Westmoreland teams on the move in spring sports

The WPIAL released its alignment for spring sports last week, and a bevy of Westmoreland County baseball and softball teams will have new homes for the next two years. In baseball, Greater Latrobe and Kiski Area both move up from Class 4A, as they’ll join county incumbents Penn-Trafford and Franklin in Class 5A Section 1. Moreover, a trio of Westmoreland teams will elevate from Class 3A to 4A, as Derry Area, Greensburg Salem, and Valley will all now reside in Class 4A Section 3. Ligonier Valley will bump from Class 2A to 3A, joining Burrell in Section 3, while Mount Pleasant Area, Southmoreland, and Yough all shift into that section after previously playing in Section 4. Greensburg Central Catholic and Jeannette, meanwhile, will drop from Class 2A to 1A Section 1. On the softball side, Derry Area and Valley each move up from Class 3A to 4A Section 1, while Greensburg Salem also moves into that section by way of Section 2. In Class 3A, Ligonier Valley, Mount Pleasant Area, Southmoreland, and Yough all shift from Section 3 to Section 1, joining holdover Burrell. Lastly, Greensburg Central Catholic drops from Class 2A down to Class 1A Section 3, joining incumbents Jeannette and Monessen.

Norwin announces latest HOF class

Norwin unveiled its Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2024 last week, a group that features nine individuals and a pair of relay teams. The inductees include: Jody Schuchert (Class of 1998 – soccer); Waylon Davis (98 – football); Tia Hernandez (00 – soccer); Adam Hadbavny (02 – football, track and field); Tommy Shirley (07 – baseball); Dana Dellefemine (10 – soccer, track and field); Sam Wexell (18 – soccer); Carter Breen (19 – soccer); and contributor Tom Parker. Additionally, the 1977 boys two-mile relay and the 2017 boys 1,600-meter relay teams will also be enshrined. The banquet will take place on Sept. 26 at Stratigos Banquet Centre.

Pergar to guide Scotties volleyball

Southmoreland has hired veteran coach Michelle Pergar to lead the Scotties girls volleyball team this fall. Pergar most recently guided the Hempfield Area girls in 2019, when the Spartans claimed the section title. Last year, the Scotties enjoyed a historic season, going 16-0 in Class 2A Section 3. Their lone loss came in the WPIAL quarterfinals against Avonworth, as they finished with a record of 19-1. Pergar’s high school coaching career started as an assistant at Laurel Highlands in 2006, and she served as the head coach for the Mustangs and later at Albert Gallatin. She also led the women’s team at Penn State Fayette.

SHU soccer teams tabbed second in PSAC

Both the men’s and women’s soccer teams at Seton Hill University were projected to finish second in their respective preseason polls last week. The Griffins men were ranked behind Gannon out of the six teams in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West. Last year, SHU went 6-12-1 overall, including 4-5-1 in PSAC action. The Griffs commence their campaign at Ohio Dominican on Sept. 7. Similarly, the Seton Hill women were tabbed behind only Gannon in the eight-team PSAC West. A year ago, SHU compiled a mark of 7-11-1 overall, including 6-9-1 in conference play. The Griffins open the 2024 campaign at home against West Liberty University on Sept. 5.

Kintner joins Bearcats LAX

Makayla Kintner, one of the most decorated lacrosse players in Seton Hill history, joined the coaching staff at Saint Vincent College last week. She wrapped up her playing career with the Griffins in the spring, garnering four All-PSAC honors and twice being named the PSAC West Defender of the Year. She will serve as an assistant coach for the Bearcats women’s team, which went 2-12 overall last season, including a mark of 1-8 in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC).