Norwin notebook: Another football recruit makes college choice

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Sunday, February 15, 2026 | 11:01 AM

The NCAA’s National Signing Day came and went Feb. 4, and another Norwin football player made his commitment official.

The Knights had one of their most attractive overall classes to college programs in years.

Senior Michael DeFazio, a tight end and linebacker, had nine college offers and decided to go with Edinboro.

DeFazio, who also had an offer from Division I Mercyhurst, committed and signed on the same day.

The second-team all-Class 6A conference linebacker had 24 tackles and a sack for the Knights, who made the WPIAL playoffs for the first time in eight years.

Another Norwin standout linebacker, Josh Lenart, signed with Lehigh.

Earlier, punter Evan Pfeiffer committed to Buffalo.

Knights quarterback Tristyn Tavares signed with Division II Cal (Pa.).

The great indoors

Norwin doesn’t have a track to train on with the construction at Norwin Knights Stadium, but that didn’t stop the indoor track and field team from breaking four school records.

Ben McBride set a Norwin indoor record in the 3,200-meter run with a time of 9 minutes, 18.77 seconds – when converted to a 3K time of 8:40.77 the fastest in school history – at the YSU Meet.

Myla McCabe, meanwhile, improved on her school indoor record in the 400-meter dash by running a time of 58.04 seconds. The time was good enough for third place.

Also at the meet, Jeremiah Francis finished second in the 60-meter hurdles in 8.30 seconds, and Karina Karadus tied for fifth in the girls’ 60 hurdles in 9.42 seconds.

Both Knights’ 3,200-meter relay teams placed second, the boys in 8:09.15 and the girls in 9:47.66. Both are school records.

The boys team is Will Little, Declan O’Donnell, Alex Barrett and McBride. The girls lineup is Emily Dansak, Jilliam Ryba, Addie Farrah and Annie Czajkowski.

Sprumont honored

Joe Sprumont returned his college alma mater to be recognized for one of his most memorable accomplishments as an athlete.

The Norwin alum and former 6-foot-9 center for the Knights, was honored alongside his teammates from the 2005-06 Bethany College men’s basketball team. This is the 20th anniversary of the team’s Presidents’ Athletic Conference title.

Sprumont and the Bison went 23-5 and won 18 straight games.

Sprumont is a longtime golf coach at Freeport, where he teaches.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

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