Norwin notebook: Knights earn all-conference honors in multiple sports

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Sunday, November 16, 2025 | 11:01 AM

Several Norwin players were selected for the Big 5/6 Conference all-conference football teams.

The Knights had eight players selected in Class 6A, including quarterback Tristyn Tavares and running back Giovanni Rothrauff on the first-team offense, linebacker Josh Lenart and defensive back Jake Knight on first-team defense and punter Evan Pfeifer.

Second-team selections were Patrick Schmook (OL/DL), Michael DeFazio (HB/LB) and Zack Pawling (WR/DB).

The Knights’ Mike Brown was tabbed coach of the year.

Soccer stars

Numerous local players were also selected to the Big 5/6 Conference all-section soccer teams.

The boys Section 1 first team included Norwin’s Ryan Schoemer, Danny Metzger and Logan Plichta and Braden Crowe of Hempfield.

Second-team picks from Norwin were Caleb Maddock, Jack Lepore, Joey Walton, Ian Natale and Reed Hoyle.

The girls’ Section 1 first team featured Norwin’s Cameryn Reed, Nicole Bown and Alex Kobus; Latrobe’s Emerson Shine, Annalyse Bauer and Mackenzie Kubistek; and Tori Yurt, Elle Lebe, Emilie Oslosky and Alannah Hall of Penn-Trafford.

Ashley DeVito of Norwin was tabbed the section coach of the year.

Making the second team from Norwin were Neeve Graham, Leesia Phetsomphou, Siena Ali and Neilah Schade.

Volleyball stars

The Big 5/6 Conference announced its all-section girls volleyball teams.

The Section 3-4A first team included Claire Benning and Maggie Maiers of Latrobe; Lauren Howard, Antonella Bompiani and Preslee Horchak of Hempfield; Ashley Black of Norwin; and Ella McDonald, Ava Ruane and Cianna Culgan of Penn-Trafford.

Penn-Trafford’s Tracy McDonald was named the section coach of the year.

Flying high

The Clarion women’s soccer team qualified for the PSAC playoffs for the first time in program history, and several Norwin graduates have been part of the run.

Sisters junior Alyssa Aquilo and senior Reese Aquilo have each been in the starting lineup, while freshman Carmella Simco is a freshman on the team.

Midfielder Alyssa Aquilo has played in nine games, starting six, and has one goal. Reese Aquilo, a defender, has started 14 games for the Golden Eagles, who took a 3-11-3 record into the playoffs.

They blanked Edinboro, 1-0, in the first round.

Early exit

With Norwin, Penn-Trafford and Jeannette all losing in the quarterfinals, football season is finished earlier than usual for local fans.

This ends a 10-year run of area teams reaching the WPIAL finals. A team from Westmoreland County had played for a championship every year since 2014.

Another streak, however, continued. With Norwin advancing in 6A, a Westmoreland team has made the WPIAL semifinals every year since 2010.

Streak breakers

The Norwin hockey team snapped an 18-game losing streak with a 4-3 victory over Cathedral Prep.

Cal Costantino had three goals and an assist, Brody Boban added a goal and four assists and Parker Toth scored two goals and added an assist for the Knights (1-4-0-1). The Knights, whose last win came against Hempfield last January (6-5 in a shootout), finished 1-20 a season ago.

Playing the field

The WPIAL announced its field hockey all-star lists for the fall season.

In Class 3A, Norwin had two picks: Mila Gregg (MF) and Sophia Laskowski (MF). Hempfield’s Keelin Sullivan (GK) also was selected.

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

Tags: Norwin