Norwin notebook: Saint Francis shakeup shocks former Knights

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, April 5, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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A shakeup at Saint Francis University disrupted the college plans of several Norwin athletes who had their future plans ironed out only to be left shaking the trees for other opportunities.

SFU, a longtime NCAA Division I member, announced plans to drop to Division III. Red Flash teams will go from the Northeast Conference to the Presidents’ Athletic Conference and begin play in 2025-2026.

The reclassification hit home with four Norwin Knights, all of whom were blindsided by the news. None of them blamed coaches who recruited them but were clearly frustrated. They still wanted to play at the Division I level and quickly changed lanes.

Norwin track and field standout Eliezer Nicolas was the first to decommit from the mountain school in Loretto. Only minutes after the announcement, he was eyeing the NCAA transfer portal.

“I was shocked, devastated and and realized that there is better elsewhere,” he said. “Obviously, my family is heartbroken, but God has my back.”

Another Norwin athlete followed suit a day after the Red Flash’s decision. Football lineman Colin Bruno pulled his commitment from SFU. He was a preferred walk-on.

Bruno (6-3, 300) immediately drew an offer from Division I Mercyhurst. Concord, Hampton, Clarion, Lock Haven and Seton Hill also reached out.

Two more Norwin football players, who also were preferred walk-ons, decommitted from SFU.n Mike Strutt and Michael Crnkovic also decided to withdraw their commitment and open their recruitment.

Lacrosse wins

The Norwin boys lacrosse team scored a 10-4 road victory against Indiana. The Knights moved to 3-1 overall.

Softball prevails

The Norwin softball team picked up its first win of the season as it defeated Butler, 4-2.

Rachel Minteer had two hits and an RBI, Makenna Black went 2 for 3 with a double and RBI, and Abbie Telli also had two hits, including a triple, drove in a run and was the winning pitcher.

Two in a row

After starting the season 0-3, Norwin baseball bounced back with two straight wins, the second a 10-3 victory over Upper St. Clair.

Brayden Wardzinski went 3 for 4 with two doubles and two RBIs, while Nathan Helphenstine tripled and also drove in a pair.

The Knights scored five times in the top of the seventh inning.

Ethen Culbertson earned the pitching win, scattering six hits in as many innings.

Schedule change

Norwin will get a chance to play at the site of the WPIAL championships.

Canon-McMillan will welcome the Knights for a 7 p.m. start April 10 at EQT Park, the home of the Washington Wild Things.

The park recently was renamed with a new sponsor.

Youth wrestlers place

Norwin’s junior high wrestler Noah Curren was a runner-up in the 140-pound weight class at the Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling Tournament.

Another local wrestler, Blake Proctor, took sixth place at 65 pounds.

At the Keystone State Tournament, several Norwin girls were placewinners.

Blaire Brentzel finished third at 94 (9-10), Katie Morgante was fourth at 50 (7-8), Gianna Hertzog took fifth at 66 (7-8), Lila Stanley was sixth at 66 (7-8) and Masie Morgante took fourth at 45 (6U). Stanley was sixth at 69 (8U), Abigail Smith was eighth at 108 (12U) and Katie Morgante was eighth at 51 (8U) at the Pennsylvania Junior High Tournament.

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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