Dozens of Bethel Park athletes from class of ’25 take next step to compete in college

By: Ray Fisher
Saturday, August 23, 2025 | 11:01 AM

Bethel Park’s senior athletes rolled triple fives in their commitments to their football, baseball and wrestling careers.

Five senior members of the 2024-25 football, wrestling and baseball teams at Bethel Park are planning to continue competing at the next level this fall.

On the gridiron, they are Jack Bruckner (Carnegie Mellon), Ja’Vaughn Moore (Robert Morris), Clancy Orie (U.S. Naval Academy), Ryan Petras (Duquesne) and Tanner Pfeuffer (Frostburg State).

All five were all-conference selections last year following the Black Hawks’ 10-3 season that ended in the WPIAL Class 5A semifinals — Bruckner at defensive back, Moore at running back, Orie at DE/TE, Petras at wide receiver and Pfeuffer at quarterback. Orie and Moore also received all-state plaudits; Orie was a repeat selection.

Bruckner plans to continue his career as a wide receiver at CMU where he will pursue a business degree from the Tepper School of Business. He graduated with a 4.3 GPA.

“I was always interested in finding a school that put a priority on education as well as athletics,” Bruckner said. “I had some interest from a couple Ivy League schools and local smaller D-1/FCS programs. It just always felt like CMU was a great fit. From the moment they offered me after my junior season, I knew I was going to be a Tartan.”

The 6-foot-3, 255-pound Orie was a two-way starter for the Black Hawks, helping anchor both the offensive and defensive lines.

He was a three-year starter and four-year letterman and also competed in outdoor track for four years. Orie was recruited to play defense at Navy, where he will major in economics.

“I think I’ve had a pretty successful career at Bethel Park,” he said. “I had great coaches that I think really helped me to play my best football, along with teammates that pushed me every day. Most importantly, I hope my time at Bethel has had a lasting impact on the underclassmen.

“Navy has great academic and athletic opportunities, as well as setting up students to be successful and set for life.”

Orie was his school’s medalist at the WPIAL Class 3A track and field finals at Slippery Rock University in May with a fourth-place finish in the shot put event.

Three members of the Black Hawks’ 2024-25 wrestling team — Ethan Higgins, Aden Stout and Michael Gibson — are continuing their careers at Seton Hill while Seth Miller (Ohio Northern) and Jaden Palombine (King University) also plan to compete in college.

Higgins finished with a 127-52 career record — winning 24, 25, 34 and 44 matches in his four varsity seasons — and hit the century mark in December in the first round of the prestigious Powerade holiday tournament.

“It’s an incredible feeling. Honestly, I’ve worked so hard to get to this point, and when it finally happened, I felt a huge sense of accomplishment,” Higgins said. “It’s a testament to all the hours of training, the support from my coaches and teammates and the sacrifices that have gone into my wrestling career.”

Noah LeJeune (Seton Hill), Dylan Paul (Gannon), Dylan Schumacher (IUP), Ryan Walsh (Virginia Tech) and Owen White (Allegheny) are the five baseball players preparing to compete at the next level.

LeJeune (DH) and Schumacher (P) were chosen as Big 56 Section 2-5A first team all-stars following the 2025 spring season.

In all, 32 recent Bethel Park graduates will continue their athletic careers at colleges or universities across the country. They were recognized for their selections at the 16th annual College-Bound Student Athlete Recognition Reception held in June at Bethel Park.

“On behalf of the athletic department, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to the senior student-athletes in the Class of 2025 who have committed to continuing their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level,” said Bethel Park A.D. Laura Grimm. “To have 32 student-athletes from a single graduating class go on to compete at the next level is an incredibly impressive accomplishment and a true point of pride for our school district.

“This milestone reflects not only the talent and dedication of our student-athletes, but also the strength of our athletic programs, the support of our coaches and families and the overall commitment to excellence within our community. We are proud of all they have achieved and look forward to celebrating their continued success in the years ahead. Once a Black Hawk, always a Black Hawk.”

Former Bethel Park soccer players extending their time on the pitch are Freya Blatz (Akron), Grace Ferency (Duquesne), Keira Mehalko (Mercyhurst) and Jackson Friday (Westminster), who also will participate in track and field for the Titans.

Blatz, a goalkeeper for the girls team, and Friday, a midfielder/defender on the boys team, were selected to play in the Western Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association all-star games.

Other college-bound athletes include Audrey Campbell (Penn State Behrend/softball), Alyssa Celletti (Louisville/dance), Nathan Disori (Marietta/lacrosse), Cally Edner (IUP/swimming), Giani Esposito (Westminster/golf), Abby Farrell (Pitt-Johnstown/cheer) and Keaira Griffiths (Point Park/track and field).

Addison Gurganus (IUP/swimming), Chela Miller (Long Island/cheer), Sadie Orie (Worcester Polytechnic Institute/basketball), Trent Powell (IUP/swimming), Ella Sabatos (Frostburg State/basketball) and Allison Wolling (Waynesburg/golf) round out the impressive list.

Grimm lauded the talent displayed by a unique pair of athletes, the Orie twins.

Clancy Orie drew nearly two dozen college offers, including from FBS schools Akron, Air Force, Bowling Green, Buffalo, Eastern Michigan, Miami (Ohio) and Toledo.

“Clancy has been an outstanding representative of Bethel Park athletics,” Grimm said. “He’s a dedicated and disciplined athlete who brings leadership and consistency to every aspect of his sports. His strong work ethic, team-first mentality and ability to lead by example have made him a respected and valued member of our athletic community.

“He’s the kind of student-athlete coaches love to work with — focused, coachable and committed to excellence both on and off the field. We’re incredibly proud of all he’s accomplished and know he’ll continue to excel at the Naval Academy.”

Sadie Orie and Sabatos were chosen to participate in the 21st Roundball Classic at North Allegheny as members of the Class 5A West girls all-star team.

“Sadie has been involved in our athletic programs throughout her time at Bethel Park and has contributed to her teams in meaningful ways,” Grimm said. “She has shown flashes of potential and has had moments where her athletic ability has positively impacted team performance.

“We appreciate her commitment to competing and being part of our school’s athletic tradition. Like all of our student-athletes, we recognize the unique journey each one takes and wish her the best in her future endeavors.”

Bethel Park coaches introduced each attendee and their college commitment at the annual reception.

A panel of BPHS alumni — Tommy DiRienzo ’20, Lily Gaston ’22, Nathaniel Neal ’20 and Sandra Soltes ’22 — shared insights during a Q&A session.

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