Monday's Westmoreland County Sports Notebook
Written by: Sean Meyers
October 12, 2020
Tags: Roberto Smith Jaydein Canady Brad Birch Emilio Huerta Meghan Zambruno Ella Zambruno Izabela Aigner Angelika Dewicki Maura Suman Alexa Feorone Kelsey Oddis
Penn-Trafford, Hempfield, Derry suspend athletics
On Friday it was announced that the highly-anticipated matchup between Penn-Trafford and Gateway would not happen Sunday due to COVID-19 cases. Today, both Hempfield Area and Derry Area announced it would be shutting athletics down for five days meaning the Spartans game at Central Catholic and Trojans game at home against East Allegheny are postponed. In Penn-Trafford's case, a student and a staff member in the high school each tested positive for COVID-19. At Hempfield, three high school students tested positive and at Derry five staff members tested positive. Activities at Penn-Trafford will resume on Wednesday.
Jeannette edges Springdale in gridiron showdown
For the second straight year, Springdale entered its showdown with Jeannette with a perfect mark. While last year’s matchup was lopsided in favor of Jeannette, Friday’s meeting was a back-and-forth affair that came down to the final moments. In the end, though, it was the Jayhawks who claimed a 36-28 road win. With the victory, Jeannette matched Springdale’s mark at 4-1, and the Jayhawks now hold the tiebreaker. Jeannette needed a rally to prevail, as Springdale scored the first 21 points of the game. The comeback started in the second quarter for Jeannette, which scored three straight touchdowns in the frame. Roberto Smith provided a pair, with an 18-yard run, and a crucial 65-yard interception return in the closing seconds of the half to pull his team within three points. Jaydin Canady gave Jeannette the lead in the third quarter, and after a Dynamos score, QB Brad Birch provided the winning points on an 8-yard run. Defensively, Emilio Huerta produced three turnovers in the second half – two fumble recoveries and an interception.
GCC girls golf claims another title
For the sixth straight year, the Greensburg Central Catholic girls golf team reigned supreme over the WPIAL. The Centurions secured the six-peat last week, besting second-place Geibel Catholic by an incredible 99 strokes to claim the WPIAL Class AA title at the Connoquenessing Country Club in Ellwood City. GCC’s team score of 320 was comprised by Meghan Zambruno (round of 77), Ella Zambruno (79), Izabela Aigner (80), and Angelika Dewicki (84), which also represented the four lowest rounds at the event in Class AA. The Centurions advance to the PIAA Class AA competition, where they claimed gold each of the last two years.
Westmoreland County well represented in latest volleyball rankings
The latest edition of the Western Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association girls rankings was released today, and four local teams are among those recognized. In Class 4A, Greater Latrobe is ranked seventh, while Penn-Trafford is tenth. Additionally, Norwin is receiving votes. In 3A, Franklin Regional was tabbed as the fourth-best team. Lastly, Greensburg Central Catholic was placed third in the 1A rankings. Additionally, local players who were honored for their play over the past week included Maura Suman, a junior setter for Penn-Trafford, and Alexa Feorone of Franklin Regional, a senior libero. Two weeks remain in the regular season, and Franklin Regional and GCC are among the teams that have clinched a postseason berth already.
UPG, Burrell alum Oddis named Bobcats coach
A former standout at the University of Pitt – Greensburg was selected last week to be the next head coach of the UPG women’s basketball program. Kelsey Oddis, who played for the Bobcats until 2018, replaces Hayley Schaetzle, who recently resigned from the position. Oddis, who also serves as the cross country coach at the University, was an assistant to Schaetzle for the past two campaigns. As a player, Oddis scored 1,203 points and was a two-time All-AMCC selection, as well as an Academic All-Conference honoree twice. In high-school, she was a three-year starter for the Burrell Buccaneers, and was a member of two squads that went undefeated in section play, including an appearance in the WPIAL Class AA Championship Game in 2014. Last season, UPG posted a mark of 17-10, including 14-6 in AMCC play.