Shaler Area notes: Unified bocce team competes at state competition

By: Josh Rizzo
Thursday, March 21, 2019 | 10:59 PM

The Shaler unified bocce team wrapped up its season last Wednesday at the state championships in Hershey.

The Titans lost their two matches in pool play to North Penn Liberty and Henderson.

“The experience at states was a thrill for athletes, partners and families,” Shaler coach Gina Chmielewski said. “We watched the students grow all season in both their skill and friendship. We are grateful for the chance to go to Hershey next season.”

Shaler made waves in its second season as a program.

The Titans were winless during their first season but bounced back this season by going 2-1 in the regular season.

Once Shaler got to the postseason, the Titans got on a roll.

They won four matches, culminating with an 8-7 victory over Elizabeth Forward in the Allegheny County championships.

Members of the team were Angie Robertson, Eli Deutschbauer, Roman Tortorea, Joey Broderick, Kassidy Steinmetz, Lauren Donnelly, Skyler Tortorea and Nakeisha McCoy.

Shaler bowling wraps up season

The Titans girls bowling team placed 12th at the Western Regional championships, finishing with a score of 2,938.

McDowell won the event with a 3,596, and Penn-Trafford was the top WPIBL finisher, with a score of 3,449.

Meghan Schwab led Shaler with a 464 series, and Bella Pilyih (463), Lindsay Gill (434), Shannon Roche (377) and Macey Prosser (367) were the Titans’ top five bowlers.

Heinl gets first taste at nationals

Washington & Jefferson junior wrestler and Shaler graduate Michael Heinl went 0-2 at 149 pounds at the Division III NCAA championships in Roanoke, Va.

Heinl finished the season with 37 wins, which was tied for second most in Presidents’ history. In the first round, Heinl lost to fifth-seeded Brett Kaliner, 20-5. In consolations, Heinl fell to Brockport’s Ryan Snow, 13-5.

Schaefer wins heat at NCAC championships

Allegheny sophomore and Shaler graduate Emily Schaefer won the heat in the B-finals of the 200-yard butterfly at the North Coast Athletic Conference swimming championships in Granville, Ohio.

Schaefer won the heat with a time of 2 minutes, 12.98 seconds to finish 10th overall. Schaefer also won her heat in the B-finals in the 400-yard IM and placed ninth with a time of 4:44.33.

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