Michael Love stories, Page 67
Freeport could have plenty to celebrate in program’s 100th season
The Freeport football program celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2022, and this year’s coaches and players hope to make it one for the record books. With several starters and all-star performers returning on both sides of the ball, optimism is high that Freeport can make a run to the WPIAL...
Deer Lakes in position to return to playoffs
Deer Lakes came as close as a team can to making the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs last year. The Lancers, who finished 4-6 overall and 3-3 in the Allegheny Seven Conference, lost out to East Allegheny and Burrell on a three-way tiebreaker for the third and fourth playoff spots from...
A-K Valley football teams eager to get to work as official practices open
Ryan Tempalski experienced numerous first official football practice days as an assistant coach at schools throughout the region. But Monday was a new experience for the first-year Springdale head coach who was hired in March to lead a young and relatively inexperienced Dynamos squad hit hard by graduation after reaching...
Deer Lakes father, son unsatisfied with missing playoffs
Derek Burk didn’t wait long to try and make improvements after last year’s close home loss to Burrell. The 28-24 setback factored into the Lancers missing a WPIAL Class 3A playoff spot in a tiebreaker with the Bucs and East Allegheny in the Allegheny Seven Conference. “My wife texted me...
Burrell to lean on pair of senior linemen
Ian Quinn started organized tackle football in third grade in the Lower Burrell Flyers youth football organization. He found himself blocking on the offensive line. “I was always a bigger kid. I was destined to be a lineman,” Quinn said. “I wasn’t too good at first, actually. I was a...
Kiski Area brings new-look roster into Class 4A competition
When Kiski Area moved down from Class 5A to Class 4A and into the Greater Allegheny Conference, coach Sam Albert knew one of the league matchups would carry extra meaning. The Cavaliers will host Albert’s former team, Highlands, on Oct. 14. “I’m sure that probably is one that Highlands circles...
Familiar face set to lead Gateway girls volleyball program
There is a reunion of sorts taking place within the Gateway varsity girls volleyball program. New head coach Nicole Riley is familiar with many of the team members having coached them and built a rapport with them at the middle school level. Now, the task at hand as preseason practices...
Highlands grad Alan Crise aims to help local student-athletes navigate recruiting path
Alan Crise went through the college recruiting process during his senior year at Highlands in 2011-12, and the football, basketball and track and field participant remembers having a lot of questions throughout the journey that ultimately led to a track and field scholarship at Division II West Virginia Wesleyan. After...
Plum sophomore’s game grows heading into high school golf season
Wes Lorish said he didn’t play his best golf last week at the 46th Junior PGA Championship at Cog Hill Golf and Country Club in Palos Park, Ill., but the Plum sophomore and returning WPIAL individual semifinalist said he was grateful for the opportunity to test his mettle with some...
Gateway notebook: Olivia Miller nominated for NCAA Woman of the Year
Olivia Miller enjoyed a standout gymnastics career at the University of Pittsburgh, and her accomplishments during her four years on the Oakland campus extended beyond the court to her academic studies and extensive community service. Pitt recently honored the 2022 graduate as its nominee for NCAA Woman of the Year,...
High-end darts tour takes flight in Western Pennsylvania
In the world of darts, Mike Porterfield is on target. The Sharon resident, who will celebrate his 32nd birthday Wednesday, is one of the top competitors on the Dart Players Pittsburgh tour which, in its fourth season, provides both seasoned and less experienced throwers the chance to compete in one...
Positive resolution sought in volleyball theft at Vandergrift court dedicated to late coach
Tim Toy beams when he talks about the return of the Pack the Park high school girls volleyball game between Norwin and Kiski Area set for Aug. 29 at Ellen Toy Grass Court in Vandergrift’s Kennedy Park. While positive ventures are on the horizon, Toy said he also hopes a...
Former Gateway standout Todd Jeter has hopes of XFL contract
When Todd Jeter’s football eligibility ended at Westminster College after the 2017 season, thoughts turned to what options were available to continue his playing career, including the National Football League. With the XFL re-launching this year, the Gateway graduate again found an opportunity, and he says he’s excited for what...
Plum’s Susko recovering from injury but ready for another multi-sport school year
Dannika Susko has taken a detour this summer in her preparation for her senior season with the Plum girls volleyball team. The 2021 All-WPIAL Class 3A honoree suffered a torn hamstring tendon during the early minutes of a WPIAL girls lacrosse playoff game against Hampton on May 18. “That kind...
Freeport International Baseball Invitational organizers celebrate another successful event
When South Buffalo Township’s Debbie Daugherty and Newmarket, Canada’s Deb Butt met at the 1996 Freeport International Baseball Invitational, a friendship sparked that has stood the test of time. Their sons played on the fields throughout the Alle-Kiski Valley, and the now-longtime friends sat in the bleachers and got to...
Pebble Beach, Beach Glass take rivalry to Saturday’s Adios Pace for the Orchids final
Pebble Beach and Beach Glass have developed quite a rivalry in the 3-year-old colt pacing division this year. They last raced in the same field in June at the North American Cup, and Pebble Beach prevailed that day. Beach Glass claimed victory at the Meadowlands Pace on July 16, but...
Citing schedule concerns, Kiski Area baseball coach steps down after 4 seasons
Citing growth in his real estate career, particularly as it pertains to increased responsibilities in the spring housing market, Aaron Albert resigned Wednesday as Kiski Area head baseball coach after four seasons with the program. Albert publicly announced his decision Wednesday afternoon with a post on Twitter. In it, he...
From Yankee Stadium to Oakmont Bakery, French players enjoy American culture during FIBI trip
A language barrier of varying height stood between members of the baseball team from France and those on a team consisting of players from Springdale, Highlands, Deer Lakes and Valley as they met Tuesday afternoon at Springdale High School as part of the Freeport International Baseball Invitational. Between the lines,...
International component of Freeport baseball event back with presence of French team
The Freeport International Baseball Invitational is back this week, and dozens of games over the next five days are scheduled on fields throughout the Alle-Kiski Valley. A highlight of the 28th annual event is a team from France, which will play a series of games as part of a tour...
Burrell wrestling staff honored as top assistant coaches in state
The Burrell wrestling team continued its high level of success this past season with a 19th consecutive section championship, another appearance in the WPIAL Class 2A title match, a trip to the PIAA tournament and several individual standout performances at the section, WPIAL, regional and state levels. Bucs head coach...
Haymaker Hammerheads claim 5th straight title at Monroeville Invitational
Temperatures already were making their way through the mid 70s as the first morning race went off at the annual Monroeville Invitational swim meet July 16 at Garden City Swim Club. More than 200 swimmers ages 5 to 18 from four area clubs — Haymaker, Gateway Heights, Park and Garden...
Vince Ciattei wins Liberty Mile for 2nd year in row
Nearly perfect weather conditions greeted runners and spectators alike Friday evening as the 11th Fleet Feet Liberty Mile showcased quick-pace competition in Downtown Pittsburgh’s only evening road race. More than 1,300 runners of all abilities, ages 2 to 85, including a group of 20 elite pro-milers, were challenged to run...
Field of a dozen set for Adios eliminations at the Meadows
A dozen 3-year-old male pacers, including Pepsi North American Cup champion Pebble Beach, will compete Saturday in a pair of eliminations as part of the 56th Delvin Miller Adios Pace for the Orchids at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. Pebble Beach, who will run in competition for the first time...
McConnell retires after eight seasons as IUP women’s basketball coach
After several successful seasons as the head women’s basketball coach at IUP, Tom McConnell has announced he has retired from the position. The move takes effect next month. “Recently, I have been praying and thoughtfully considering my future, and with great clarity and peace, I have decided that it is...
Springdale boys soccer team has smooth transition to new coach Palo
Paul Palo didn’t need to have the Springdale boys soccer players fill out name-tag stickers when he took over as the Dynamos coach earlier this year. The Springdale graduate served eight seasons as an assistant and the JV coach under veteran Dynamos coach Cesareo Sanchez. When Sanchez decided to step...
