Other Local category, Page 22
Level Green native Brandon Svoboda is poised to be an NHL draft pickVideo
Within the span of less than a week, Brandon Svoboda had two profound reasons to celebrate. The most recent occasion came Thursday when he graduated from Penn-Trafford. And six days earlier, he had something much larger over his head than a green mortarboard affixed with a yellow tassel. On May...
Latrobe alum Zach Kokoska having big month in High-A league
Zach Kokoska is burning up the Northwest League as he makes inroads to his dream of playing in the majors. The former Latrobe and Kansas State baseball star has been on an offensive tear of late, hitting safely in 14 of his last 18 games for the High-Class A Spokane...
Hempfield’s Callie Sowers, Penn-Trafford’s Emma Little lead Bloomsburg softball on improbable runVideo
In 35 years in the dugout at Bloomsburg, coach Susan Kocher has seen a lot of softball. She has seen plenty of milestones, plenty of ups, plenty of downs. But few of her experiences could match what her team did this spring. The Huskies had to win a game on...
Shaler notebook: Extreme sports athlete competes in Russian sky running event
Richard Burgunder III returned to competition this year and was one of the outsiders at the International Festival Red Fox Elbrus Race at Mount Elbrus, Russia. Burgunder, a 43-year-old Shaler native, was one of two Americans competing in the event. Following a seven-year layoff from competition, Burgunder placed 49th in...
West Mifflin native Logan Cooley to remain at Minnesota for sophomore season
Forward Logan Cooley, a native of West Mifflin, will return to the University of Minnesota for his sophomore season of 2022-23. The school announced Cooley’s decision on Friday. As a freshman in 2022-23, Cooley was dominant. Appearing in 39 games, he was third in the nation in scoring with 60...
Preparations underway for Freeport International Baseball Invitational
France will be back. Chuck Sarver, president of the Freeport International Baseball Invitational, said Friday that planning continues to move forward for this year’s event July 25-29 on fields throughout the Alle-Kiski Valley. A team from the same town and league in France that was represented last year will return...
Devin Gee, Mike Van Sickle advance to U.S. Open qualifier
Oakmont head pro Devin Gee and Pine-Richland grad Mike Van Sickle were among the four golfers to advance to the U.S. Open Sectional from The Club at Nevillewood on Monday. Van Sickle and Youngstown State assistant golf coach Brandon Pluchinsky shot 3-under-par 69s, and Gee and Cal (Pa.) grad Ryan...
Sewickley Academy grad Li advances to U.S. Open Sectional
Sewickley Academy graduate Jason Li became the fourth player from the Pittsburgh area to qualify for the United States Golf Association Sectional qualifiers in late May and early June. Li qualified at a local qualifier May 2 at Hamilton Farm Golf Club in Gladstone, N.J., by shooting a 69. Li...
Ex-Hampton star catcher Bella Henzler makes immediate impact for James Madison softball
In Bella Henzler’s first game at James Madison, she hit a ball into the left-centerfield gap and raced around the bases for an inside-the-park home run. She hasn’t slowed down since. Henzler, a former Hampton all-state catcher, started all 46 regular-season games for the JMU softball team, batting clean-up for...
World’s best golfers to face more daunting test after renovations at Oakmont Country Club
When Scottie Scheffler steps up to the tee box for the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club, some of the world’s most notable greens might look a bit farther away. As Jon Rahm eyes an approach shot, he will have to navigate around certain bunkers a bit differently. Rory...
Are sports a pass-fail proposition? Local coaches, just like Giannis Antetokounmpo, don’t think so
Sam Albert has experienced his fair share of wins and losses after 28 years coaching football. However, it might come as a surprise to learn that for Albert, who enters his seventh season at Kiski Area this fall, determining a successful year vs. one he deems substandard does not have...
North Hills grad Margo Malone wins Pittsburgh Marathon in hometown
Margo Malone was no stranger to running marathons, but Sunday’s 26.2-mile race on the streets of Downtown Pittsburgh was her first in her hometown. Hearing the cheers from the thousands of spectators who lined the course and the loud response heading down the home straightaway, the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team...
Penn-Trafford notebook: P-T grad Alex Turowski honored by Mountain East Conference
Alex Turowski, a sophomore at Fairmont State, was honored by the Mountain East Conference following his second round at the MEC Spring Classic at Edgewood Country Club. The Penn-Trafford graduate earned MEC honorable mention honors. The All-MEC men’s golf team is selected based on individual performances by players during five...
Elite runners look forward to challenge at 2023 Pittsburgh Marathon
The Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon and UPMC Health Plan Half Marathon returned last year from a two-year in-person hiatus to much fanfare, and race officials are confident the momentum gained from a successful, albeit rain-soaked, 2022 event will carry over to this weekend’s stacked lineup celebrating the event’s 15th...
Minor league baseball update: Matijevic drives in 8 runs; Kokoska on a tear
While JJ Matijevic is waiting for his next call-up to the Houston Astros, the former Norwin star is giving Sugar Land Space Cowboys fans their money’s worth. Matijevic, back in Triple-A after seeing action in 32 games last season and earning a World Series ring with Houston as a member...
3 local golfers advance to U.S. Open sectional
Qualifying for the U.S. Open in Los Angeles has begun with local qualifiers, and three golfers from the Pittsburgh Area have earned spots in the sectional qualifiers in late May and early June. The United States Golf Association’s 123rd U.S. Open has numerous qualifiers going on. The Pittsburgh qualifier will...
After year on bench, Hempfield grad Emma Hoffner making mark for Ohio U softball teamVideo
Throughout her time as a softball player, Emma Hoffner grew accustomed to watching games from behind the plate. An accomplished catcher at Hempfield and in travel ball, Hoffner had the best spot to not only watch the action but to exercise a degree of control over it: calling pitches, making...
Penn Hills grad Yasmine Logan finding comfort, success at Ohio U
Building relationships and the ability to maintain them is something Yasmine Logan came by honestly. The 2020 Penn Hills graduate learned through life communication is easier when things are direct. When Logan went to Ohio University to play softball, not much changed about her approach. When things need to be...
Mt. Lebanon grad Colby Sorsdal goes to Lions in Round 5
Mt. Lebanon graduate Colby Sorsdal started five seasons and 46 games at William & Mary, but his football career is far from finished. .@WMTribeFootball @colby_sorsdal is a day 3 prospect who wasn’t invited to the combine was has 4 critical components; he has size, he has experience , moves very...
Plum graduate puts down tennis racket, picks up competitive bodybuilding
Carson France put himself on the map in athletics as a tennis player at Plum, where he represented the Mustangs at No. 1 singles and qualified for the WPIAL singles championships before graduating in 2015. He continued his education and his tennis career at Duquesne. He doesn’t look like a...
Rain cancels racing at Lernerville Speedway
Mother Nature has put a halt to Friday’s racing schedule at Lernerville Speedway. Rain is expected to continue throughout the day and into the evening, and track officials have canceled the Fab4 Revved Up with Marburger Farm Dair events. Next Friday, May 5, Fab4 will return, weather permitting, featuring the...
Latrobe’s Deshawn Redfield captures Golden Gloves championship
After years of battling on the football field, Deshawn Redfield found himself chasing after his No. 1 dream. Redfield grew up watching boxing with his family and made the decision to start training at Ground Zero in Latrobe while he was in college. His training has paid off. On April...
Franklin Regional grad Auston Kranick making strides in professional soccer
Playing in front of his team’s home fans last year in the U.S. Open Cup, Auston Kranick sought reaffirmation and comfort in his surroundings. Was this really happening? Had his lifelong dream of playing professional soccer actually come true? The Flower City Football Club player took in the scenery and...
Passion kicks off season at D.C. looking for 21st playoff berth
The Pittsburgh Passion have accomplished something the Steelers and Penguins have not: qualified for the playoffs for 20 consecutive seasons. Coach Teresa Conn, in her 12th season, hopes team will make it 21 after the team completes its six-game schedule in the Women’s Football Alliance. The Passion opens the season...
Bigger purses to propel drivers as Lernerville Speedway opens 56th year of racing
When the gates open at Lernerville Speedway to begin the 56th year of racing Friday night, the drivers entering them will have a little more incentive. Track officials announced Tuesday there will be a purse increase for 2023 Fab 4 weekly racing. The 410 sprint car and Super Late Model...
