Wildcats football runs past Knights

Keyed by a monster rushing performance by the duo of Alex Tatsch and John Wetzel, Greater Latrobe football claimed an impressive 42-28 win at Norwin last Friday. Tatsch, a Penn State commit, rushed for 251 yards and four scores, while Wetzel compiled 156 yards and a TD on the ground. Tatsch opened the scoring with a 3-yard surge, and Wetzel followed with a 39-yard run. Norwin QB Tristyn Tavares responded with a 35-yard rushing score of his own, but Tatsch answered with an 8-yard TD run to stake GL to a 21-7 halftime lead. Another Tavares TD run early in the third trimmed Norwin’s deficit, but Tatsch and Brady Prohovic scored consecutive TDs to put Greater Latrobe back in command. A pair of touchdowns passes by Tavares sandwiched a long Tatsch TD run in the fourth. In the defeat, the Knights quarterback hit on 16-of-32 attempts for 273 yards, and Jake Knight registered five receptions for 106 yards and a TD. With the win, the Wildcats improved to 3-0 overall, and they open Class 5A Big East Conference play at Franklin Regional this Friday.

Pitzer denied eligibility with transfer to Derry Area

Dylan Pitzer, one of the top high school wrestlers in Westmoreland County, has been ruled ineligible to compete on the mat this season by the WPIAL. After participating in both football and wrestling at Mount Pleasant Area in his first two years, Pitzer transferred to Derry Area this summer. Last Tuesday, the WPIAL denied him wrestling eligibility for his junior season after his transfer was flagged for possible athletically-motivated intent. However, he was cleared to play football with the Trojans during the regular season, but will be ineligible for playoff competition in 2024. As a wrestler, Pitzer has amassed a record of 79-16 in his career, finishing as the WPIAL runner-up and placing fourth in the state last season at 285 pounds. Derry Area can request an eligibility hearing to be scheduled later this month.

Vikings girls soccer remains perfect

A few weeks into the WPIAL girls soccer season, Mount Pleasant Area is the lone Westmoreland County team that boasts a perfect record. The Vikings maintained their unblemished mark with a pair of wins last week, as they dominated on the road against Ligonier Valley 10-0 on Wednesday, and added a 2-1 win at South Park on Saturday. In the matchup against the Rams in their Class 2A Section 4 opener, the Vikings received a hat trick from Morgan Gesinski, while Rylin Bugosh and Isabel Overly each notched a pair of goals. Three days later against the Eagles, Overly and Maddie Barrick found the back of the net, while Bugosh dished out two assists in a marquee nonsection showdown. Thus, the Vikes moved to 4-0-0 overall, including 1-0-0 in section play.

Cavaliers volleyball prevails in outdoor match

The Kiski Area girls volleyball team prevailed against Norwin in the annual Pack the Park outdoor match last Tuesday. Playing at the Ellen Toy Court at Kennedy Park in Vandergrift, the Cavaliers edged the Knights 3-2 (25-23, 13-25, 25-19, 17-25, 15-5), winning for the third year in a row in the matchup. The event raises funds for the We Serve First Foundation, which honors the memory of former Kiski Area player and coach Ellen Toy, who died in 2016.

Griffins volleyball off to stellar start

Seton Hill University women’s volleyball opened the 2024 campaign with four wins over the weekend. Competing in the Malone/Walsh Tournament, the Griffins bested Walsh University and Lake Erie College on Friday. Seton Hill edged the Cavaliers 3-2, with Paige Cole notching 24 kills. In the 3-1 win against the Storm, Maddie Stout compiled 14 digs, while Ella Deeter registered three aces. The following day, the Griffins knocked off Thomas More University and Malone University, both in straight sets. Against the Saints, Catie Flohr notched a dozen kills and four blocks, while Abby Oesterling dished out 29 assists. Against the Pioneers, Flohr contributed 14 kills and Cole posted 10 digs. The Griffins will return to action this Friday and Saturday at the D’Youville Tournament.