For the last five years, valuable Allegheny County principals have been recognized for their work, which may at times go unnoticed.
The Most Valuable Principals (MVP) program – a partnership of the Grable Foundation, the Allegheny Intermediate Unit and the Pittsburgh Penguins –honors principals for their innovative leadership, dedication to student success and commitment to excellence.
Among the 15 honored this year are Amanda Beckett, assistant principal at Chartiers Valley Intermediate School, and Dr. Brett Bielewicz, principal of Jefferson Elementary School in the Mt. Lebanon School District.
Principals from Allegheny County’s 42 suburban public school districts are considered. More than 300 nominations were received this year.
“It’s really the principal who sets the tone, and we learn again and again how important that tone is from everything from academic outcomes to student attendance to graduation rates,” said Ryan Rydzewski, Grable Foundation communications officer. “The work of principals is so often invisible to people outside of a school building. If you’re a parent, when you interact with a principal, it’s usually bad news. We really wanted to recognize and celebrate the hard and important work that principals do because they don’t always get the positive spotlight that they deserve.” Bielewicz and Beckett were touched by the recognition.
“It’s an incredible honor,” Bielewicz said. “It was a really fun surprise because it was a school community family member who nominated me, so it was unexpected. It’s
Area principals honored for commitment to excellence
an honor and a privilege. It feels nice to be validated that the work that you’re doing is having an impact beyond just my office, beyond just the four walls of the building. I’ve always enjoyed working with kids and loved the idea of having an impact bigger than you.”
“It’s really kind,” added Beckett, who admitted she likes to fly under the radar. “I’m OK if I just come to work every day and do my job, but it is really kind that someone nominated me, and I’m just appreciative of the opportunity.”
Dr. Jill Jacoby, assistant executive director of teaching and learning for the Allegheny Intermediate Unit, said a number of categories are considered when selecting the MVPs. They include what sets the principal apart from others, how they have improved the lives of students, and how they have built relationships with students, families and communities.
Nominations are submitted by community members, parents, colleagues and supervisors, and the MVPs are selected by the Allegheny Intermediate Unit. Nominations are taken each year in October.
“Principals are an important part of the school landscape, and I think sometimes they don’t get the limelight because they’re just keeping their head down and doing their job,” Jacoby said.
“We need to celebrate them. There’s so many good things that happen, especially at a building level with principals that we really want to make sure they get honored.”
Bielewicz is in his seventh year as principal at Jefferson Elementary School. One of the features at the school of which he is most proud is the positive behavior program, which he feels is helping to create the next generation of good citizens.
“Our three big mottos are being respectful, responsible and ready,” he said. “That crosses all realms of whether it’s academic, whether it’s social or whether it’s emotional. We have a rather integrated ap -
By Karen Mansfield kmansfield@observer-reporter.com
Weighted vests are everywhere. It’s hard to walk on a trail or in a park, or work out in a gym without seeing someone wearing one.
“Rucking,” or wearing extra weight on your back, isn’t new - weighted workouts have been standard in the military for decades.
But, said Dr. Steven Magister, an orthopedic surgeon at UPMC Washington, the vests have grown in popularity in recent years, boosted by social media influencers who tout their benefits.
The market for weighted vests is expected to grow to more than $310 million by 2031.
“I would agree that there are a lot of benefits to wearing weighted vests, with one of the biggest benefits being increased calorie expenditure,” said Magister. “The more weight you carry, the more calories you expend per distance walked.”
proach to making sure students feel seen, valued, loved and respected, but also that they feel prepared to tackle whatever the world is bringing their way.”
By Jen Garofalo
A beloved Pennsylvania chocolatier and an Ohio brewing company have partnered to give adults something special for their Easter baskets. The limited-edition Chocolate Ale created by Great Lakes Brewing Company in Cleveland combines their brew with chocolate flavors from Canonsburg-based Sarris Candies.
“Nothing quite captures the experience of enjoying
a box of Sarris chocolates, but we feel we got pretty close,” said Great Lakes Co-CEO Steven Pauwels. Sarris’ marketing coordinator Chelsea Sammel said chocolate beers tend to be very rich in flavor, but the golden Chocolate Ale has a lighter taste.
Beginning this month, the 6% ABV Chocolate Ale will be sold in six packs at select Giant Eagle, Giant Eagle Market District and GetGo stores in Western Pennsylvania and Northeast and Central Ohio. Sammel said the collaboration started af -
ter Great Lakes’ owners reached out to Sarris Candies’ president and CEO Bill Sarris.
“It was a good opportunity to bring the two brands together between the two cities,” she said. Both also have a longstanding partnership with Giant Eagle, she said, calling it a “trifecta” of local businesses working together.
The Chocolate Ale is the latest partnership between Sarris Candies and a local brewery. Last February, the candy company partnered
with Penn Brewery in Pittsburgh for a Peanut Butter Meltaway Chocolate Stout. This year, they again collaborated with Penn for a Double Chocolate Stout. Sammel said this year’s stout was well-received. The inventory at a pop-up event at Sarris Candies sold out in less than 45 minutes.
Given the popularity of beer and chocolate combinations, Great Lakes produced a “much, much larger batch” of Chocolate Ale, she said.
Bill Sarris said he believes customers will enjoy the ale and appreciate the partnership of two family-owned regional brands that have “shared values of craftsmanship, tradition, community and innovation.
Mallori Diamond, owner and trainer at BoxStrong, a gym in Aliquippa, started wearing a weighted vest about six years ago.
“The biggest benefit of a weighted vest for me has
just been building realistic strength. For example, the small amount of load - 10 pounds - on my torso mimics daily life activities, like carrying my kids or groceries,” said Diamond.
And, while research on the weighted vests and bone health isn’t clear right now, Magister said wearing a weighted vest “could theoretically strengthen bones by putting more force on them and improving bone density.”
That’s important, especially for women as they get older and begin to lose bone density - it plummets in the five to seven years after menopause - which can lead to osteoporosis. It’s estimated that half of women over the age of 50 will break a bone because of osteoporosis.
“It’s not going to dramatically change your bone mineral density, but I do think it is a useful tool for some people to maintain bone density, and along with weight exercises, those can play off each other.”
Diamond, who is in her 30s, said maintaining healthy bone density is a motivator for her.
“Whether we fill Easter baskets, coolers or both, we are excited for this first-time partnership to hit Giant Eagle shelves and sweeten the season together,” he said.
In addition to Giant Eagle stores, the Chocolate Ale will be on tap at the Great Lakes brewpub and sold to-go in the brewery’s gift store.
AP PHOTO
Jannelliz Barragan, center, wears a weighted vest during an MB360 workout class at the Life Time health club in New York.
Amanda Beckett
Dr. Brett Bielewicz
Upper St. Clair’s Xiang advances in national math competition
Upper St. Clair High School junior Yuwen Xiang qualified for the United States of America Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO) to be held March 21-22 at John Carroll University near Cleveland.
USAMO is one of the nation’s top high school mathematics competitions.
Students qualify by earning top scores on the American Mathematics Competition (AMC) and then advancing through the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME). Only the top 11% of AIME participants nationwide are invited to compete.
“This is an extremely prestigious honor as only 250 students in the country qualify to sit for this competition each year,” said USC’s math teacher and curriculum leader Steve Miller. “I don’t know that we’ve ever had a student advance this far in the mathematics competition.”
The USAMO features six proof-based problems completed over two days for a total of nine hours of testing. John Carroll University is one of 31 regional sites hosting the 2026 competition.
Top scorers on the USAMO are invited to the Mathematical Olympiad Program
(MOP), a summer program designed to further develop elite math students. Based on their performance there, a select group of students advances to the Team Selection Tests, which determine the teams representing the United States at the International Mathematical Olympiad and the European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad. In addition to her success in mathematics competitions, Xiang was named an AP Scholar with Distinction last fall.
Xiang also serves as co-president of the high school’s Math League and is involved in the school’s spring musical, “Mamma Mia!”
evolved since I started working at Chartiers Valley and how accepting kids can be of other people.”
Beckett has been in her current position for 2½ years. She said there are many great programs at the school such as a student ambassador program, Kindness Crew, Unity Team, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Patrol and peer helpers
“CV is a very diverse district,” she said. “We have kids that get to learn from other people. It’s been really great to see how it’s
The principals will be honored at a Penguins’ game March 22, where they will receive two Party Suite tickets, a customized Pens jersey sporting their names, and a $1,000 donation to their school.
“(The Penguins) have always been a great supporter of this program,” Rydzewski said. “It means a lot to the principals. Sometimes they don’t even know they are nominated. They are just bowled over to find out that they’ve won.”
Canonsburg woman able to get back home after trip to Dubai
By Brad Hundt bhundt@observer-reporter.com
Anyone who travels internationally for work has plenty of tales to tell about snafus and frustrations that come with canceled flights, miscommunication and a myriad of other headaches that accompany trekking over oceans or crossing international borders.
Artisha Walker has her own tale to tell, and it has plenty of chaos and no small amount of nail biting.
The Canonsburg woman and digital marketing consultant was in Dubai, the glittering city in the United Arab Emirates that is home to the world’s tallest building, for a business-related event when the United States and Israel attacked Iran, and Iran retaliated by firing missiles at the UAE and some of its other Middle Eastern neighbors. What was supposed to be a relatively quick trip for Walker turned into a more extended sojourn.
“My flight was canceled five times,” Walker said. “It took a lot of effort to get a flight out. Trying to get out with what was going on was super difficult.”
The UAE is separated from the southern coast of Iran by a very narrow passage of the Persian Gulf. At its narrowest point, the distance between Iran and the UAE is about the same as the distance between
Waynesburg and Morgantown, W.Va. The U.S. consulate in Dubai was hit in a drone attack when hostilities first broke out, and a five-star resort was set ablaze. Walker was at a dinner with other people attending the event when they heard explosions from missiles that landed nearby.
Was Walker scared?
“I’m very calm and level-headed,” she explained. “People in Dubai were very calm about the situation.”
Walker noted that life pretty much proceeded as normal in Dubai after the attacks – most people were staying inside during the day because of Ramadan, the Muslim month of prayer and fasting, but then going out at night. The primary obstacle Walker faced was leaving. The State Department was urging U.S. citizens to get out of the UAE, but Walker pointed out that they were being given few options to actually do that.
“The biggest concern was you’re being told to leave, but not being able to,” Walker said, adding that the State Department was “very vague and not very helpful. We were told to leave immediately, but we received no support for doing that.”
First, one flight was canceled. Then another. Then another. All told, five flights were scrubbed before Walker was able to depart. She was finally able to arrange a flight to London after she had already
arrived at the airport for a flight to Dublin that had been canceled, but needed to quickly get an electronic travel authorization that is required of all U.S. citizens entering Britain, even if they are just changing flights.
Once she got to London’s Heathrow Airport, she was able to get on a flight to Chicago and to Pittsburgh from there.
Despite what she endured, Walker said she had no qualms about possibly returning to Dubai at some point when the conflict is at an end.
“I actually would go back,” she said.
“Honestly once you hit your mid-30s, that’s when your bone density tends to decline, so that is a big factor for me both as owner of Boxstrong and personally, finding ways to keep my skeletal structure strong,” she said. “Anytime we stress the bones, we build them up. Walking and lifting with those weighted vests offer micro-opporutnities to strengthen your bones.”
Adrienne Freeland, a Washington County native who is a clinical mental health counselor, began wearing a weighted vest after a battle with breast cancer. She was diagnosed in 2021, and after undergoing radiation, Freelend was required to take an estrogen blocker for five years (she will complete the five-year regimen in October).
Freeland, who also offers equine assisted learning and psychotherapy at her stable, wears the vest on walks and to complete farm chores.
There are other benefits, including improved muscle weight, and improved posture and balance from strengthening core muscles.
“It helps me mindfully improve my posture,” said Diamond. “Instead of letting the load weigh me down, I use my core to resist collapsing and stand proud.”
So, how do you get started adding a weighted vest to your exercise routine?
15 pounds to the vest.
“Increase distance or increase load, not both,” said Magister. “It puts a lot of strain on the body. If you put a 40-pound weighted vest on and walk four miles, your body’s going to feel that.”
And, he said, there are a lot of weighted vests on the market, including fixed weight vests with weights sewn directly into the vest, and adjustable vests with removable plates, sand bags, or metal block weights.
“This keeps the cancer at bay but unfortunately weakens the bones,” she said in an email, noting the connection between bone loss and osteopenia and osteoporosis. She zips on a 10-pound vest “with room to go up.”
As with any workout activity, start slow, Magister advised. The general rule of thumb, he said, is to choose a vest that’s 5 to 10% of your body weight, and then gradually increase your duration and intensity.
If you weigh 150 pounds, for example, that would mean adding a total of no more than
Diamond owns three weighted vests - 10-pound, 14-pound, and 20-poundfilled with sand.
“There are a lot of different brands out there, and it’s not a one-size-fits-all fitness accessory,” said Magister. “Try on different weighted vests - holster vests, rucking vests that have all the weight in the back - and see what’s comfortable and fits for you.”
Washington native Adrienne Freeland wears a
COURTESY OF ARTISHA WALKER Canonsburg resident Artisha Walker on her trip to Dubai
COURTESY OF ARTISHA WALKER It took a lot of effort for Artisha Walker to get out of Dubai once the war in Iran started.
COURTESY OF ARTISHA WALKER
Artisha Walker’s trip to Dubai was unexpectedly extended as a result of the Iran war.
Rising costs, mental health among top challenges in Pa. schools, report finds
By Karen Mansfield kmansfield@observer-reproter.com
Charter school tuition payments, rising special education costs, and student mental health needs are among the top challenges facing Pennsylvania public schools.
That’s according to the 2026 State of Education report released by the Pennsylvania School Board Association March 9. The report is based on survey responses from top administrators in 230 of the state’s 500 public school districts - who shared what they see as the most pressing issues in their school districts - and on state and federal education data.
“Not surprisingly, the biggest challenge facing public schools is budgeting,” said Andrew Christ, senior director of education policy for the PSBA. “They had to endure a five-month budget impasse, and there’s still a lot of uncertainty at the federal level with funding and also with policy. It’s difficult for school leaders to plan for their future when they don’t always have a clear picture of what their revenues are going to be.”
The report also highlights the impact of some of the costliest mandated expenses schools face - charter school tuition, special education, and employee pensions.
In the last decade, costs for those three things alone increased almost $6.1 billion. State funding intended to help pay those costs increased by less than $2.1 billion, leaving a “mandated cost gap” of slightly more than $4 billion, according to the report.
Rising charter school costs - for the seventh year in a row - were cited by 67% of respondents as one of the most significant pressures on their school budgets. Additionally, 54% cited special education costs as a major concern, and 52% responded that health insurance increases were an issue.
According to the report, 96% of districts reported at least some impact due to the fivemonth state budget impasse.
Christ said school districts have little control over mandated costs.
For example, since the 2009-10 school year, special education expenses have increased 104% while state and federal funding has increased only 21% in that time.
“We hear a lot about what schools are spending, but when you look a little deeper and you look at what’s dragging school spending, those are mandated costs that schools have little control over. If a child is identified with a disability, the school has to pay for the associated programs and support. But we have to recognize those extra programs and supports come with extra costs,” said Christ. Meanwhile, districts reported ongoing workforce shortages across the commonwealth.
Particularly difficult is staffing special education and high school math and science positions, as well as substitute teachers.
According to the report, 70% of schools are experiencing a substitute teacher shortage, while another 63% of schools are having trouble find -
ing special education teachers.
Schools also are struggling to fill instructional aides and transportation personnel positions.
Student mental health remains the biggest instructional issue for schools; most districts reported that nearly 40% of their students have mental health needs. It is the fifth consecutive year the issue has topped the list.
And, for the first time, this year’s report included data on the expansion of artificial intelligence in schools.
According to the findings, about 56% of school districts responded that students are using generative AI in class or school activities. While 80% of schools provide training on AI usage, only 70% have official AI policies and procedures.
Out of all 50 states, Pennsylvania is the sixth most reliant on local
funding for school districts, according to the report. In the commonwealth, school districts receive 52.4% of funding from local taxes. Only schools in New Hampshire (63.5%), Nebraska (59.1%), Connecticut (56.7%), Texas (55%) and Ohio (53.1%) are more reliant on local funding sources.
Despite the challenges school districts face, they are still doing a good job of providing students with a good education, said Christ.
“If you’re not involved in education and you pick up the report, hopefully you can see our public schools are really dealing with a lot of challenging issues,” said Christ. “And despite those challenges, our schools are doing an excellent job of providing a world-class education. They’re still doing a very good job of providing kids with a well-rounded education.”
Jim & Rick DeLattre
Ohio man hit with beer can at Star Lake sues venue
By Jon Andreassi jandreassi@observer-reporter.com
can at a concert last year is suing The Pavilion at Star Lake for alleged negligence. Law firm Morgan & Morgan filed the law -
suit on behalf of Michael Mollenkopf in Allegheny County last week. Named in the lawsuit are Live Nation, which operates The Pavilion at
Star Lake, Legends Hospitality and Crossroads Properties. Also named is “John Doe,” who is meant to stand-in for the person or entities “responsible
for maintenance, security and/or control” of the concert venue, according to the lawsuit.
This is a drive-thru event. Please stay in your car and our volunteers will assist you. While supplies last.
Live Nation and Legends Hospitality did not respond to requests for comment.
Mollenkopf, of Columbiana, Ohio, attended the Jason Aldean concert Aug. 9 with his daughter, and during the second song the beer can hit him in the back of the head.
The incident prompted an investigation by Hanover Township police. However, it is unlikely anyone will be charged for throwing the beer. Sgt. Kelly Davis said Tuesday that there was a lack of witnesses and video evidence.
“On our end, it’s pretty much a closed case and we were unable to determine a suspect,” Davis said.
Mollenkopf was diagnosed with multiple concussions, and according to the lawsuit, continues to suffer from cognitive issues, short-term memory loss, post-traumatic stress disorder and a stutter.
they had been used as weapons in the past. According to the lawsuit, the venue and vendors failed “to make patrons pour canned drinks into cups or other containers when it was reasonably foreseeable that a can or unopened can could be used as a weapon.”
Morgan & Morgan founder John Morgan and attorney Mark Malone said in a statement that the defendants did not do enough to ensure the safety of those who attended the concert.
“This alleged negligence didn’t just cause our client pain; it left him with a severe speech impediment and other debilitating cognitive issues. We will fight to hold the defendants accountable and compel them to implement stronger safety measures at their venue,” the statement reads.
The beer can incident was not the only instance of violence at the Aldean concert. A video that was shared widely on the internet showed a man assaulting multiple women in the Star Lake parking lot.
Charges have not been filed in that case.
The lawsuit faults the venue for not having staff trained to diffuse violent situations, and not properly assessing potential violence. It also claims the defendants should not have been serving large cans to customers, because they were aware
“We’re still working on that one,” Davis said.
Book Drive!
Position: Assistant Ad Director
What you like about your job: This position combines two delightful roles: partnering with local businesses to reach their goals and leading an incredible group of marketing professionals. The events we host, along with a number of our multimedia campaigns have made profound impacts in Southwestern PA and it’s a pleasure to be apart of them!
What do you enjoy about helping small businesses? The joy I experience from our work does not come from making a sale! I get excited when we see a client reach a goal, overcome an obstacle they were struggling with, and help them in some way to succeed and grow.
What are some of your hobbies?: Bowling, golf, pickleball, tennis, and spending time with my three dogs and wife, Meg!
FILE PHOTO
Michael Mollenkopf and his daughter, Isabella Dickey, are shown at the Jason Aldean concert last year.
Peters Twp. to consider zoning change for tower construction
By Jon Andreassi jandreassi@observer-reporter.com
Peters Township council may soon be considering an ordinance that would open up public property in the municipality to the construction of cell phone towers.
According to Township Manager Paul Lauer, cell phone coverage is spotty in certain parts of Peters.
“One of the problems in Peters Township, there is inadequate cell phone coverage in a number of the neighborhoods. People literally have to go outside their house to use their cell phones,” Lauer said.
He added that currently the rules for cell phone tower construction are “restrictive,” as they can only be built in areas zoned as industrial.
At the March 9 meeting, council members discussed the possibility of an ordinance that would introduce an overlay district that would allow the towers to be built on township property.
“We were just trying to get direction from council if conceptually they would approve
of this, and what kinds of limitations they would like,” Lauer said.
According to Lauer, council would like to limit cell phone towers to 200 feet, and to make sure their construction could only be approved as a conditional use.
“Every application would have to come to council and explain what they’re doing,” Lauer said.
The proposed overlay district would include Peterswood Park, Rolling Hills Park, Venetia Park, Arrowhead Trail at the intersection of Brush Run Road, Peters Township Middle School, Pleasant Valley School, Peters Township High School and Bower Hill School.
“These are large parcels of land which would allow towers to be erected in areas that aren’t up against residential neighborhoods. People are not interested in having these towers located close to their homes,” Lauer said.
There are still several steps before an overlay district would be adopted. Lauer said once an ordinance is drafted, council will consider setting a date for a public hearing.
USC qualifies robotics teams for nationals
Two Upper St. Clair middle school robotics teams are headed to national invitationals after standout performances at the 2025-26 season FIRST LEGO League Pennsylvania State Championship.
Steel Synapse earned first place in the Core Values category for its demonstration of inclusion and gracious professionalism. Starfish Quartz captured the Motivate Award, which recognizes team spirit and enthusiasm.
The state championships were held recently at Palmyra High School near Hershey and featured 36 of the top 388 FLL teams from across Pennsylvania. Participation is by invitation only, with teams qualifying through regional competitions.
Steel Synapse includes seventh-graders from Fort Couch Middle School, including Rayansh Kature, Benny Rovner, Aditya Singh, Siddh Patel, Ayan Sharma, Porter Guarino and Tarun Bharath. The team, which finished sixth at the State Championship.
The team will compete at the international Worcester Polytechnic Institute Annual FLL Event June 11-14 in Worcester, Mass.
“This is an incredible opportunity for our students to represent their school district, our community, and the state of Pennsylvania on an international stage,” Steel Synapse head coach Minnie Sundaram said. “We could not be prouder of their dedication, resilience and teamwork.”
The Starfish Quartz team includes Boyce Middle School sixth-graders Ishanvi Kuppili, Claire McCluskey, Nabanya Raja, Priyal
Baskota and Callie Chen as well as fifth graders Kendall Brown and Lilly Qian. The team will travel to the fifth annual American Robotics Invitational on June 6-7 at Drew University in Madison, N.J., where they will be among 60 high performing teams, representing 41 different FLL regions from across the United States.
In addition to Steel Synapse and Starfish Quartz, a team of sixth-graders from Boyce Middle School, Digital Dominators, also competed at the FLL Pennsylvania State Championship. Team members include Tessa Bins, Pragnya Chetlur, Srinidhi Senthil Kumar, Shreya Nambiar, Seetha Muthiah and Grace Li.
The FIRST LEGO League Challenge emphasizes collaboration and creativity as students in grades 4 to 8 engage in research, engineering, coding and problem-solving. Teams design and program LEGO robots to complete a series of missions while also developing innovative solutions to real-world problems connected to an annual theme.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Steel Synapse includes Rayansh Kature, Benny Rovner, Aditya Singh, Siddh Patel, Ayan Sharma, Porter Guarino and Tarun Bharath.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
The Starfish Quartz team includes Ishanvi Kuppili, Claire McCluskey, Nabanya Raja, Priyal Baskota and Callie Chen as well as Kendall Brown and Lilly Qian.
sports
Wrestlers make mark at PIAA championships
Bring home four medals, one team trophy
By Eleanor Bailey ebailey@thealmanac.net
After putting four athletes on the podium, Mt. Lebanon affixed an exclamation point to its wrestling season when the girls took home the runner-up team trophy during the awards ceremony at the PIAA championships.
During the state finals held from March 5-7 at the GIANT Center in Hershey, Mt. Lebanon claimed one state title, produced two third-place finishers and added a sixth-place medalist, but the Lady Blue Devils brought home the biggest prize. They finished runner-up to Quakertown in the team standings. Quakertown totaled 76 points while Mt. Lebanon tallied a 68 score.
“When we started the season, we knew we had a really great group of athletes but I told them at the first practice we also had a team that could be first in the state. So we focused on performing as a team,” said Lebo head coach Amanda Lebec.
“It’s a happy, joyful experience to know we showed well at states, and focusing on wrestling our best contributed to a good team score. We were already celebrating so much. The team trophy was just the icing on the cake for what we can do together.”
Paige Jox, who finished third in the 148-pound weight class, noted the small contingent the Blue Devils sent to the PIAA championships. In addition to Cole Gibbons on the male side, Jox competed in the female division alongside freshmen
Isla Silva and Camilla Hathaway under the Mt. Lebanon moniker
“To take second, especially only having three girls, makes it difficult to finish high in the team rankings,” she said. “I am so happy with how I did but I am so proud of Isla and Camilla. They have been so amazing this season.”
Silva capped off a 32-3 freshmen year with a PIAA title at 112.
“I could not have been more proud of Isla,” Lebec said. “She relied on her athleticism, fitness and conditioning. She utilized everything in her toolbox and wrestled her match.”
For the second time this season, Silva beat Daylee Watson of Conneaut Area, 6-1, in the 112-pound title bout. Silva had also beaten Watson a week earlier to win the regional crown.
Silva, who was also the WPIAL champion, defeated Morgan Hyland from Easton, 7-4, in a critical semifinal match.
“That was the match we were preparing for because Morgan is such an accomplished wrestler and she had scored on Isla a bit,” Lebec said. “Once we got in the finals, we knew Isla would be facing Daly, whom she had wrestled before.
“Isla never underestimates an opponent,” Lebec continued. “So she focused on her wrestling. She did what she needed to do. She performed so well when she knew what was coming for her. She wrestled her match and focused on herself.”
Noting Silva is just 14 years old, Lebec said her future is “absolutely” bright. She
Chartiers Valley
buries
Exeter with 3-point shots
By Eleanor Bailey ebailey@thealmanac.net
The road to a PIAA basketball championship is paved with potholes like any Pittsburgh street in mid-March when the weather warms. Perhaps, however, the biggest sinkhole for WPIAL teams is coming off winning the District 7 title in front of packed crowds at the Petersen Events Center.
Exeter attempted to throw up a roadblock in Chartiers Valley’s path but the host Colts dodged that cavity and posted a 68-44 victory on Feb. 6 in a first-round state Class 5A playoff game.
“I think it’s hard just because we have such a long layover,” CV coach Corey Dotchin said of the week between playing for the WPIAL title and the start of the PIAA tournament. “We know we’re playing at home and it’s easy to kind of get excited.
“I’m glad that we got this one under our belt and we can get ready and move forward.”
The Colts moved on to the second round of action to face Cocalico, a 61-58 winner over Hampton, because they buried a record 15 long-range shots to dispatch Exeter, which was the ninthplace team out of District 3, sporting a 17-10 record.
Of the 3-point shot Dotchin said, “That’s always a strength for us.
“We shoot every day in practice and these guys are good shooters. And,” he added, “playing at home always helps. Our shooters got the shots that they’ve been taking and making all season.”
It took some time for the shots to finally drop as the Colts and Eagles were engaged in a tight battle throughout much of the first half.
CV lead, 9-7, after the first frame, thanks to triples by Julian Semplice (2) and Logan Helfrick. The duo snapped an 11-11 deadlock by burying back-to-back 3s to take the lead for good.
The Colts, who connected on eight 3-pointers in the game’s first 16 minutes, held a 26-17 halftime advantage before pouring it on in the third quarter. Twenty-one of their points in the frame came off five treys and from Silvas Verzich sinking three foul shots after being fouled beyond the arc as CV’s advantage swelled to 47-33.
The Colts spread the wealth around.
and Hathaway are currently training for the freestyle season and a return to the World Team Trials in Spokane.
“Isla is a phenomenal competitor with big dreams and big goals,” Lebec said.
“Wrestling is a process sport and she sticks to it. With her focus and work on her skills, then big things are sure to come for her.”
With a PIAA title under her belt, Silva has a thirst for more championships. She has set her sights on being a four-time state champion.
“When you win, you never want to finish lower than first at states,” Lebec said.
“The mentality is ‘Let’s get the next one’ but Isla is the type of kid that’s focused on what’s in front of her. She’s still 14 and we want her to focus on that. Her opportunities will come.”
As colleges continue to add women’s wrestling to their athletics lineup, Lebec envisions Silva as a building block. She said that she would love to see Pitt and Penn State start programs.
“Isla wants to represent the United States but she could have a huge impact
on any school, particularly one just getting started. To be part of an inaugural program would certainly be impactful.”
Jox has had that kind of effect on Mt. Lebanon’s program. She started wrestling four years ago when the school started its female program.
In fact, Jox is the only female from Mt. Lebanon to qualify for the PIAA championships for three years.
Last week, Jox finished third overall in the 148-pound weight class.
After scoring two first-period falls in the opening rounds of the competition, Jox dropped a 4-1 decision to Juliet Alt in the semifinals. She roared back with a 9-0 major decision against General McLane’s Whisper Abercrombie and a pin in 3:42 against Pine-Richland’s Giada Campanella to claim the bronze medal.
“I could not be happier for Paige. She has worked so hard for so long,” Lebec said. “After struggling the last two state tournaments, she really came in here and had an amazing tournament.
“This year was so different. There was a lightness about her. She loves what she
does and that has made a difference. She’s also had the technique, the strength and skill but this year, her mindset got her there.”
Jox confirmed that a relaxed outlook helped her throughout the competition.
“My whole thing was don’t be nervous,” she said. “I knew that there would be great wrestlers and tough opponents but I knew that if I stayed calm and worked my offense, it would eventually work out.”
Jox finished the year with a 36-7 record. She is a member of the Century Club with a 106-28 overall record.
“I am really happy with how I did this year, but I am sad because it’s my last year. Even though I am wrestling in college, I really don’t want it to end.”
Before Jox matriculates to Washington and Jefferson College in the fall, she will participate in the Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic. She received her invitation while celebrating after her bronze-medal match.
Zoukovski, Komoroski defend titles
Win 100 freestyle races
Julius Best came off the bench and pumped in 18 points. He buried four, 3-point field goals. Semplice followed with 14 tallies. He had three triples. Verzich pitched in with 13 markers. He had two 3s in the game as did Helfrick, Danny Slizik and Jake Lewis.
“I think that 15 (3-pointers) was probably the most in a game that we’ve had,” Dotchin said.
“It was good because we’re sharing the basketball,” he added. “We have multiple guys that are hitting in rhythm shots. We have all the confidence in our guys to make those shots. That’s why we work on it daily.”
The Colts hit their stride on March 11 against Cocalico. In a second-round PIAA playoff game held at Altoona High School, CV dispatched the Eagles, 62-25. It was the second year in a row the Colts made quick work of Cocalico, winning last year’s second-round state playoff game, 62-29.
The Colts charged ahead 22-5 after one quarter and led 40-10 at intermission.
Playing under the “Mercy Rule” throughout the second half, CV outscored the Eagles, 25-15, in the final 16 minutes of play.
Five players scored in double digits for CV. Luca Federico led with 15 points. Best and Sempliced followed with 14 markers apiece. Logan Helfrick and Jake Lewis pitched in 11 and 10 tallies respectively.
With the win, CV improved to 25-2 overall and advanced to the quarterfinals to face Greater Johnstown, the District 6 winner. The Trojans (20-4) defeated Gateway, 37-27, in their second-round playoff game.
The PIAA Class 5A semifinals are set for March 16 at sites and times to be determined. The state championship game is scheduled for 8 p.m. March 20 at the GIANT Center in Hershey.
CLASS 6A
In PIAA Class 6A boys basketball opening action, Upper St. Clair (25-1) dispatched Cedar Crest, 66-52.
The host Panthers struggled with the No. 8-seed Falcons from District 3 in the first half. Despite opening up a 9-4 advantage on a 3-point field goal by Luke Rickel, USC slipped into a 27-27 tie with Cedar Crest (14-13) at halftime.
The Panthers broke open the contest with a 17-7 edge in the third quarter.
By Eleanor Bailey ebailey@thealmanac.net
In their signature swims, the 100yard freestyle race, Nazar Zoukovski of Upper St. Clair and Ava Komoroski from Peters Township are sure things.
They came into the WPIAL Class 3A championships as defending champions and left the Joseph C. Trees Pool on the University of Pittsburgh Campus with duplicate gold medals. Their triumphs were far from easy.
Zoukovski left the starting blocks seeded third behind his own teammate, Ben Whiteford, and Dom Davis from Mars. He finished first, touching out Davis by a scant seven hundreds of second, for his third title in the race.
“Nazar stepped up,” said USC skipper David Schraven. “When he puts his mind to it, he gets it done. It wasn’t by a lot, but he got it done by enough.”
Zoukovski admitted there was “definitely a lot of pressure” to win his third 100 free championship but felt having Whiteford swimming in Lane 4 “calmed” his nerves.
“We do this in practice all the time so it’s great to have him beside me,” he said.
Zoukovski also indicated he was relieved to win the gold particularly after his “disappointing” showing in the 50 free on Day 1 of the competition. Zoukovski took the bronze in the race, which was won by Davis in 20.26.
“It was a little bummer that the 50 didn’t work out, but I’m glad I came back for the 100 and gave it all that I had.
“I feel like I got a little too excited and my brain kind of shut off during the 50 free, but I kind of kept calm and tried to execute the details for the 100. I’m very excited about the win.”
Zoukovski grew nostalgic thinking about his third championship because it is an indication that his scholastic career is coming to a close. The PIAA championships set for March 11-14 at Kinney Natatorium on the campus of Bucknell Universi-
ty will be his last official high school event donning the USC swimcap.
“I wouldn’t say this WPIAL title is more special because it was so close. I would say that it’s definitely a little sad that it’s my last. Next year it’ll be on to bigger and better things,” said the Arizona recruit.
The best is yet to come as well for Komoroski. Because she is a junior, she too, can become a three-time champion in the 100 free.
She entered this year’s WPIAL meet as the top seed with a more than one second advantage over the rest of the field.
“I knew there was going to be competition, but I was pretty set in my mind that I was going to win it,” Komoroski said.
And, she did.
On Day 2 of racing on Feb. 27, Komoroski won the race in 51.06, .01 seconds faster than her seed time.
“I’m very proud of Ava defending her title,” said PT skipper Alex Hardwick. “It’s one of those things where almost being the winner is more of a nerve wracking experience than being fresh out of a pool swimmer. Cameron Peretti from Woodland Hills was the fish out of nowhere that had sights on toppling the champion. The junior lowered her mark by more than three seconds and finished runner-up with a 51.61 time.
“I just went all out from the very start and I didn’t hold anything back,” Komoroski said. Hardwick concurred.
“She was a lot of fun to watch,” he said. “Ava did a wonderful job taking it out with a lot of confidence, and this time, her last 25 was so much better than last year’s” Komoroski agreed, saying that her “details” (starts, turns, under-water
swims and finish) have improved.
“I just kind of put on my best performance, and I think that really made the difference,” she said. “Although I’m not fully tapered for this meet, I still wanted to win. I won,” she added. “I got what I wanted.”
Komoroski, who grabbed a bronze medal in the 50 free, wanted to do well at the PIAA championships. Last year, she placed ninth in the 50 free and 12th in the 100 at the state meet.
“Yes, on to states,” said Komoroski. “That’s where I’m going to go for it all this time.” That is a vow Hardwick expects Komoroski to keep.
“I think her 100 performance gives her a lot of promise going into states,” he said. Going into Day 2 of the competition, the Peters Township boys reversed their fortunes. DQed on the final event of the first session the day prior, the Indians rebounded to finish fourth in the team standings. North Allegheny won both the boys and girls team championships with whopping scores of 483 and 495 respectively. In the boys team standings, Mt. Lebanon earned the runner-up trophy with 255 points. Thanks to Zouvkovis and Whiteford, Upper St. Clair took third with 224. The duo combined with Danis Vakufac and Tom Howard for runner-up honors in the medley relay as well as the 200 free relay.
Individually, Howard and Vakufac scored sixth and seventh in the IM. Vakufac also finished fourth in the breaststroke. Whiteford added thirds in the 100 free and back.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
The Mt. Lebanon girls wrestling team finished runner-up in the state. The Blue Devils tallied 68 points to finish second behind Quakertown (76 points). Pictured from left are: Carly Jox, head coach Amanda Lebec, Isla Silva, Paige Jox, Camilla Hathaway, Lily Perri, and assistant coach Bob Jox.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Mt. Lebanon wrestlers picked up medals during the PIAA championships.. From left are: Paige Jox (third at 1480: Cole Gibbons (sixth at 160); Camilla Hathaway (third at 155) and Isla Silva (first at 112).
ELEANOR BAILEY
Nazar Zoukovski (left) and Ben Whiteford (right) explode off the blocks at the start of the 100-yard freestyle race at the WPIAL Class 3A swimming championships.
SEE PIAA
Neupaver’s OT goal vaults Peters Twp. into PIHL final
By Eleanor Bailey ebailey@thealmanac.net
In the fall, Cole Neupaver led the Peters Township football team to a WPIAL championship. This winter, he is doing his best to help the school’s ice hockey team capture a PIHL title.
Neupaver scored the game-winning goal in Peters Township’s overtime win against Thomas Jefferson, 4-3, in the semifinals of the Class 3A playoffs. The victory propelled the Indians to the Penguins Cup final set for March 17 at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry. The puck drops at 6:15 p.m. against top-seeded Seneca Valley, which edged Pine-Richland, 2-1, in the other semifinal match-up.
Neupaver, who fueled Peters Township’s comeback win against Pine-Richland, 20-19, with three second-half touchdowns in the WPIAL Class 5A football final on Nov. 21 at Acrisure Stadium, spearheaded the Indians comeback win against the Jaguars on March 9 at the Robert Morris University Island Sports Complex on Neville Island.
With the Indians trailing, 3-1, Neupaver ignited the rally with his first goal, coming with 5:43 remaining in regulation. Brendan Monko assisted the even-strength goal.
At the 14:46 mark of the third period, Carter Meneely scored the equalizer off an assist from Daniel Kovac to force overtime and set the stage for Neupaver’s heroics. Coming off a minor penalty for goaltender interference, Neupaver bolted out of the box, corralled a rebound of Kovac’s shot and deposited it into the net past TJ goalie Ben Balducci for the game winner. Peters Township opened the scoring 12 minutes into the contest. Carter Shoub scored an even-strength goal off an
assist from Brady Holleran. The Jaguars, however, responded with three goals in the second period. Jacob Simon, Ryan Ellis and Michael Burns scored the goals, all of the even-strength variety. Cam Lorenzi assisted all three tallies. Burns and Lucas Blose were also credited with assists.
The Indians put 34 shots on goal against Balducci. Anthony Herman turned back 32 of the 35 shots the Jaguars took for a .914 save percentage.
Previously, Peters Township defeated South Fayette, 5-2, in a quarterfinal contest played March 3 at the Printscape Arena in Southpointe. Brendan Monko scored twice in the victory while Brady Holleran, Cameron Caruso and Chay Lamagna managed single tallies.
Caruso, Blake Evancic, Shoub, Kovac, Neupaver, and Lamagna were credited with assists.
Herman faced 19 shots and stopped all but second-period goals by Nathaniel Keller and Mikhail Lobanov.
Hudson Vennum and Dylan Mach posted assists for the Lions while Jackson Ankrum, bombarded by 41 shots, was credited with 37 saves. In other Class 3A playoff action, Upper St. Clair lost to Seneca Valley, 5-1. In the first-round contest played on March 2 at the Baierl Toyota Ice Complex in Warrendale, Nico Galardini scored the lone goal for the Panthers. Jackson Rose and Nevin Shegan Siniawski assisted the tally that came two minutes into the second stanza and narrowed the gap to one before the Raiders reeled off three unanswered tallies.
Wright puts spin on South Fayette victory
By Eleanor Bailey ebailey@thealmanac.net
McDONALD – At South Fayette, Lailah Wright easily is the female version of a Harlem Globetrotter. For the junior surely knows how to wow the crowd.
During a 64-35 victory over Milton Hershey in a first-round PIAA Class 5A playoff game, Wright contributed nine points, a handful of assists as well as a number of steals but what excited the fans most, bringing them to their feet, was a spin move for a bucket that cemented South Fayette’s supremacy over the Spartans.
“I always did that move when I was younger,” Wright said. “It has always been my thing. One of my signature moves.”
The maneuver and basket occurred at the 3:35 mark of the second quarter as the Lions stretched a 13-point first-frame advantage to 33-11.
“Lailah’s spectacular,” said South Fayette coach Bryan Bennett. “There’s some moves that she’s made throughout the season and you wonder how she does it.
“She’s so athletic, and she’s getting better and better every day. She’s a worker in the gym. She is where she’s at right now because of all the hard work she puts in.”
Wright and the rest of the Lions put the work in prior to taking on the Spartans. They studied film and realized they were going to have to contend with a team that, though it featured a 17-10 record and finished eighth in District 3, sported a taller lineup than their own.
Milton Hershey’s smallest starters measured 5-8 and 6-foot center Journey Wright led the offensive attack. She scored nine points for the Spartans.
“We saw their size on film but when we came here and saw them we were like, they’re big,” Wright said, “but we knew we could run them off the floor and that’s what we did.”
The Lions raced to a 7-0 lead and coasted to
Defend
Peters Township finished with a 159 score for fourth in the boys’ team standings.
“I think for the boys to be in a position where we were pretty much all best times, day one, till that last relay was tough. We finished the day in sixth but worked our way back to fourth place.
“We say, you either win or you’ll learn, so we had some learning (Day 1). We had some winning (Day 2). For the team we have, it’s a great finish.”
The Indians finished strong with a third-place showing behind NA and
ELEANOR BAILEY
Lailah Wright soars to the basket during PIAA Class 5A first-round playoff action. The South Fayette junior scored nine points in a 64-35 win over Milton Hershey.
a 22-9 edge after eight minutes. They led 39-18 at halftime and invoked the “Mercy Rule” at the 2:23 mark in the third stanza when the margin swelled to 53-23.
“We jumped on them right away and I was pleased with that,” Bennett said.
The Lions did not let the weeklong layoff after winning their fourth WPIAL title in five years impact their play.
“This is a veteran group of kids,” Bennett explained. “As the week of practice progressed we gradually got better. Give them credit, they came into the game and wouldn’t have a let down. Being in this position before really does help.”
Bennett also added that scouting the Spartans aided the Lady Lions.
“We watched them on film and they were extremely athletic. I was worried about their size.
Lebo in the 400-yard free relay. John David Lewis, Isaac Lee, Wyatt Stetor and Ryan Smith comprised the unit, which clocked a 3:12.47.
PT also started the meet with fourth in the medley relay with Stetor, Lukas Hartman, Ryan Smith and Logan Hartman. Individually, Stetor finished fourth in the 200 IM and 500 free. Isaac Lee secured sixth and seventh in 50 and 100 free.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The PIAA swimming and diving championships were held March 11-14 at the Kinney Natatorium on the Bucknell University campus. A full report on the competition will appear in the March 22 edition of The Almanac as completed results were not available at presstime.
They’re a big team and they try to exploit you inside.
“Give my kids credit. We did a good job getting them off the block and the first few possessions when they got the ball inside our doubles did a good job of limiting them. I was pleased with our kids’ performances.”
All five starters shone in their area of expertise and three of them finished in double figures.
Juliette Leroux totaled all 13 of her points in the final three quarters. Haylie Lamonde finished with 13 markers, including a 3-point field goal. Ella Vierra pumped in 10 points.
Ryan Oldaker buried three treys to finish with nine points.
South Fayette improved to 26-1 overall and advanced to the second round of the tournament. The Lions played Penn-Trafford (20-6) at Peters Township on March 10. PT WINS
Peters Township had the longest trip of anyone in the WPIAL in the first round of PIAA tournament and worked overtime to return home with a victory.
The Lady Indians defeated Susquehannock, 46-41. They outscored the District 3’s third-place team, 7-2, in the extra period. Peters Township (16-11) held a 35-29 lead heading into the fourth frame before Susquehannock (20-7) tied the game at 39 to force overtime. MaddynMehlledthreePetersTownshipplayers in double figures with 12 points. Alina Sopko scored 11 and Jordyn Welsh chipped in 10. With the victory, the Lady Indians advanced to the round of sixteen in the Class 5A division. They played Manheim Central (18-8) on March 11 at Altoona. The seventh-place finisher in District 3 upended WPIAL runner-up Thomas Jefferson, 43-41, in the opening round of the PIAA tournament. (Results
Buries
Ryan Robbins was the driving force behind USC’s rally. After scoring 12 of his team’s 14 points in the second stanza, he fired in nine markers in the third quarter as USC opened up a 10-point advantage. Robbins finished with 24 tallies. Jake Foster followed with 16 points for the Panthers, who stretched their winning streak to 21 games.
The Panthers received quality minutes and points from Luke Marchinsky, Finn Peggy, Jude Ausi and Andrew Gaither.
USC faced Red Lion (23-4) in a second round game played March 11 at Hollidaysburg. The District 3 third-place finisher was a 69-62 winner over Seneca Valley (14-12) in the first round.
sights & sounds
FORT PITT MUSEUM HOSTS
‘Pittsburgh’s Revolution’
By Brad Hundt bhundt@observer-reporter.com
PITTSBURGH – The war that brought the United States into being is usually thought of as a valiant effort by men in tri-cornered hats and breeches, wielding muskets in order to escape the clutches of a tax-mad king.
It was, like many things in history, a little more complicated than that.
There was outrage over taxation without representation, to be sure, but there were plenty of machinations, intrigue and treaties made
and broken. And despite the perception that much of the action in the Revolutionary War took place at storied East Coast locations like Lexington, Concord, Bunker Hill, Saratoga and Fort Ticonderoga, a location in “the West” like Fort Pitt was not sitting idly on the sidelines. A new exhibit, “Pittsburgh’s Revolution,” at the Fort Pitt Museum in Point State Park, gathers together artifacts and stories from the likes of George Washington and Native American war chief White Eyes to look at the crucial role that Western Pennsylvania played in the
Dubbed the Rose Bowl of amateur wrestling, the scholastic all-star event will be held March 28 at AHN Arena on the Peters Township High School campus. It features the best wrestlers in the WPIAL, state of Pennsylvania and from around the United States. The women’s match will pit Pennsylvania against Oklahoma at 3 p.m.
“I’m super honored to be part of it,” Jox said of the Classic. “It’s a pretty cool event.” Lebec concurred with Jox’s perspective and added that she has brought prestige to the Blue Devil program.
“We are super proud and happy for Paige,” Lebec said. “It’s a historic moment.
“I reminded Paige that she was one of the first girls to sign up when we started Mt. Lebanon’s first girls team. She’s been a part of and responsible for many firsts and we are grateful to her for being that person.” Hathaway is another Lebo grappler responsible for bringing home the team’s first trophy.
After pinning her first two opponents in the state tournament, Hathaway fell to Violette Lasure in 3:40 in the semifinals of the 155-pound weight class. The Chestnut Ridge junior went on to capture her third state gold medal and raise her career record to 104-0 overall.
“Camilla is so driven to be the best and get on top of the podium,” Lebec said. “She had an incredible tournament. She just lost to a tough opponent who doesn’t lose very often.”
Dropped into the consolation brackets after the defeat to Lasure, Hathaway rebounded with two falls. She dropped Dallastown’s Amelia Smith in 49 seconds then dispatched
Revolutionary War. The exhibit is opening just weeks before the NFL Draft begins in Pittsburgh and celebrations of America’s 250th anniversary begin in earnest.
“This is all history and this is all our origin story,” said Mike Burke, the Fort Pitt Museum’s assistant director. “Pittsburgh has a great sense of history and tradition. We want people to come to the museum and check out that history.”
Burke continued, “We wanted to roll out something that outlined Pittsburgh’s role in this foundational conflict.”
Fort Pitt, built about 1760 during the French and Indian War, was a fulcrum of activity when the Revolutionary War broke out a decade-and-ahalf later. Located where the Monongahela, Allegheny and Ohio rivers meet, it was where negotiations happened with Native nations and a central point in defending what was then called the Ohio Country. Burke pointed out it was taxes levied to help pay for the French and Indian War by King George III and Britain’s Parliament that helped spark the Revolutionary War.
“This is what really upset people in the West,” Burke said. “They were upset at the violation of their rights as Englishmen.”
One of the objects in “Pittsburgh’s Revolution” is directly related to this – an original flag created for the Battalion of Westmoreland County in 1775. The flag bears a rattlesnake, a creature coiled and ready to strike, along with the motto “Don’t Tread on Me.”
The exhibit also has a Spanish-made musket that was used in Pennsylvania
Olivia Kroope from Emmaus in 2:42, to claim the bronze medal.
“As disappointed as Camilla was, she put herself in position to wrestle well again by getting into the right mind set,” Lebec said. “That’s part of her great story.”
Hathaway’s narrative, like Silva’s, includes international competition, having already represented the United States during the Pan-American Games. As a freshman, she finished 38-4 this winter and earned WPIAL as well as regional championships in the run-up to the state tournament.
“Placing third is part of the journey, too,” Lebec said. “It’s a great motivator for her for next year. Camilla is such a hard worker and she is so driven to win at all costs. We’re looking forward to preparing her to get to the top of the podium.”
Overall, Lebec couldn’t say enough about the girls and the season they just completed. In addition to winning the Blue Devil Winter Classic, they placed second as a team during the West Regional Tournament before finishing runner-up in the state.
“I am so proud of the girls this season,” Lebec said. “We tried to put the best competition in front of them. They wrestled a tough schedule. Probably the hardest,” she added. “They trained and competed so well. It’s a special group of kids and a special year for Lebo wrestling.”
Cole Gibbons put the finishing touches on the season for Mt. Lebanon. A senior, he grabbed a sixth-place medal at 160.
After opening tournament action with a major decision over Elco’s Klint Miller, 10-2, Gibbons lost to Tommy Schechterly of West Scranton, 2-1, in the quarterfinals. Schechterly went on to finish as the runner-up in the weight class.
“After my first round win I had a lot of confidence in myself,” Gibbons
the Revolutionary War; relics from Hanna’s Town in Westmoreland County, the site of a fierce battle in 1782 that destroyed the community; a sword and pistols used by Gen. William Irvine, the commander of Fort Pitt from 1781 to 1783; a trunk and tea canister used by a Continental Army paymaster to secretly transport money used to pay American troops stationed at Fort Pitt; and a 1777 letter written by Patrick Henry, the Founding Father who proclaimed “Give me liberty, or give me death,” emphasizing the need to defend Fort Pitt “to the last extremity.”
Living history programming will be happening at the Fort Pitt Museum throughout the run of “Pittsburgh’s Revolution,” with 18th-century demonstrations and cannon and artillery firings. A speakers series is also planned.
The Fort Pitt Museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. For information, go online to heinzhistorycenter.org or call 412-281-9284.
said. “Losing such a close match in the quarters was devastating, but I was able to bounce back.”
After dropping into the consolation brackets, Gibbons rebounded with wins against Quakertown’s Logan Pfistner, 4-1, and Jack White of Norwin in an ultimate tiebreaker, 3-2, to assure himself a spot on the podium and a state medal.
Gibbons, however, lost back-toback matches to North Penn’s Jonny O’Brien, 11-2, and Central York’s Nathaniel Replogle, 8-2, to finish sixth overall in the 160-pound weight class.
“I definitely have some mixed emotions about my state tournament,” Gibbons said. “I am proud of myself for medaling, but sad that my high school career is over.”
Cole finished the season with a 41-8 record. In addition to securing sixth in the state at 160, he was a WPIAL winner and a regional runner-up. He compiled a 133-44 overall record in his career.
Cole, like Jox, has been selected to compete in the 52nd annual Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic. The WPIAL All-Stars will take on a team of all-stars from Oklahoma at 4:15 p.m. March 28 at AHN Arena. The Pennsylvania squad will battle a team of all-stars from across the country at 6 p.m.
“I am very honored to be a part of something so historic,” he said of his selection.
With the graduation of Jox and Gibbons, the future belongs to Silva and Hathaway and they are thrilled to move the program forward.
“Our team’s finish says a lot,” Silva said. “More girls are going to be coming up and it’s going to make us better.”
Hathaway added, “We have a bunch of little girls that are all really good and I can’t wait for them to come up because we are going to dominate.”
EGG HUNTS
An egg scramble will be held at 2 p.m.
March 28 on the Great Lawn at Rolling Hills Park. A sensory-friendly event will occur at 2:45 p.m.
Following the bunny hop, participants bring their own basket and hunt in age-appropriate groups. The event is held rain or shine. Fee is $5 ($8 nonmembers).
A flashlight egg hunt will be held on April 2 at Grasshopper Field in Peterswood Park.
Ages 9 to 12 hunt at 8 p.m. Ages 13 to 17 search at 8:30 p.m.
Participants should bring a basket or bag as well as a flashlight.
Registration deadline is March 31. Fee is $5 ($8 nonmembers).
Visit www.peterstownship.com to register online or call 724-942-500 for more information.
CAMPS
Registration for Bethel Park’s summer camp is being accepted.
The camp runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 15 through Aug. 14 and features weekly themes, sports, activities, crafts and field trips. Visit www.bethelpark.recdesk.com to sign up.
The Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History offers a variety of camps beginning in June.
Full-day camps for ages 6 through 13 and half-day camps for ages 4 through 5 are offered at both museums. Additionally, Powdermill Nature Reserve also offers full-day camps for ages 6 through 13.
Teens in grades 9 through 12 can sharpen their artistic skills through Youth Art Studio Summer Sessions at Carnegie Museum of Art, featuring sketching, mixed media, and
ceramics.
Pre- and post-camp care is available to all Oakland campers ages 6 through 13 for an additional fee.
Visit camps.artandnaturalhistory.org for more details.
The Kamin Science Center offers half-day camps for ages 4 and 5 (morning or afternoon) and full-day camps for ages 6 to 14 featuring immersive, project-based STEM experiences as well as pre- and post-camp care options.
From launching rockets and exploring space to engineering challenges, robotics, and creative maker projects, the camps are designed to
LEBO
during
BRAD HUNDT
ABOVE: Mike Burke, assistant director of the museum, with a “Don’t Tread on Me” flag
BELOW: A rendering of Fort Pitt
BRAD HUNDT
ABOVE: Powder horns on display.
BELOW: Relics from Hanna’s Town, the site of a 1782 Revolutionary War battle in Westmoreland County
HUNDT
ABOVE: A trunk used by a Continental Army paymaster to secretly transport money to pay troops stationed at Fort Pitt can be seen in the exhibit.
BELOW: Weapons on display in the exhibit “Pittsburgh’s Revolution” at the Fort Pitt Museum.
10-4 p.m.
MARCH 21, 2026
• Up-close encounters with exotic animals from Wild World of Animals
Additional parking at Eaton Corporation
There is something for the entire family at Kids Fest including
• Magical sing-a-longs with Royal Princess Engagements
• The thrilling Mascot Mashup Race …who will take the crown?
• Local non-profits offering valuable family resources
• Engaging healthy activities to keep you moving
• Unique shopping experiences with local vendors
• Delicious food trucks serving up tasty bites
• and more!
Adagio Health
Allegheny Land Trust
Ambulance and Chair EMS
Another You Face Painting
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh
Blueprints
Bradford House
CASA for Kids
Chrome Federal Credit Union
Citizens Library
Cornerstone Care Inc.
Cricket
D & D Kettle Corn
DJ Jammin’ Jodi
Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern PA (DVSSP)
D Soda Company
Edward Jones Investments
Ekernally Yours Gourmet Popcorn & Sweet Treats
Eric Tomlinson-Children’s Book Author/Illustrator
Fat Cat Mac Attack Food Truck
First Federal of Greene County
Forlini’s Kitchen
Frost Fairy
GG&C Bus Co.
Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania
Glowzone
Gobbie Chiropractic Center
Groundworks
Happiness is Homemade
Highmark Wholecare
Howard Bender caricatures
In The Now Counseling
Ivy Rehab for Kids
Jodi’s Jazzlin’ Jems
John F. Kennedy Catholic School
KID MANIA Consignment Sales
Laurel Highlands Council
- Anawanna Trails District - Scouting America
League of Women Voters of Washington County
Little Bear and Bean Boutique
Our Laughing Place Travel
PaperPie
Printscape Arena at Southpointe
Rain Day Festival
Reach Cyber Charter School
Renewal by Andersen Rubydogg Co.
State Farm
South Pike Pioneers 4-H Club
The Ivy Green
Tiny Little Knots
UPMC Dental
UPMC Washington
Vintage Grace Boutique
Vision Services of Washington-Greene
Washington County Bar Foundation
Washington County Behavioral Health and Development Services
$195. Email rick7447@yahoo.com Rototiller rear tine. 17” Craftsman. Good condition. $150 724-225-3172 RUN TILL SOLD! Sell Your Merchandise $301 & up for just $19.99* (*for 3
CEMETERY PLOTS (4 plots) Jefferson Memorial Cemetery, located in “Garden of the Virtues”, will subdivide. $2,000 412-221-0956
COMPANION LAWN CRYPT Crypt for 2 at Forest Lawn Gardens, McMurray, Devotion section, Lot 117-B. $6,500, will negotiate. Call 386-416-9605 FOREST LAWN GARDENS 2 spaces in Garden of Devotion, 2 burial vaults, Tier #156-C, Level 3 and 4. Includes transfer fee.
$5,000 obo. 724-267-4858
JEFFERSON MEMORIAL
CEMETERY - Companion lawn crypt for 2, in the Garden of the Pillars of Faith, Lot #1270.
$4,500. I will pay transfer fee and endowment fee. 412-831-0433
MT. LEBANON CEMETERY Companion crypt, lower level by Peaceful Fountain, location 13B, Level 4. New is $25,000. Selling for $18,500. Call Rose, 973-610-7726 or email: roseikelly@gmail.com
WASHINGTON CEMETERY Three plots, Section 12.
$2,200 each or best offer. Call for information, 727-831-9920
EXERCISE BIKE - Recumbent. Like new. $125. 724-632-6810
GENERATOR - Wen 5600 watt. New, never used. $275. 724-428-3813
Golf Cart 1985 gas easy go , excellent condition
$1,475 will neg 412-780-7735
GOLF CLUBS - Full set, Buick Motor Division endorsed. Used very little. $125. Bill, 412-952-9253 (Washington)
GUN STOCK - For AR15, slidefire, bumpstock, new. Text me for photos. $99. 724-984-5368
HANDGUN - 9mm, 8 shot.HI -point. Brand new in box! $199. Text for more pix, 724-984-5368 All firearm sales must comply with all state and federal regulations.
MODEL TRAINS - LGB G-scale. Large collection of locomotives, cars and track. $1,950. Email rick7447@yahoo.com for list of items. (Venetia)
