Monday, April 29, 2013

Bulldog Tilts and Legs Wrestling Camp

   The Bulldog Tilts and Legs Camp for 2013 will be held May 20-23 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Claysburg-Kimmel High School Wrestling Room. Cost is $50, with any coaches attending free with wrestlers. The camp clinician is Claysburg coach Dave Marko, and the counselors are A.J. Schopp and Corey Aungst. Schopp is a former state champion and four-time PIAA medalist from Tyrone, and he placed fourth at nationals this past season for Edinboro University. Aungst wrestled for Marko at Claysburg, placing at states as a senior. He currently wrestles at UPJ.

   The camp philosophy is focused on riding from the top position as well as scoring back points on elite wrestlers. For more information and to sign up for the camp, contact Coach Marko at 814-931-8894.

Friday, April 26, 2013

District 5 Wrestling website needs a new home

   This week, I informed Tom Elling that I would not be able to continue as his Pennsylvania Wrestling District 5 website promoter as part of his statewide network. When I first inquired to him five years ago about taking on this venture, I had more time and figured I would be able to update scores and local wrestling news without much of a problem. At the time, I believe that District 5 was one of only two districts in the state that didn't have a website presence. That previous season, Chestnut Ridge's Gary Pfahler had won a state title, while Bedford was a state semifinalist in the Class AA State Duals. Having been made aware of wrestlers such as North Star's Nick Roberts and Bedford's Ryan Easter coming up through the ranks, I felt strongly that District 5 deserved representation on Tom's site.

   While the website never evolved into what I exactly had hoped, I did my best to post scores from dual meets and tournaments, any milestones, and historical information. Unfortunately this year, I ran into the age old problem of not enough time. I started this blog and it picked up strongly in the fall, and the response that I received from all of you was tremendous. During wrestling season, much of the information that I posted on here would have been on there, so if you went to that site looking for something, I apologize. Since beginning the D5 website, I was later named Sports Editor at the Bedford Gazette, which gave me extra responsibilities. I also have had exciting changes in my life outside of work, so the website suffered. And it's not fair to Tom, District 5, or any of the fans to still stay on as that person when someone else might have the time and the know-how to do things a little better and quicker.

   I don't know what Tom's plans are, but if anyone is interested in being the District 5 representative on his PA Wrestling homepage (no pay involved, just love for the sport), I would contact him at tom@pawrsl.com.

Top Wrestling Recruits - Class of 2014

   PA Power Wrestling has just released its top 200 recruits (Class AA and AAA) for next year's senior class. Several local wrestlers are mentioned, headlined by Bedford's Ryan Easter at 19th. Easter is a three-time state medalist, finishing second this past season at 120 pounds. I have listed the top 5 below along with any locals, plus others from District 5 and District 6.

PA Power Wrestling
Top 5 Recruits for 2013-14
1. Chance Marsteller, Kennard-Dale
2. Solomon Chishko, Canon-McMillan (verbal commitment to Virginia Tech)
3. Thomas Haines, Solanco (verbal commitment to Penn State)
4. Jason Nolf, Kittanning
5. Joe Galasso, Father Judge

D5 and D6 Top Recruits
19. Ryan Easter, Bedford
28. Justin Patrick, Ligonier Valley
35. Austin Buttry, Chestnut Ridge
52. Morgan Selepack, West Branch
82. Nick Naglic, Richland
106. Gavin Berkley, Meyersdale
123. Garrett Thomas, Bedford
134. Landon Lohr, Somerset
139. Jared Beckwith, Tyrone
156. Damian Huff, Hollidaysburg
165. Nico Pecora, Richland
174. Chad Reese, Central Mountain
176. Toby Brett, Bedford
188. Kyle Kahley, Mifflin County

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Chestnut Ridge Summer Wrestling Camp

   I have just received information regarding Chestnut Ridge's annual summer wrestling camp, courtesy of Lions' coach Greg Lazor, this year's PIAA Class AA State Coach of the Year. The best part of the camps may be that they are free to all participants.

Dates - All camps held at Chestnut Ridge High School
Elementary (Grades 1-6): June 17-18 from 9-11 a.m.
Junior High (Grades 6-9): June 17-19 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Varsity (Grades 9-12): June 19-22 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

   Camps consist of wrestling technique sessions and live wrestling. Camp clinicians include Coach Lazor, other area coaches, and current Chestnut Ridge wrestlers. For more information or to obtain a signup form, contact Greg at glazor@crsd.k12.pa.us.

Updated League Standings

Here are updated standings for local baseball and softball, after Tuesday's games.
(League record first, then overall record)

Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference Baseball
Bedford 7-1, 8-1
Somerset 7-1, 10-2
Bishop McCort 7-2, 9-2
Richland 6-3, 6-3
Cambria Heights 5-3, 6-3
Bishop Guilfoyle 4-3, 5-4
Forest Hills 2-4, 2-4
Central Cambria 2-6, 2-6
Penn Cambria 2-6, 2-7
Westmont 2-6, 3-7
Johnstown 1-5, 2-5
Bishop Carroll 1-6, 2-6

Sideling Hill League Baseball
McConnellsburg 6-1, 9-1
Everett 4-1, 5-1
Northern Bedford 8-2, 9-2
Southern Fulton 7-2, 10-3
Chestnut Ridge 4-2, 5-4
Forbes Road 1-6, 3-6
Tussey Mountain 1-7, 1-7
Fannett-Metal 0-7, 0-10
 
Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference Softball
Johnstown 6-1, 7-1
Cambria Heights 6-1, 6-1
Penn Cambria 6-1, 6-2
Westmont 4-2, 4-2
Somerset 4-2, 6-3
Richland 4-3, 4-3
Central Cambria 3-4, 3-4
Bishop McCort 3-5, 3-5
Bishop Carroll 2-4, 2-4
Forest Hills 2-4, 2-6
Bedford 0-6, 0-7
Bishop Guilfoyle 0-7, 0-7
 
Sideling Hill League Softball
Chestnut Ridge 5-1, 7-1
Forbes Road 5-2, 5-4
Everett 2-2, 5-4
Fannett-Metal 7-3, 8-5
Tussey Mountain 3-5, 4-6
Northern Bedford 2-5, 2-8
McConnellsburg 1-5, 1-8
Southern Fulton 3-6, 5-8

Monday, April 15, 2013

Pennsylvania Wrestling Day announced

   The upcoming month of May has been declared World Wrestling Month. In addition, May 15 will be Pennsylvania Wrestling Day. Show support for the sport and its hopeful inclusion in the Olympic program by wearing wrestling related apparel or posting something on your Facebook, Twitter or other outlets.

   This initiative was proclaimed by the PA State Senate today. It was sponsored by state senator Bob Robbins.

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Softball News and Notes - April 11

Local standings through April 10
Chestnut Ridge, 4-1
Claysburg, 3-1
Everett, 2-1
Tussey Mountain, 2-3
HOPE for Hyndman, 2-4
Northern Bedford, 1-5
Bedford, 0-4

Claysburg riding the Coho effect
   As I noted in Tuesday's Bedford Gazette game coverage from Claysburg's win over West Branch, pitching was the biggest question mark for the Lady Bulldogs heading into this season.
   Losing a player of Ronette Claar's caliber will do that. However, Kiersten Coho, who predominantly played first base last year, is giving Claysburg a very strong replacement for Claar, who led the team to two District 6-A titles, four state tournament appearances, and two trips to the Class A state semifinals in her four years of high school ball.
   Coho, a junior, notes that she received a lot of help from her former teammate, mostly in the mental aspect of pitching.
   "She really taught me how to just be confident in the (circle)," said Coho. "She never gave up and never backed down, and I'm just trying to model myself that way."
   Claysburg coach Mike Barbarini has been impressed in how well Coho has picked things up.
   "She's been solid all year," he said. "Up at Mount Union (4-3 loss), she only gave up a few hits. At Bellwood (1-0 win), she only gave up a few hits, and here (Tuesday's 5-0 victory), she only gave up a couple.
   "Kiersten's come so far over the past year with her pitching. There's really not a big step down between her and Ronette. And she's just going to get stronger with the more games that she's in."
Everett frosh making a difference
   There are four freshmen on Everett's roster this spring, and with only 12 girls overall, many of them were pegged as either everyday starters or regular contributors.
   While the move up from the junior high ranks can be a tough one sometimes, these Lady Warriors are making it look pretty easy.
   But they have been making waves in softball for years. Back in the summer of 2009, the four ninth-graders - Hannah Laidig, Kadie Morral, Raelyn Rice, and Allison Snider - all had a big hand in an Everett youth team taking second place in the state in the 10-11 age group for softball.
   I had the chance to cover a good many of those games that summer (which also makes me feel much older having seen these girls play for years) and knew that the future of Lady Warrior softball was a bright one.
Weekly Glance
   The big game this week is today's foray between Chestnut Ridge and Everett at the Lady Lions' field. Ridge has won the last four District 5-AA titles and is poised to make it five, but the aforementioned youth movement at Everett should make this game, and the rest of the season interesting.

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

District 5 Scholarship winners

  The annual Scholarship Award winners from District 5 were named during today's district committee spring meeting. This year's honorees are Blaire Lauthers from Fannett-Metal, Samantha Emert from Rockwood, Brock Medva from Shade, and Jacob Ashkettle from Southern Fulton.
  While none of the four are from schools in my local coverage area, I've seen them all from time to time and wanted to give them the recognition they deserve. I have seen plenty of Lauthers over the past few years, especially in softball, where she led the Lady Tigers to last year's Class A state title.
  Below is a short bio on each of this year's winners. Thanks to Paul Leonard of Shade for the accompanying photo.

    Pictured from left to right are 2012-13 District 5 Scholarship winners Blaire Lauthers, Samantha Emert, Brock Medva, and Jacob Ashkettle.

Scholarship Biographical Information
Blaire Lauthers - ­ Fannett-Metal High School
  Blaire is the daughter of Ricky and Jenny Lauthers of Doylesburg. She has earned twelve (12) varsity letters in three (3) sports: volleyball, basketball, and softball. She plans to attend Saint Francis University to major in Physical Therapy. Her career goal is to work hard to earn a Doctorate of Physical Therapy Degree, and to find a sustainable occupation as a physical therapist.

Samantha Emert - ­ Rockwood Area High School
  Samantha is the daughter of John and Kathy Emert of Rockwood. She has earned eleven (11) varsity letters in three (3) sports: volleyball, basketball, and softball. She is undecided on her choice of university and would like to study Physical Therapy. Her career goal is graduate from college with a master¹s degree in Physical Therapy and to open her own successful physical therapy practice.

Brock Medva - ­ Shade ­ Central City High School
  Brock is the son of John and Shari Medva of Cairnbrock. He has earned twelve (12) varsity letters in three (3) sports: football, basketball, track and field. He is undecided on his choice of university and would like to major in Physical Therapy, or Athletic Training. His career goal is to pursue a career in physical therapy.

Jacob Ashkettle - ­ Southern Fulton High School
  Jacob is the son of Joseph and Bonnie Ashkettle of Warfordsburg. He has earned eleven (11) varsity letters in three (3) sports: cross country, basketball, and track and field. He plans to attend Bucknell University to study Engineering. His career goal is to graduate with a BS degree and start his own business designing automotive parts.

About the District 5 Athletic Director's Scholarships
  During the past seven years, the District V Athletic Director¹s Association has awarded 28 total scholarships, totaling $21,000 to deserving District V student athletes. Proceeds from our annual District V All Star Basketball games and money generated from 50/50 sales at numerous District V Championship events support our scholarship fund. The public¹s support of our All Star Game, and 50/50 sales enable the District V Athletic Director¹s Association to award scholarships annually to deserving District V student athletes.

Monday, April 1, 2013

Flonationals, NHSCA locals

  A handful of wrestlers from Bedford County (all of them are Chestnut Ridge) are on the entry lists for either of this weekend's big wrestling events. The Flonationals are taking place close to home at IUP from Friday-Sunday. For info, check out the website here.
  The entries for Flonationals are a bit confusing, as some wrestlers are listed multiple times, and some are listed at multiple weights. I saw one wrestler was listed four times.
  The NHSCA Nationals will take place in Virginia Beach. For info, go to the website here.
  If anyone knows of wrestlers from the Bedford County schools involved in either tournament, let me know by posting a comment.

Local entries for Flonationals
Middle School - Justin McCoy, Chestnut Ridge (listed at both 95 and 100)

Local entries for NHSCA Nationals
Freshman Nationals
106 - Aaron Burkett, Chestnut Ridge
170 - Conner Buttry, Chestnut Ridge
Sophomore Nationals
132 - Derrick Claar, Chestnut Ridge
Junior Nationals
285 - Austin Buttry, Chestnut Ridge
Senior Nationals
182 - Tyler Dibert, Chestnut Ridge