2025 Trib HSSN year in review top stories countdown: Nos. 10-6

By: Don Rebel
Wednesday, December 31, 2025 | 3:23 PM

The year 2025 in WPIAL sports saw a lot of history and unusual happenings that kept all three sports seasons exciting.

In our year-end tradition, Trib HSSN winds down the year with a daily countdown and a look back at the top 25 WPIAL stories from 2025.

A PIAA policy that elicited strong opinions on both sides, another no-no, a comeback for the ages and two dominant athletes raising the bar high in their respective sports all cracked the top 10.

Join us all week as we look back at the moments that stood out in a fun-filled high school sports ride throughout the last year.

Here is a look at district stories No. 10 through No. 6.

No. 10 – PIAA changes draw ire

When any governing body makes an update on a policy, there are some people not happy with the end result.

However, a controversial topic drew strong reactions from people on both sides when the PIAA updated its transgender athlete policy in March.

No. 9 – Boss Skaggs

Prior to 2021, only two pitchers had thrown no-hitters in WPIAL baseball championship games: Chris Koutsavlis of Mt. Lebanon in 2002 and Alain Girman of Serra Catholic in 2010.

However, that rare feat has become a little more common this decade after Jack Vitale of Union in 2022, David Shields of Mt. Lebanon in 2023 and David Posey of North Allegheny in 2024 made history by allowing no hits in a title game win.

Add Tyler Skaggs of Serra Catholic to the list after he no-hit Carmichaels in the rain in the 2025 Class 2A title game.

No. 8 – Comeback for the ages

It was the rubber game of the three-year WPIAL Class 5A championship series between Peters Township and Pine-Richland.

The defending champion Rams had just dominated the first half at Acrisure Stadium, limiting the Indians offense to only two first down in the first two quarters, leaving most to wonder if Pine-Richland would invoke the mercy rule on its way to a district title repeat.

However, Peters Township erased a 19-point deficit at the half and when the dust settled, the Indians had pulled off the biggest comeback in district title game history by winning their second crown in three years, 20-19.

No. 7 – Atkins wins “quadruple-double”

Winning a WPIAL track and field gold medal is great.

Winning the same race all four times in a scholastic career is incredible.

So what superlative can be used for an athlete who wins two different races all four times?

Tori Atkins of Laurel ran into history this past spring when she claimed her fourth straight WPIAL championship in the 200 and her fourth gold medal in the 400 as well.

She is believed to be the first athlete to sweep not one but two races in each of their four years.

In all, Atkins finished her track career with 10 WPIAL championships.

No. 6 – Sweet 16 for King

When it comes to swimming, Lily King of Mt. Pleasant will go down as WPIAL and PIAA royalty.

King made it 8 for 8 on the district level in February when she won her fourth straight 100-yard freestyle race and her third straight 200-yard freestyle after winning gold in the 500-yard freestyle as a freshman.

In March, King would become the first swimmer to win eight individual gold medals at both the WPIAL and PIAA championships.

Tags: Laurel, Mt. Pleasant, Peters Township, Serra Catholic