Six Westmoreland softball teams clinch

With more than a week remaining in the WPIAL softball section schedule, six Westmoreland County teams have already secured playoff berths. Thus far, the Westmoreland qualifiers include Hempfield Area, Penn-Trafford, Franklin Regional, Mount Pleasant Area, Southmoreland, and Jeannette. In Class 6A, the Spartans sit atop the standings with a section mark of 10-0. Similarly, the Warriors pace Class 5A Section 2 at 11-0, clinching at least a share of the section title, while the Panthers are in second place in the section at 8-1. In Class 3A, the Vikings pace Section 1 at 7-2, capturing the section title, while the Scotties are in second at 5-3. Lastly, the Jayhawks sit atop the standings in Class 1A Section 3 at 6-0. Other Westmoreland County teams that would qualify if the postseason commenced today include Norwin in Class 6A, Greater Latrobe in 5A, Derry Area and Belle Vernon Area from 4A, and Ligonier Valley in 3A.

Norwin baseball extends winning streak

After a sluggish start to the season, Norwin baseball continued its scorching turnaround last week, as the Knights notched a pair of victories to extend their winning streak to seven games. Last Tuesday, Norwin claimed a 3-2 win at Greater Latrobe, and followed with another road triumph on Wednesday, 3-0 at North Hills. Against the Wildcats, Brayden Wardzinski earned the win on the mound, also contributing an RBI, while Nate Silberman had a pair of hits and a run batted in. The following day against the Indians, Caden Sivrich tossed six scoreless innings, allowing just one hit while striking out seven. Additionally, Ben Geissler went 2-for-4 with two RBIs for the Knights, while Trevor Vitsas also posted a run batted in. Norwin, which has already secured a playoff spot with a 6-3 record in Class 6A Section 2, improved to 10-6 overall on the campaign.

Wildcats headline latest volleyball rankings

A quartet of Westmoreland County boys teams made the cut in the latest Western Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association rankings. The poll, released today, lists Greater Latrobe as No. 2 in the Class 3A rankings, while Penn-Trafford and Hempfield Area place sixth and ninth, respectively. Meanwhile, Derry Area is tabbed ninth in Class 2A. The Wildcats, who have already clinched a postseason spot, held steady from last week’s ranking, sitting behind only North Allegheny. Additionally, Greater Latrobe junior libero Gabe Watson was recognized as one of the Class 3A Players of the Week. The Warriors, meanwhile, moved up a couple of spots, while the Spartans dropped two places. The Trojans, who have secured a playoff berth in Class 2A, also held steady from last week’s rankings.

Norwin sweeps titles at WCCA T&F

The Knights reigned supreme at the Westmoreland County Coaches Association (WCCA) Track and Field Championships last Thursday at Latrobe’s Memorial Stadium. Norwin took gold in both the boys and girls Class 3A team competitions, while Ligonier Valley and Greensburg Central Catholic won the boys and girls Class 2A titles, respectively. The Norwin boys were led by Ryan Schiller, who earned the track MVP, while teammate Jeremiah Francis took the mixed MVP. Meanwhile, Logan Kerstetter of Penn-Trafford received the field MVP. On the girls side, Melani Schmidt anchored the Knights, receiving the track MVP honors. Representing the Centurions, Eva Denis garnered the mixed MVP accolade. The Hempfield Area duo of Maddie Tulley and Katherine Dolinski shared the field MVP.

Derry Area’s Smeltzer steps down

After guiding Derry Area golf for more than a decade, Tracy Smeltzer has stepped down as head coach. Smeltzer oversaw both the boys and girls teams for the Trojans, leading the boys squad to considerable success during her tenure. In a dozen campaigns, she compiled a mark of 110-53, helping the Trojans boys win section crowns five times. During that time, Hunter Jurica captured the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Individual Championship in 2022. Additionally, the girls team went 31-94, winning a pair of section titles under Smeltzer’s guidance.

Bearcats tab Gallagher for MSOC

Saint Vincent College announced the hiring of Tyler Gallagher as its new men’s soccer coach last Friday. Gallagher previously served as an assistant coach at Denison University. His head coaching experience came at the high school ranks, as he guided national powerhouse Hoosac School. In the fall, the Bearcats went just 2-11-6 overall, including 1-8-1 in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC). Matt Davis previously oversaw the SVC program, leading the Bearcats for three campaigns.