t play for it,” Sieg said. “I would take a state title over it, 100 percent. I want to focus on doing what’s best for our team.”
Sieg put up solid numbers this season, passing for 1,350 yards and 20 touchdowns and rushing for 1,840 yards and scoring 32 TDs. He broke his right thumb the first game of the season and wasn’t able to throw for about In his career, Sieg has passed for 4,242 yards and rushed for 6,212 yards with 129 total touchdowns. Despite his offensive prowess, Sieg is going to play on defense at safety for the Nittany Lions. He made 50 tackles (23 solo) and had four interceptions this year. Sieg returned a punt for a touchdown and also did the punting for the Rangers.
HONOREES
Nick Courie senior Peters Township
Shane Cornali senior Fort Cherry
Anthony Crews senior Belle Vernon
Julian Dahlem senior Upper St. Clair
Nolan DiLucia junior Peters Township
Houston Guesman senior Jefferson-Morgan
Reston Lehman junior Peters Township
Nick McCullough senior Peters Township
Matt McMahon senior Canon-McMillan
JaVaughn Moore senior Bethel Park
Clancey Orie senior Bethel Park
Ryan Petras senior Bethel Park
Tanner Pfeuffer senior Bethel Park
Lee Qualk senior California
T.J. Sabatucci junior Canon-McMillan
Noah Scaerli senior Mt. Lebanon
Patrick Smith senior Mt. Lebanon
Jake Stephenson senior Waynesburg
Nate Stohl senior Upper St. Clair
Mickey Vaccarello senior Peters Township
Drew Welhorsky junior South Fayette
Jonah Williamson junior Trinity
Field hockey MVP Anna Kokoszynski Peters Township
Peters Township won its third WPIAL field hockey title in school history this fall and Anna Kokoszynski played a pivotal role in the Indians success. She scored a goal in the 3-0 triumph against Fox Chapel in the Class 2A championship contest played Nov. 2 at Cameron Stadium.
Peters Township finished 16-4 overall after falling to Hershey, 5-0, in the first round of the PIAA Championships. The Indians were section champions with an 11-1 record.
Kokoszynski scored 31 career goals and contributed 10 assists. During last fall’s championship season, the recent graduate racked up 13 goals and supplied four assists. She earned All-WPIAL honors for four years, the last two as a first-team selection.
“Anna had an incredible senior season,” said PT head coach Kelly Meenan. “Her passion for the sport and competitive nature made her both a joy to coach and exciting to watch.
“As our center mid (fielder) and senior captain, she’s been a relentless force on the field— aggressive, composed, and tireless,” Meenan continued. “Her leadership and grit helped drive us to a WPIAL championship, and her ability to control the game, especially during corners, made her indispensable.”
Kokoszynski also played crucial roles in her many endeavors at Peters Township. She was a high school ambassador, a Spanish Club board member and a junior board member for the Miracle League organization. Kokoszynski maintained a 4.0 GPA in the classroom and was a member of the National Honor Society. In addition to earning four varsity letters in field hockey, she played three seasons with the Venom Field Hockey Club and four years of varsity lacrosse, earning all-section, second-team laurels this spring.
Kokoszynski will attend Auburn University in the fall.
Hockey MVP Robert Chiappetta, South Fayette
Edmonton’s Connor McDavid is considered the best playmaker in the NHL, but Robert Chiappetta garners that distinction at the scholastic level.
Although South Fayette moved up a classification this winter, Chiappetta managed to lead the PIHL in scoring for the second year in a row. His 23 assists and 32 points were tops in Class 3A in 2025. His 38 assists led Class 2A in 2024.
Though Chiappetta scored nine goals in the regular season, he came
on strong in the playoffs. He had two goals and four assists in three postseason games to advance the Lions to the Penguins Cup finals. His goal with 1:11 remaining in regulation tied the championship contest against Seneca Valley. The Raiders went on to beat the Lions for the title, but not after 38 minutes and 31 seconds of overtime.
During a regular season meeting between the teams, Chiappetta had a goal and two assists in a 4-3 victory. He also scored two goals and added an
Boys tennis
Max Henson,Belle Vernon MVP
Max Henson is 1-for-1 in state tournaments.
The Belle Vernon junior won all four of his matches in straight sets to win the PIAA Class 2A boys singles tennis championship in May at the Hershey Racquet Club.
Henson was playing in his first state tournament in his first season competing at the high school level, but he is no stranger to the sport, as he has been playing for 12 years.
The Leopards don’t have a tennis team, but Henson won WPIAL and state titles this year.
Henson plays tournaments all year long, but to be recognized as the best in the state was a proud moment for the Cleveland State commit.
“It is pretty cool to win
a pretty prestigious tournament,” Henson said.
“I’m glad that I was able to bring home a state championship for the town and community. I’m pleased to be able to represent Belle Vernon in a positive way.” Henson lost a total of
assist in a PIHL semifinal win against North Allegheny at the RMU Island Sports Complete.
Chiappetta earned PIHL all-star acclaim and was ranked among western Pennsylvania’s Top 30 players of 2024-25.
A three-year contributor, Chiappetta supplied six goals and had 10 assists as the Lions captured the 2023 Penguin Cup and battled Pennsbury for the state title. South Fayette lost to Penn-Trafford, 4-3, in the first round of the PIHL playoffs 2024.
eight games in Hershey, which started with a 6-0, 6-0 victory over Rowan Bayley from Camp Hill Trinity in the round of 16. Henson's closest match was a 6-2, 6-2 triumph over Bishop Shanahan’s Daniel Gallagher in the quarterfinals.
Henson topped Saucon Valley senior Deven Pandey, 6-1, 6-0, before downing another senior in a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Carver Engineering and Science’s Samir Roberts-Mouzon in the final.
“I didn’t change much in this tournament,” Henson said. “I know it’s cliche, but I just played my game. Tennis is super mental, so you really have to be mentally tough, especially when your match isn’t going so well.”
Girls track & field
Sadie Tomczyk, Upper St. Clair and Delaney Schumaker, South Fayette C0-MVPs
The only way to distinguish between Sadie Tomczyk of Upper St. Clair and Delaney Schumaker from South Fayette is by the events in which they participate.
For when it comes to track and field, the juniors are both fast and champions though they dominate in different disciplines – Tomczyk in the sprints and Schumaker in the hurdles.
During the WPIAL Class 3A Championships held May 14 at Slippery Rock University, Tomczyk and Schumaker were champions in two events. Both went on to earn two medals at the PIAA Championships held May 23-24 at Shippensburg University.
At states, Tomczyk finished fifth in the 100-meter dash in 12.17 and followed with fourth place in the 200 in 24.89. Amirah Nesmith from Cheltenham won both races. Her 100 time of 11.69 qualified her for the NFHS honor roll.
Tomczyk won in gritty fashion at the district championships.
At states, Schumaker finished fifth in the 100 hurdles in 14.39. She added seventh in the 300 in 44.95. Ella Bahn from Spring Grove won both events with times that were good enough to qualify for the National Federation High School honor roll.
At the WPIAL Championships, Schumaker finished first in the 100 meters as well as the 300 intermediate hurdles.
While she ran a “near perfect” race in winning the 100 in 14.45, 0.17 ahead of Norwin’s Brandi Brozeski, Schumaker needed a strong finish to overtake Pine-Richland’s Abby Satina in the final 10 meters. Schumaker finished in 43.13 seconds, 0.25 seconds ahead of Satina. She also anchored South Fayette’s 4x800 relay to a silver medal.
After winning the 100-meter dash in 12.25 seconds, she dug deep and edged rival Gabrielle Layne of Plum for the gold medal in the 200. Tomczyk clocked a 25.13 time, a scant 0.10 ahead of Layne. She also anchored USC’s 4x100 relay to a bronze medal.
Boys track & field
Lee Qualk,California MVP
California’s senior long jumper soared nearly 23 feet through the air to win the state championship in Class 2A at the PIAA Championships at Seth Grove Stadium on the campus of Shippensburg University.
Qualk’s official mark was 22-10.50, which he hit on his sixth and final attempt of his high school career.
“I couldn’t have been happier to have my last jump be my best,” Quake said. “It started pouring down rain going into the finals and I was soaked. People were talking about how nobody was going to PR (personal record) and whatever jumps we had in the prelims were going to be our best jumps of the day.”
Qualk is the first male in the history of California track and field to win a state title.
“It is an amazing feeling to be in the history books as the first male to win a state championship at California,” Qualk said. “It was great to be able to represent
our school. People would see me jump and ask where our school is. I have been looking at the gold medal a lot. … It is a dream come true.”
Qualk entered this season as the reigning WPIAL champion, but he didn’t have a satisfying performance in the state meet as a junior.
Qualk’s moment that started the rumblings he could win the state championship in the long jump began when he jumped a personal record of 23-5.50 to win the Baldwin Invitational on May 2.
Qualk defeated some of the top Class 3A jumpers at Baldwin.
“It was definitely an exciting moment to win at the Baldwin Invitational,”
Qualk said. “I look up to those guys that jump in Class 3A. I love the camaraderie that comes with track and field. There is no dirty play or hard feelings. Everybody wants to give it their all to win, but we still cheer each other on throughout the competition.”
Boys/girls golf BOYS MVP Colton Lusk, Peters Township
The motto for the Peters Township golf team is P.A.R., which stands for Performance, Academics and Responsibility. For four years, Colton Lusk has been the face of that axiom.
On the golf course, Lusk has achieved excellence. He won the WPIAL Class 3A boys championship last fall. The senior shot a 4-under-par 71 on the fabled Oakmont Country Club course on Oct. 1 to seal the title. He shot a 74 in the first round of the competition played at Southpointe Golf Club. Lusk then went on to finish tied for fifth place during the PIAA Championships held Oct. 21-22 at Penn State. He shot a 67-72-139.
Lusk has served as captain of the team for three seasons. He led the Indians to an undefeated regular season last fall and a section title. In 2023, he guided Peters Township to WPIAL and PIAA team championships.
Lusk garnered all-section, all-WPIAL and all-state accolades three years in a row. Additionally, he owns school records for nine-hole round lowest score, lowest single-season scoring average and lowest career scoring average.
Lusk, who maintained a 4.7 GPA in the classroom, recently was named one of the WPIAL 20 scholar-athletes. In being named a James Collins Scholar-Athlete Award winner, Lusk earned a $1,000 stipend to attend the college of their choice. He will golf at Siena College.
In addition to golf, Lusk was a twoyear member of the National Honor
Society and an assistant coach at the KJGA Golf Academy. He was selected to attend a leadership summit at the Heinz History Center.
Lusk also volunteers at church, the animal shelter and during food and coat drives.
HONOREES
Sam
GIRLS MVP Ellie Benson, Peters Township
It was another record-breaking season for the Peters Township girls golf team and at the center of that success was Ellie Benson.
For the second year in a row, the junior led the Indians to a PIAA championship, not to mention a sixth straight section title and third straight WPIAL title.
Benson did so in dramatic fashion. By sinking a seven-foot putt for birdie, Benson sealed Peters Township’s victory over Manheim Township in the state’s Class 3A team tournament played Oct. 23 on the White Course at Penn State University. The two rival squads were tied at 227 before the four-hole playoff and Benson had carded a 75 during regulation.
“Ellie puts so much time into practicing her putting for this exact moment,” said PT head coach Mike Lacey. “Her practice paid off.”
Benson’s efforts also paid off in the way of an individual WPIAL title.
During the final round of the Class 3A championships held at Butler Country Club, she shot a 3-over-par 74. That score combined with her first-round showing of 75 at Willowbrook Golf Course provided Benson with the winning edge. Her 149 total was eight strokes ahead of Elizabeth-Forward’s Mya Morgan, who won the title last year. Pine-Richland’s Siena Smith placed third, nine shots behind Benson, who went on to place seventh in the individual state championships with a 72-76-148 score.
During the WPIAL Class 3A team championships, Benson played a fairly even round, 37 out and 39 in. Her low score of 76 enabled the Indians to secure their third straight title. They compiled a 317 team score and outdistanced North Allegheny by 36 strokes to win the Class 3A championship at Cedarbrook Golf Course.
HONOREES
Competitive spirit TEAM OF THE YEAR South Fayette
The South Fayette Cheer Team cemented its place in school district history by winning the Class 3A championship trophy during the WPIAL Competitive Spirit Championships held Jan. 4 at Hempfield Area High School. The Lions won the small squad division as well as the overall championship with a 92.5 score and beating North Allegheny, which won the large division with an 89.9 score.
The Class 3A small varsity division, which saw Penn-Trafford as its runner-up and fourth overall, featured seven additional teams – Thomas Jefferson, Plum, Mars, Bethel Park, Upper St. Clair, West Allegheny, and Penn Hills.
South Fayette previously won the small varsity division in 2014 at Class 2A, and 2021 at Class 3A before this year’s triumph.
This two-time state champion team went on to claim runner-up honors in the PIAA competition held Jan. 30-31 at Santander Arena in Reading. The Lions also took third in the country at the National High School Cheerleading Cham-
pionship held in February in Orlando, Fla.
"This team of girls put in the work,” said head coach Maggie Conoscuito.
“They worked so hard at every practice and it paid off for them in a big way. We have come so close to winning gold a few times at WPIALs, but to finally win is the best feeling.
"I could not be more proud of the way they have represented South Fayette, and I am so glad we can finally add a WPIAL trophy to the case at the high school."
Members of the competitive spirit team, which also cheers at football and basketball games, included: Kaitlyn Kovatch, Ava Lyons, Lola Muraco, Lily Nason, Allie Petter, Piper Sanders, Tessa Schwarzmiller, Kira Bickel, Mara Bradley, Ava Cestra, Lindsay Cole, Tori D’Alessandro, Adeline DeWitt, Camryn Hondru and Alexa Kerrigan.
Additional coaches include: Elizabeth Frambes, Kelsey Deutsch and Amanda Furguiele.
Here for game day & every day.
Girls wrestling
MVP Marlee Solomon Canon-McMillan
Marlee Solomon’s first season of high school wrestling in Pennsylvania surely was one to remember.
Coming to Pennsylvania from the state of California, Solomon didn’t exactly know what to expect when it came to the girls wrestling scene, but she adapted quickly.
Solomon won the 112-pound state title in Hershey with a 14-0 major decision over Conneaut’s Daylee Wilson in the championship match.
It concluded a season in which she went 39-3 and also won a WPIAL championship.
Solomon was the only girl from the WPIAL to win a state title and is the second girl in the twoyear history to do so from Canon-McMillan, joining Valarie Solorio, who’s now wrestling in college at Iowa.
She did so by going 4-0 in the tournament. There was adversity in the semifinals when she took
a kick to the stomach by Brashear’s Tamara Humphries but shook it off and finished off an 11-0 major decision.
In the final against Wilson, she controlled the match from start to finish.
Solomon wrestled at four different weight classes this year, 112, 115, 118 and 124. Some wrestlers will choose a weight in individual tournaments that give them the best path to medal, but Solomon decided she wanted to wrestle at 112 because she felt some of the best competition would be
HONOREES
there. The matchups she wanted didn’t come to fruition.
Solomon is the second state champion in her family. Her mother, Daneen, won a state title in California in 1997. They were the same age and wrestled in the exact same weight class when each won their respective title.
Solomon started wrestling in 7th grade in California, where girls wrestling is much more established compared to Pennsylvania.
Alexia Ashby junior Trinity
Elaina Ashby junior Trinity
Yuni Ayala sophomore Canon-McMillan
Abigal Dolanch sophomore Avella
Liliana Giulianelli sophomore Peters Township
Evangeline Gray senior Canon-McMillan
Paige Jox junior Mt. Lebanon
Malia Ramos sophomore Canon-McMillan
Natalie Rush senior Canon-McMillan
Virginia Smith sophomore Avella
Grace Tasman freshman Upper St. Clair
Rhiana Tolliver junior Ringgold
Boys wrestling MVP Elijah Brown Belle Vernon
No one would have blamed Elijah Brown if he did a backflip or pointed to those in the crowd that supported him.
But the humility that Brown showed in victory is what made the Belle Vernon junior’s state championship even more impressive.
Brown won a 4-3 decision over Kiski’s Cooper Roscosky in the Class 3A finals at 215 pounds to not only win his first PIAA title, but give the Leopards program a much-deserved championship after it fell
just short, and at times in heartbreaking fashion, of winning a state title.
Brown’s championship gave him a season record of 48-1.
“I have never really been someone to showboat,” said Brown after his victory over Roscosky.
“However, after we left the arena and went to dinner, I was able to celebrate with my coaches, and family and friends. It feels awesome to win my first state championship and get one for Belle Vernon. We were joking about me breaking
HONOREES
Drake McClure Bentworth
the Belle Vernon curse.'”
The Pitt commit’s lone setback this season came to Ringgold’s Jake Conroy, on Jan. 22 in a dual meet. Brown jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first period, and increased his advantage to 8-0 in the second, but Conroy rallied for a 14-10 decision in double overtime.
Brown avenged that loss in the section finals with a technical fall, and also won two more times in the series, including a 6-3 decision in the state semifinals.
(133, 10, 46-10)
Owen Ivcic Bentworth (160, 11, 47-6)
Mason Wright Beth-Center (133, 11, 42-16)
Collier Hartman Canon-McMillan (133, 11, 48-8)
Braedon Welsh Fort Cherry (215, 12, 48-2)
Lucas Barr McGuffey (139, 11, 50-6)
Nicholas McGarrity Peters Township (107, 10, 44-5)
Darius McMillon Peters Township (152, 12, 53-9)
Jake Conroy Ringgold (215, 12, 39-7)
Dom Canali Trinity (127, 11, 47-8)
T.J. Allison Trinity (139, 12, 32-6)
Colin Whyte West Greene (285, 11, 48-7)
Ella Richey capped off a historic career at Chartiers-Houston by setting the state’s all-time record for home runs in a career. She finished with 43 career homers and helped the Bucs reach the WPIAL Class 2A championship game and the PIAA semifinals this spring.
The 43rd and final career homer was a pretty good one to go out on.
In the Bucs’ PIAA first round game at Cranberry, Richey hit a game-altering grand slam in the top of the 7th inning.
Chartiers-Houston trailed 1-0 entering the seventh and were down to their final three outs before the rally. The Bucs went on to win, 5-1.
Richey described the homer as the most significant of her career.
“It's definitely the most special one,” Richey said. “If we lost that game our season was over and this program, the girls on the team and the coaches, mean a lot to me.
“I was just looking for something over the plate that I could put a good swing on. “It felt good off the bat and I knew it had a chance.”
Richey was the leadoff hitter, giving the
Softball
MVP Ella Richey, Chartiers-Houston HONOREES
Bucs an instant threat at the top of the order and was the team’s catcher. She formed a dynamic duo with battery
Saving’s
mate and good friend, Bucs pitcher Meadow Ferri.
Richey finishes her career with one WPIAL championship and consecutive trips to the state semifinals.
The only obstacle that kept Chartiers-Houston from winning back-to-back district titles was Neshannock.
The Lancers beat the Bucs 7-1 in the WPIAL championship and 12-1 in the state semifinals.
Chartiers-Houston is in good company, because no WPIAL opponent beat Neshannock the last four years.
Richey hit a triple in the WPIAL championship and came home on a throwing error.
Along with softball, Richey was a starting guard on the Bucs’ girls basketball team that made the state playoffs, and a starter on the girls soccer team.
She’ll continue her softball career at King University, an NCAA Division II school in Bristol, Tenn.
■ Bailey Barnyak, junior, Carmichaels
■ Brooke Bumer, junior, Canon-McMillan
■ Maddie Cavenaugh, senior, South Fayette
■ Lilly Duffill, junior, Chartiers Valley
■ Meadow Ferri, senior, Chartiers-Houston
■ Payton Gilbert, senior, West Greene
■ Sydney Gonglik, sophomore, Bentworth
■ Ally Krenzelak, junior, Trinity
■ Carys McConnell, junior, Carmichaels
■ Lauren Rush, junior Chartiers-Houston
■ Hanna Suhoski, senior, Trinity
■ Gina Tedrow, junior, Waynesburg
■ Taylor Walsh, senior, Chartiers Valley
Girls tennis SINGLES MVP Gabby Dusi, Belle Vernon DOUBLES MVPs
Jackie Tang & Michelle Yang, Mt. Lebanon
Separately Jackie Tang and Michelle Yang are sensational. As the No. 1 and No. 2 singles players for Mt. Lebanon, they guided the Blue Devils to a team championship.
Together they are terrific. The pair combined to win the WPIAL Class 3A doubles title.
They were runners-up in the state.
After winning the Section 1 title, Tang and Yang claimed the district championship. During the WPIAL doubles finals played Oct. 3 at Bethel Park High School, they dispatched Shady Side Academy's Brooke Henderson and Alexandria Merkel, 6-4, 6-0. They had breezed into the finals. After pro set wins, 10-3, against Latrobe’s Brooke Coll and Maria Fetter as well as Elinor Kim and Adelaide Seigworth from North Hills, Tang and Yang dispatched Pine-Richland’s Cassandra Lapina and Sonaya Aora, 7-5, 6-2, in the semifinals.
During the PIAA doubles tournament, Tang and Yang reached the semifinals only to succumb to the eventual state champions, Michelle Lerman and Anya Zubenko from Council Rock South, 6-2, 6-4.
As singles players, Tang and Yang led the Blue Devils to a section title with an 8-0 record. The Blue Devils defeated Bethel Park for the WPIAL Class 3A team trophy with
Yang sealing the match with her 6-3, 7-5 win at No. 2 singles. After that 3-2 triumph on Oct. 17, the Blue Devils reached the PIAA semifinals, falling to eventual champion Lower Merion at Hershey Racquet Club.
Tang and Yang, who share the same birthday, will return next fall to defend their titles as seniors.
Gabby Dusi made history at Belle Vernon when she won her second WPIAL Class 2A singles championship in September, defeating Hampton’s Grace Stitt, 6-1, 6-0, in the finals held on the outdoor courts at Bethel Park High School.
Dusi was the top seed in the WPIAL tournament after winning the section championship with a dominant 6-0, 6-0 victory over Oakland Catholic’s Mollie Sclichter in the finals.
Dusi received a first-round bye in the WPIAL tournament and routed North Catholic’s Brea Kelley 10-0 in the quarterfinals. She defeated Beaver’s Anna Mrkonja 6-1, 6-1 in the semifinals.
Last year, Dusi advanced to the state quarterfinals. This year, she made it all the way to the PIAA championship match. The junior made Belle Vernon history, becoming the first player in school history to advance to the state final in tennis.
“This year was different because I was expected to win the tournament, so you have that pressure,” Dusi said.
Dusi dropped a 6-3, 6-2 match to Wyoming Seminary senior Ilana Rosenthal in the final. Rosenthal won her third straight state championship. Dusi was the only opponent who won a game against Rosenthal in the tournament, as she won her first three matches, 6-0, 6-0. Dusi also won her first-round match, 6-0, 6-0, before a 6-3, 6-3 triumph in the quarterfinals. Dusi earned a three-set victory over Cathedral Prep’s Paige Patsy, 6-0, 4-6, 6-2, in the semifinals.
Michelle Yang and Jackie Tang
Girls basketball MVP Natalie Wetzel Peters Township
Natalie Wetzel experienced two defining moments in her basketball career at Peters Township. They came within three weeks of each other.
Wetzel enjoyed the thrill of victory in leading the Indians to their second WPIAL championship in school history, then suffered the agony of defeat in the state semifinals. On March 1, Peters Township came from behind to beat South Fayette, 40-36, and win a title the program had not claimed since 2019. Then, on March 22, the Lions avenged that loss, 50-36, in the state semifinals and ended Wetzel’s remarkable reign as one of the finest players in school history.
“It is a little bittersweet because winning a WPIAL title was always a dream. Since we won that, then looking back, that lessens the pain of losing because states would have been nice,” Wetzel said.
Wetzel had more than a nice career at Peters Township. She ranks among the top three players to emerge from the program.
She finished as the No. 3 scorer in school history with 1,692 points. Only Emily Cor-
real (1,832) and Makenna Marisa (1,730) finished ahead of her. Wetzel also ranked among the school’s top defenders with 806 rebounds and 125 blocked shots to go along with 235 assists.
This winter, Wetzel put her teammates on her shoulder as she lifted them to a 26-4 record that included an undefeated (12-0) Section 4 title. She averaged 18.7 points per game and grabbed 9.5 rebounds. She also dished up 2.4 assists and blocked 1.7 shots.
“Natalie was clearly the best player in the WPIAL and one of the best players in recent history in the area,” said Limberiou. “I could make an argument she was the best offensive and defensive player in the WPIAL and she led her team to a championship in the toughest classification.”
The Almanac, as well as the Observer-Reporter, agreed. Wetzel was named Most Valuable Player on the Almanac’s Elite Eleven as well as Player of the Year on the O-R’s All-District squad.
Wetzel will continue her career at the college level at Miami (Fla.).
HONOREES
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The future of running is in good hands at South Fayette in part because of Griffin Martin. The sophomore is the top runner on a cross country team that returns its entire lineup from last fall’s WPIAL Championships held Oct. 24 at White Oak Park.
The Lions finished eighth overall as a team in the Class 3A division with a 265 score while Norwin (80), North Allegheny (90) and Fox Chapel (122) took the top three slots.
Individually, Martin secured seventh
place overall with a 15:58.20 time.
Fox Chapel’s Ethan Vaughan won the division with a 15:26.50 time while North Allegheny’s Andrew Peigh (15:37.60) and Moon’s Tyler Giunipero (15:40.00) grabbed second and third places, respectively.
During the PIAA Championships held in November in Hershey, Martin submitted a top-50 performance. He finished 49th overall in 16:53.
“Griffin has been a tremendous leader on our team,” said South Fayette coach Joe Winans. “Not only does he lead
Boys/girls cross country BOYS MVP Griffin Martin, South Fayette HONOREES
through his performance, but has become a dependable leader in the locker room.”
Martin continued to be a reliable runner during the spring track season.
During the WPIAL Class 3A finals held May 14 at Slippery Rock University, Martin finished fourth overall in the 3,200-meter run with a 9:23.99 mark.
During the PIAA Championships held May 23-24 at Shippensburg University, Martin placed 24th overall in the 3,200 finals, clocking in at 9:51.11.
Elihu Dale senior McGuffey
Evan Dawson junior South Fayette
Colin Duran senior Mt. Lebanon
Caleb Guarino senior Upper St. Clair
Devin Junko sophomore Trinity
Carter Kent sophomore California
Connor Kuglar sophomore South Fayette
Evan Yurasko junior Mt. Lebanon
GIRLS MVP
Angela Zeng, South Fayette
According to South Fayette cross country coach Joe Winans, Angela Zeng is a “student of the sport” because the freshman has been running for forever.
“I grew up running,” she said. Zheng played soccer and ran as a youth. She also participated in the Kids of Steel training program. The P3R award-winning initiative motivates children and their families to get them moving.
Zheng would also run on Fridays and train for one-mile races. Once she reached middle school, she started to compete in track.
According to Winans, she
used her freshman year to “acclimate” to running 5K (3.1mile) distances. He is pleased with her progress, especially her development as a tactician on the course.
During the WPIAL Cross Country Championships held Oct. 24 at White Oak Park, Zeng ran a “technically sound and smart” race and finished fourth overall in Class 3A with a personal-best time of 18:16.10.
Zeng was eighth after the first mile but moved up to fifth at the two-mile mark. She overtook one more runner at the finish but was unable to catch Annabel Johnson from Woodland Hills, who won in 17:57.10.
During the PIAA Championships held Nov. 2 in Hershey, Zeng finished 14th in 19:29.
With Zeng on the South Fayette roster, the team flourished. The Lions finished eighth in the PIAA Championships and third in the WPIAL. They were the Section 6 champions with an 8-0 record.
During the spring track season, Zeng took third in the 1,600-meter run (4:59.123) at the WPIAL Championships and she anchored the winning 4x800 relay team of Emily Sinton, Nina DiMartini and Siya Joshi. At the PIAA meet, Zeng finished 12th in the mile and helped the relay team to a fifth-place showing.
HONOREES
Lily Brenneman sophomore Ringgold
Emily Frankovich senior Fort Cherry
Sophie Kanownik junior Chartiers Valley
McNamee
Lebanon
Diving
MVP Malcolm Thompson Mt. Lebanon
For the third year in a row, Malcolm Thompson nailed down the Best of Sports designation in diving.
Ranked No. 1 throughout the season, Thompson capped his career at Mt. Lebanon with a fourth-place finish at the PIAA championships. He racked up a score of 487.95 points. That showing came on the heels of a bronze-medal performance during the WPIAL Class 3A championships. His score of 501.85 points fell 26.55 short of the gold medal.
Thompson’s effort in his final scholastic meets were two of his finest, especially the state showing because he was in ninth position heading into the final round. There he nailed his final dive, which carried a degree of difficulty of 3.1, catapulting him onto the podium.
“Malcolm really stuck his last three dives,” said coach Tom Donati. “Credit to him. He’s the best diver in Lebo history.
Thompson started his career as a two-sport athlete. As a freshman, he
was a wide receiver and cornerback on Lebo’s WPIAL and PIAA championship team in 2021.
However, he stuck with diving, a sport he became enthralled with at age 10 while watching one of the lifeguards at the outdoor swim center where he trained with the Mt. Lebanon Aqua Club.
As a sophomore, he finished fifth in the WPIAL, scoring 402.50. As a junior he was the bronze medalist with a 473.20 score, thanks to a back one-andone half dive with a half twist, and a PIAA qualifier. He placed eighth at last year’s state championships.
In addition to holding several pool and school records, Thompson trained with the Pitt Competitive Diving Club, found time to run cross country and compete on the track team as well as play the double bass in the high school orchestra and hip-hop group in Oakland.
Thompson will study at Fordham University while continuing his diving career.
Rifle MVP Alexander Chandran, Mt. Lebanon
During the regular rifle season, in fact, he was Mr. Perfect. The Mt. Lebanon junior and only one other individual, WPIAL champion Jackson Jungling from Bulter, earned the Dave Cramer Award, given for perfect shooting during section matches. He did not drop a single point.
“It is a huge accomplishment,” said Lebo assistant coach Natalie Kukla. “Not only that, Alex was one of six on our team to hit a perfect target of 100-10x at a match. A fun bragging right for each of them.” Additionally, Chandran boasted MVP honors for the
Blue Devils. He finished with the highest score total throughout the season. Chandran racked up 1,399 out of 1,400 possible points and averaged 99.9. He hit 110 of 140xs.
His consistency enabled the Blue Devils to go undefeated (14-0) and claim a section championship, a feat last accomplished by the 2007 squad that posted a 15-1 record. Chandran also captained Lebo to a fourth-place finish in the WPIAL Team Championships as well as the PIAA state finals. Individually, he secured sixth in the WPIAL Individual Championships held at the Dormont-Mt. Lebanon Sports Club and 21st overall in the
PIAA state shoot.
According to Kukla, as well as head coach Dave Williard, “Chandran is a dedicated athlete with a great work ethic. As a team member for three seasons his skills and confidence have grown. His friendliness, willingness to serve and his calm demeanor under pressure have helped him become a great team captain.”
Chandran balanced rifle with his AP classes as well as assisting with the family business. According to his coaches, whenever there was down time at a match or practice, Chandran could be seen at a whiteboard working on physics and mechanics calculations.
HONOREES
■ Maredith Ashby, Trinity
■ Emily Burnfield, Waynesburg
■ Elizabeth Engle, Trinity
■ Whistle Foxbury, Mt. Lebanon
■ Erin Shehab, Upper St. Clair
■ Ben Waldron, Upper St. Clair
Ryan Walther, Trinity
Alexander Chandran is a sure shot.
Boys basketball
For the second straight season, Tyler Robbins has garnered MVP honors for boys basketball simply because he again dominated the competition on the courts.
The 6-10 senior led Upper St. Clair to back-to-back WPIAL Class 6A championships. In 2025, he averaged 15 points, 8 rebounds and 3 blocked shots per game. He shot 57 percent from the field and converted 16 3-point field goals. Last year, as a junior, he managed 13.6 points, 11.3 rebounds and 5.5 blocks.
“Tyler was a dominant player on offense and defense,” said USC coach Dan Holzer. “His ability to score and pass on offense for a forward was tremendous.” That ability led to dramatic wins for the Panthers.
For example, his dunk with 1.2 seconds left in overtime catapulted USC to victory, 51-49, over Erie McDowell in the quarterfinals of this year’s PIAA tournament. He finished with 14 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocked shots in the win.
Robbins also provided 12 points, 12 rebounds and 5 blocked shots in USC’s win over New Castle, 65-43, in the WPIAL championship contest. In last year’s district final, he was the model of efficiency, converting 9 of 11 shots from the field and connecting on 4 of 6 from the free-throw line. He fired in 22 points, hauled in 12 rebounds and blocked 5 shots as the Panthers defeated Baldwin, 64-41, in the 2024 championship game.
A Miami of Ohio recruit, Robbins scored 855 career points. He also amassed 586 rebounds and 239 blocked shots.
“Tyler was an amazing player and person that will have a lasting impact on our program,” said Holzer. “On and off the court, he led by example. He affected games on both sides of the ball. Just his presence,” added Holzer.
MVP Tyler Robbins, Upper St. Clair HONOREES
Aydan Cunningham senior McGuffey
Julian Dahlem senior Upper St. Clair
Sam Deibert senior Mt. Lebanon
Dylan Donovan junior Peters Township
Jacob Dunkle senior Trinity
Niko Gidas senior Upper St. Clair
Nick McCullough senior Peters Township
Zion Moore senior Belle Vernon
Tanner Pfeuffer senior Bethel Park
Liam Sheely junior Mt. Lebanon
Girls swimming MVP Sylvia Roy, Mt. Lebanon
Sylvia Roy put an exclamation point on her scholastic swimming career when she not only captured her third straight state title in the 100-yard backstroke during the PIAA Championships, but the senior from Mt. Lebanon also shattered her own record in the event.
Roy breezed to victory in her signature swim, shaving almost two tenths of a second off her time. In 2024, Roy won the event in record fashion with a 52.90. In 2025, she swam a 52.74.
In addition to her gold-medal performance in the 100 back, Roy secured the silver in the 50 freestyle. She clocked a 22.86, .42 off the winning pace by Molly Workman, who also won the 100 free event. It was the third straight runner-up showing in the 50 free for Roy at the state meet, which was held March 14-15 at Bucknell University’s Kinney Natatorium.
Bound for the University of Virginia in the fall, Roy accumulated a bounty of medals and accolades, including All-America status.
In addition to her state collection, Roy had been a four-time WPIAL champion in both the 50 free and 100 back. She is the district record holder in each of those races as well as the 100 free.
At this winter’s district finals, she shattered two WPIAL records while also claiming the gold in the 50 free and 100 back to make her only the third female swimmer in Class 3A history to win four straight titles in two different events.
Roy also participated in the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2024. She narrowly missed a spot in the semifinals of the 100-meter back.
“Sylvia is just special,” said Tom Donati, who has trained competitive athletes for more than 35 years, including 13 at Mt. Lebanon skipper. “No doubt, she is the best I have had by far and one of the most accomplished swimmers in WPIAL history. She’s not just talented but she’s coachable and driven. I have even grown as a coach because of her.”
Boys swimming
MVP Nazur Zoukovski, Upper St. Clair
Nazur Zoukovski had a record-breaking year in swimming but the rising Upper St. Clair senior isn’t done yet.
“He had a solid year,” agreed USC head coach David Schraven. “But, I still think there is more in the tank.”
Zoukovski already is a two-time WPIAL champion and a multiple state medalist. During the PIAA Championships held March 14-15 at Bucknell University’s Kinney Natatorium, Zoukovski won the bronze medal in the 200-yard freestyle. His time of 1:39.68 shattered the school record set in 2009 by Kyle Dudzinki, who swam at the University of Virginia. Because both swimmers ahead of him were seniors, Zoukovski has set being a state champion as the goal in 2026.
Zoukovski also finished fifth, behind four seniors, in the 100 freestyle. His mark
of 44.99 was three tenths of a second off the school record set by Ryan Dudzinki, who was an All-American at Stanford University. At the state meet, Zoukovski also anchored the medley relay to a third-place showing and led off the 200 freestyle relay, which finished fourth.
The Panthers finished fifth in the team standings at the state championships. They were runners-up to North Allegheny for the eighth time during the WPIAL Class 3A finals held at the University of Pittsburgh’s Trees Pool.
At the district meet, Zoukovski successfully defended his championship in the 100 free, winning the gold in 45.38. He also was the runner-up in the 200 free.
Zoukovski anchored the Panthers’ medley relay team to victory in an All-America consideration time of 1:32.68 and led off the third-place 200 free relay team.
Boys/girls volleyball
BOYS MVP
Justin Peters, Canon-McMillan
Canon-McMillan has been on quite a run in boys volleyball over the last three seasons. The Big Macs have won 29 of 30 section matches during that period with two outright section titles and a shared one with Mt. Lebanon this year.
One big reason for the Big Macs’ success on the court has been the play of Justin Peters. On a talented team that had depth at every position, the versatile senior was a rare talent. He could play setter, he could finish an attack with a kill and he could play de-
GIRLS
MVP
fense. Peters, a senior, is the equivalent to a utility man in baseball. He sets up in the back row and when he rotates to the net he hits from the right side.
“We run a 6-2 (rotation), which means there’s always a setter in the back row,” Canon-McMillan coach Sheila Mitchell explained. “Justin sets in the back row and hits in the front row, because he’s a very strong hitter.”
Peters led Canon-McMillan in kills with 175 –three more than teammate Landon Patterson – while also having a team-high
331 assists. Peters was second on the team in digs and his 41 service aces were tops.
Peters was named to the all-section team as a setter for Class 3A Section 2. He was also an All-WPIAL second team pick. He plays for the Pittsburgh Elite Volleyball Club.
Canon-McMillan finished the season with a 15-3 overall record and defeated Central Catholic 3-0 in the first round of the playoffs before losing to eventual WPIAL runner-up Seneca Valley in the second round.
Natalie Carr, Canon-McMillan
Over the last decade, Canon-McMillan has developed into one of the top girls volleyball programs in the WPIAL. Natalie Carr has helped keep the Big Macs on top and played a big part in the Big Macs’ run to the WPIAL Class 4A semifinals last fall.
A junior outside hitter, Carr was the Big Macs’ leader in many offensive categories as Canon-McMillan won the Class 4A section championship, going 10-0 in the league. The Big Macs were 16-2 overall and defeated Pine-Richland in the quarterfinals before falling in five sets to North Catholic in the semifinals.
Carr was the player of the year in the section, leading the Big Macs with 253 kills. She also had 31 service aces and 21 blocks.
Over the past two seasons, Carr has a
whopping 593 kills.
Though she still has another season of high school volleyball to play, Carr has committed to Youngstown State.
Carr has teamed with middle blocker Abby Tucker, another Division I recruit, to give the Big Macs one of the most formidable front lines in the WPIAL. Tucker, a senior this past season, is a West Virginia recruit.
With Carr on the inside and Tucker in the middle, Canon-McMillan has won three straight section titles and advanced to the WPIAL championship match in 2023. Carr plays volleyball more than just during the high school season. She is a member of Pittsburgh Elite, 18 Elite team that keeps her busy during the winter months.
HONOREES
BOYS
■ Aidan Chambers, sophomore, Upper St. Clair
■ Kale Davis, senior, Mt. Lebanon
■ Shaan, Dharwadkar, senior, Mt. Lebanon
■ Liam Dwyer, senior, Mt. Lebanon
■ Dilsher Goraya, junior, South Fayette
■ Alex Klein, junior, Peters Township
■ Quinn Leroux, junior, South Fayette
■ Landon Patterson, junior, Canon-McMillan
■ Travis Potteiger, senior, South Fayette
■ Nolan Rosing, junior, Canon-McMillan
■ Jack Steele, senior, Canon-McMillan
■ Ryan Torboli, senior, Trinity
GIRLS
■ Aliyah Angelici, seniors, Upper St. Clair
■ Kaylie Baumgart, senior, Chartiers Valley
■ Hayden Culp, junior, Upper St. Clair
■ Juliette Leroux, junior, South Fayette
■ Bailey Rafferty, senior, Waynesburg
■ Abby Tucker, senior, Canon-McMillan
History, indeed, does repeat itself. Just ask Sylvia Roy from Mt. Lebanon. She follows in her mother’s footsteps and has become the Female Athlete of the Year.
In 1992, Alexis Fedorchak was named The Almanac’s second female Athlete of the Year. Just like her daughter, Fedorchak was a multiple WPIAL and PIAA state champion at Mt. Lebanon before swimming at Indiana University.
In 2025, Roy earned the distinction as The Almanac’s as well as the Observer-Reporter’s Female Athlete of the Year in the Best of Sports edition. She’s also been named an MVP for girls swimming for her record-breaking career.
“When I told my mom about AOTY, she was like, ‘Oh, way back in the day, I got that too,’ so that’s really cool,” Roy said. “It’s a tremendous honor; one I didn’t expect so that makes it extra exciting and the fact my mom did it makes it extra special.
“It’s neat because I did try to emulate her. She’s been a helpful mentor because she went through the exact same thing that I did. She’s always been there and giving me advice. So it’s nice to have that history.”
Roy has erased that biography as well as the chronicles of all other swimmers to have come through the Lebo aquatics program. She leaves a legacy that extends throughout the region as well as the state because she shattered multiple pool, school, WPIAL and PIAA records.
Roy is still in shock that she’s only the third female in Class 3A of the WPIAL to win four consecutive titles in two different events. She swept the 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard backstroke races at the district championships held each of the past four years at the University of Pittsburgh’s Trees Pool.
“Although it happened a few
Female athlete of the year Sylvia Roy, Mt. Lebanon
months ago, honestly, I still can’t really believe it,” she said of her performance that included breaking three long-standing time records. “I realize how big a deal it is but it’s hard to comprehend how people are going to look back on this. Making history is really special.”
Before she picked up her eighth gold medal at the WPIAL Championships this winter, Roy kicked off her senior year by participating in the United States Olympic Trials held last summer in Indianapolis. She competed in the 100- and 200-meter backstroke events, posting personal best times of 1:00.95 and 2:12.41. In the 100 back, she
“I’M ALWAYS GOING TO HAVE THE MEDALS BUT I THINK WHAT I AM GOING TO CHERISH MOST ARE THE FRIENDSHIPS THAT I’VE MADE. THAT MEANS MORE TO ME THAN ANYTHING. I’M GOING TO MISS MY TEAMMATES THE MOST.”
— SYLVIA ROY, 2025 FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
free and 100 back for the fourth time and breaking the district records in each event. She also set the new standard for the 100 free with her lead-off leg on the 400 relay.
At the PIAA Championships held at Bucknell University, Roy won her third straight state title in the backstroke. She shaved almost two tenths of a second off her record time, finishing with a 52.74 mark. She also secured the silver medal in the 50 free, falling .42 seconds short of the gold. It was her third, runner-up finish at states in the sprint event.
Looking back on her career, Roy sees more than the glitter of gold and shimmer of silver.
fast swimmer, but someone who they could look up to, too.”
Now that her scholastic career is complete, Roy looks to her future.
Roy will apply her academics – she owned a 5.1 GPA and was inducted into the prestigious Cum Laude Society at Mt. Lebanon – towards a degree in chemical engineering while swimming at the University of Virginia. The Cavaliers produced an Olympian medalist from Mt. Lebanon in Leah Smith. She won gold and bronze in the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro.
won her heat and was a mere .22 off the mark of 1:00.77 to qualify for the semifinals.
Roy said that competing at the Trials ranks up there among the most memorable meets in her high school career.
“It’s one of the most special events that I’ve attended and most important. I was so thankful to get to go with my coach and I feel like it was a really nice way to start off my last year of high school.”
After leading Lebo to an undefeated section banner (6-0), Roy guided the Blue Devils to a fourth-place finish as a team in the WPIAL. Individually, she ruled the pool, winning the 50
“I’m always going to have the medals but I think what I am going to cherish most are the friendships that I’ve made. That means more to me than anything. I’m going to miss my teammates the most. Those people really made this place special. It was really important to me to be a good teammate and somebody that the girls could come to if they needed help. That was a bigger thing to me; to be able to lead them.”
Roy hopes her actions are her legacy at Mt. Lebanon, not the records and medals.
“I hope when people look back, they think of me as a hard worker and someone who set an example and kind of try and embody that too. I hope that they think of me as someone who was more than just like a
Roy will be training and working the whole summer in preparation for her plunge into swimming at the collegiate level. She admitted that the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles would be a “bit of a stretch” while she gets her feet wet adjusting to collegiate life.
“It’s a big step,” she said. “Right now I’m just trying to get better as an athlete and improve my times. That’s kind of all that I can hope for.”
Roy still dreams big though. Her foremost objectives are to qualify for the NCAA championships.
“I don’t know what’s in store for me but that’s the goal and maybe even getting on the podium,” she said. “It’s hard to say what will happen after that because you never know. So I don’t want to count out anything, even the Olympics some day.”
Male athlete of the year Lee Qualk, California
Lee Qualk started the 2024-25 school year by making headlines and finished it doing the same.
He burst onto the scene as California’s running back, rushing for 383 yards and six touchdowns in the Trojans’ season opener against Serra Catholic and went on to become one of the leading rushers in the WPIAL.
In the spring, he fulfilled a dream by winning state gold in the long jump at the PIAA track and field championships.
For his efforts and athletic achievement, Qualk is the 202425 Male Athlete of the Year.
Qualk, a senior, finished with 2,145 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns. His rushing yards ranked third in the WPIAL, including postseason statistics, and he led the district in rushing touchdowns. Qualk led the WPIAL in rushing at the end of the regular season.
Not bad for someone who started playing football as an eighth grader.
In that 62-26 win over Serra, Qualk actually had two more touchdowns, but they were called back on penalties.
He had 39 carries, a first in a long list of games where he provided the bulk of the offense.
“It was a fun game,” Qualk said. “It was by far my highest number of carries in a game. The previous high was nine. I was told that I was going to be a
“I KNEW GOING IN THERE WAS ONLY ONE OTHER PERSON TO EVER FINISH FIRST FROM CAL AND I WANTED TO BE THE SECOND ONE AND THE FIRST BOY.” — LEE QUALK, 2025 MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
big piece of the offense coming into my senior year.”
Qualk led California to a WPIAL Class A playoff berth. Though the Trojans lost to Jefferson-Morgan and subsequently finished second in the Tri-County South Conference, they won a playoff game, 22-6 at Laurel.
Qualk played a big role, with 163 yards on 24 attempts and three touchdowns, two rushing and one receiving.
Once football season ended, Qualk went all-in on his preparation for the outdoor track and field season in the spring.
He was the defending WPIAL Class 2A long jump champion, but didn’t feel like he performed well at states.
A big indicator that he’d be a threat for both WPIAL and states was winning the Baldwin Invitational with a personal best jump of 23 feet, 5½ inches.
“When I first saw the number it felt unreal, because for so long that’s been my goal,”
Qualk said. “Honestly, I’ve been training all year to get to 23 feet.
I lift in the morning and focus as hard as I can in practice like working on my technique. It wasn’t anything super specific that I did in that moment, it was what I have been doing for months all in one moment.”
Qualk repeated as WPIAL champ using a jump of 22-8 to win by six inches, but he left Slippery Rock knowing there was more in the tank.
“All in all, I actually wasn’t feeling that great about my jumps,” Qualk said. “I was behind the board a little bit. There is a lot of room for improvement, but I still can’t be upset about what I did.”
Qualk certainly honed in at the PIAA meet.
He won a state title and did so in comeback fashion.
Qualk was fourth after the preliminary rounds. Before the finals got underway, heavy rain started falling.
The rain added to conditions that were already less than ideal. The temperatures were in the low 50s – well below average for May – and a steady, brisk
wind blew throughout.
Qualk heard some talk from fellow competitors that nobody was going to have a better jump once the rain started falling. He proved them wrong.
Qualk went 22-10½ on his final jump to win and fulfill his dream of becoming a state champion. His jump was an inch and a quarter better than second place.
“With my last jump I kind of relaxed and said ‘whatever happens, happens’,” Qualk said. “The other two jumps in the rain I had pushed too much, and they weren’t as good as I could’ve been. When I saw (the final jump) was 22-10, I jumped up in the air and started cele-
brating, because that’s exactly what I wanted to see.”
Qualk made history by becoming the first male athlete from California to win a state title. He’s only the second one in school history, joining Kaylin Clancy, who won a girls title in shot put.
“I knew going in there was only one other person to ever finish first from Cal and I wanted to be the second one and the first boy,” Qualk said. “That was my goal coming in. To take home gold.”
Qualk will continue his track and field career at Penn State Behrend where he plans to study Engineering.
Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter California’s Lee Qualk, right, started the football season by rushing for 383 yards and six touchdowns against Serra Catholic. He ended the school year by winning the WPIAL and PIAA Class 2A long jump championships.
Baseball
MVP
Ryan Petras, Bethel Park
Fittingly, Ryan Petras wrapped up his scholastic baseball career on Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on the Penn State University campus, for that’s where it started.
Four years ago, Petras played center field as a freshman on Bethel Park’s 2022 state championship club. On June 22, he played shortstop on the West team during the inaugural Pennsylvania High School All-Star Game.
No one has dominated the diamond at Bethel Park more than Petras. He graduated having established three new standards.
Petras is the school’s all-time leader with 113 career hits and 80 career steals. He also owns the record for steals in a season with 27 swipes this spring.
“He leaves a legacy as one of the greatest athletes to ever come through Bethel Park,” said Hawks manager Patrick Zehnder of the two-sport standout. ““He is gifted athletically, puts in the hard work that people don’t see, has a mature mindset and a competitive drive.”
During his baseball career, Petras helped the Black Hawks win three section titles and two WPIAL runner-up trophies to go along with one PIAA championship. He played a role in 74 victories in 98 games.
This spring, Petras led the team in hits (81), batting average (.444) and runs (30). He tagged eight doubles and one triple for a .568 slugging percentage. With 14 walks, he owned an on-base percentage of .526. BP’s leadoff hitter drove in 11 runs.
Despite his baseball prowess, Petras, who owned a 4.2 GPA and will play football at Duquesne University and major in business.
On the gridiron, Petras was equally efficient. He was a four-time all-conference performer, earning Player of the Year recognition twice, and a three-time allstate honoree. He played in 38 games, amassing 1983 receiving yards, 1,260 rushing yards and more than 1,000 yards in returns. He scored 44 career touchdowns, 39 on offense and five on kick returns.
HONOREES
Michael Alspaugh senior Peters Township
Matthew Bredel junior Burgettstown
Nico D’Orazio junior Upper St. Clair
Graham Keen sophomore Mt. Lebanon
Parker Lind senior Belle Vernon
M.J. Maruschak junior Canon-McMillan
Matthew Robaugh senior Trinity
Dylan Schumacher senior Bethel Park
Sebastian Shulsky junior Canon-McMillan
Colton Temple sophomore Fort Cherry
Alex VanSickle senior Waynesburg
Robbie Wilson-Jones senior Carmichaels
Year in photos
Ryan Petras bows his head on second base after a failed stolen base attempt as Tanner Cunningham celebrates getting the final putout to secure Pine-Richland’s win over Bethel Park, 5-4, in the WPIAL Class 5A baseball semifinals.The Black Hawks finished third in the district and advanced to the state quarterfinals before ending their season at 20-6 overall.
Peters Township's Camryn Klein (5) heads the ball in front of Central Dauphin goalkeeper Mikala Matincheck in the first half of the PIAA Class 4A girls soccer playoff match at Confluence Financial Partners Stadium in November.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Lucas Shanafelt celebrates after combining with James Spratt for a sack of Upper St. Clair’s Ethan Hellmann during a game in October.
Mark Marietta/ For the Observer-Reporter
Year in photos
Members
A hard-charging Aiden O'Dell of McGuffey loses his helmet when he
the Washington defense during a season-opening football game in August.
Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter
breaks through
Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter
of the Fort Cherry football team celebrate with the championship trophy after the Rangers rallied late to beat Clairton for the WPIAL Class A title at Acrisure Stadium in November.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Alex Parise (11), Anthony Maiello (9) and Dante Pusateri celebrate while Luke West (21) agonizes after Seneca Valley surrendered the game-winning goal to Peters Township in a 3-2 WPIAL boys soccer playoff match. Parise played the ball into the goal area and Maiello slid it past goalkeeper Noah Eastgate.