Josh Rizzo stories, Page 2

Shaler boys track coach Shawn Ryan likes numbers. Becoming a track and field coach necessitates an interest in data to help track progress and guide improvement. But Ryan said he became interested in recording, ranking and publishing times for sprinters when he saw Tony Holler speak. Holler is a member...

Aiden Smith doesn’t feel like the job is any different. The Shaler senior setter knows that the stage he is set to perform on provides a higher level of difficulty. The Titans graduated their entire lineup from a team that won the program’s first PIAA Class 3A title last season....

Bella Urso enjoyed her final trip around the high school basketball circuit. The Fox Chapel senior scored nine points, including seven in the second half, to help the West team beat the East team 66-60 in the 28th annual Alle-Kiski Cager Classic on April 5 at Highlands High School. Urso...

Fox Chapel track and field coach Tom Moul is happy he doesn’t have to feed his young runners to the wolves once invitational season starts. In addition to entering athletes into the Butler Invitational, which is the kickoff to the big invitationals and an event a lot of schools use...

It’s been a big season for the Slippery Rock softball team, and Fox Chapel graduate Mackenzie Borkovich is in the middle of it. Slippery Rock, which had major renovations done to its home stadium, is 16-14 overall with a 10-2 mark in conference play. Borkovich has a 3.77 ERA in...

Gia Richter hit the floor several times wrestling for loose balls during the 28th annual Alle-Kiski Cager Classic Saturday at Highlands High School. The St. Joseph’s senior guard wanted badly to lead the West team to a win. The muggy conditions also necessitated effort for anyone who desired to hold...

The Shady Side Academy girls lacrosse team hasn’t played as many games as most of the other WPIAL teams. But when the Bulldogs kicked off the season with two section matches, they showed off their potential. The Bulldogs opened with wins over Shaler and Seneca Valley and scored a combined...

Patrick Frank, who graduated from Fox Chapel in 1998, refereed the 141-pound title match during the NCAA Division I championships in March in Phialdelphia. Ohio State’s Jesse Mendez, who was the No. 3 seed, upset top-seeded Brock Hardy of Nebraska by winning a 12-9 decision. Frank, who was inducted into...

Defensive back Dontae Pollard wants to be a part of the group of Penn Hills alumni that found success at a higher level in college football. Corey Thomas Jr. found success at the University of Virginia after starting in Akron. Raion Strader landed with Auburn after excelling at Miami (Ohio)...

Penn Hills track coach Lee Zelkowitz knows the Indians won’t be able to win many dual meets. The Indians don’t have the numbers to fill out all of the events. However, Penn Hills was able to use its only home meet of the season to build some confidence for the...

The Penn Hills softball team has many new faces looking to fill key roles. The Indians know that, with such a significant personnel transition, some growing pains should be expected. First-year Penn Hills coach Michelle Stiller would like to see their long-term plan pay dividends by the end of the...

The Penn Hills boys volleyball team has a team loaded with juniors and seniors. The Indians also have the benefit of having coach Will Piccolino back for his third season. Penn Hills is more capable of playing his system now. While the Indians dropped their first two matches of the...

Fox Chapel eighth grader Olympic Serrao has already shown the ability to learn from his mistakes. Serrao was disappointed with his results against Manheim Township’s Frank Leanza at the Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling middle school championships. Serrao lost by technical fall, 20-5, to finish second at 132 pounds. When the two...

The Fox Chapel boys tennis team has the luxury of having a roster filled with depth and experience. Other than Frank Siegel, the No. 3 singles player, everyone else on the varsity roster is a senior. That may make a big difference for the Foxes as they battle for first...

Emily Ruperto qualified for many events at the WPIAL Class 2A swimming championships. The Serra Catholic sophomore and Penn Hills resident chose the ones she felt most comfortable in. After qualifying for the PIAA meet in the 200 IM and 100 breaststroke, Ruperto also figured out what she wanted to...

Burrell forward Luke Mink still feels the disappointment of not lifting a PIHL championship trophy. But the Buccaneers channeled their pent-up anger into performing well during the inaugural Division 2 Pennsylvania Challenge Cup on Saturday at RMU Island Sports Center. Mink scored two goals in the first period to help...

Jeff Perlis was eager to see his 3,200 meter relay team in action during the indoor season. The Shady Side Academy girls track and field coach knew the Bulldogs had the potential to have a strong team. The Bulldogs returned 75% of their starters — Charlotte Baker, Sarah Kushnir and...

Karis Thomas leapt in the air and chest bumped a yelling Leah Buford in front of the Shady Side Academy bench as the time wound down Friday night at Fox Chapel. The Bulldogs’ junior guard and her teammates made adjustments on the fly to become a team capable of reaching...

Mike Morascyzk would have liked to lift the PIHL’s varsity Division 2 Penguins Cup championship trophy Tuesday night at UPMC Lemieux Complex. While the Buccaneers were denied making program history when Morgantown (W.Va.) picked up a 5-1 win, Burrell was comforted by having an opportunity to play in the first...

Tucker Cullen sat in the locker room Monday night at UPMC Lemieux Complex bawling next to Fox Chapel senior forward Dom Casile. Cullen, a sophomore, wanted to help Casile be a part of the first Foxes team to lift the PIHL’s Class 2A Penguins Cup. Cathedral Prep forward Ethan Cuningham...

Ryan Loebig felt fortunate he didn’t have to build the Fox Chapel hockey program from the ground up. When Loebig took over before this season, his desire was to tinker with some small things to make the team more productive. The Foxes will see if that is enough to get...

The Penn Hills swim team recently competed at the WPIAL Class 3A championships at Trees Pool. While the Indians didn’t send anyone to Bucknell for the state championships, there was improvement throughout their lineup. Anthony Sipple placed 21st in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 22.76 seconds, which was...

Even with nine starters returning, Shaler softball coach Tom Sorce was hesitant to describe exactly what this year’s team will be like. The Titans finished 15-4 last season and bowed out in the WPIAL Class 5A quarterfinals to Penn-Trafford. “We want to play one game at a time and get...

Thiel junior Hayden Wightman wasn’t sure she was even going to attend college. If Wightman did go, she wasn’t sure she wanted to follow the family tradition of playing lacrosse. While Wightman was in high school at Shaler Area, she didn’t play any varsity sports. But once her dad took...

South Fayette girls basketball coach Bryan Bennett always has the future in mind. The Lions work on some concepts that may not be employed for months, if ever. South Fayette showcased that Saturday during a 70-52 PIAA Class 5A quarterfinal against District 6 champion Hollidaysburg on Saturday at Armstrong High...