Norwin notebook: Wrestlers hit roadblock in WPIAL quarterfinals

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, February 10, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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Norwin pushed its way into the WPIAL Class 3A team wrestling quarterfinals before running into top-seeded Trinity.

The Knights, seeded No. 8 in the 19-team bracket, defeated Plum in the first round, 39-27, before falling to Trinity, 43-19.

Jack White (152 pounds) opened the Trinity match with a major decision for Norwin, and Aiden Pham won by fall at heavyweight to give the Knights their last lead at 16-15.

Landon Sidun (121) won by decision for the Knights (12-6), who are gearing up for the individual postseason, which begins with section tournaments Feb. 23.

Hockey in fifth

The Norwin hockey team was in fifth place with a 9-6-2 record as it pursued a PIHL Class 2A playoff berth.

Thomas Jefferson (14-2), South Fayette (13-1-2) and Latrobe (13-5) had clinched ahead of the Knights, with Franklin Regional (9-5-2) just above Norwin in the standings.

Norwin had three regular-season games to go, at South Fayette (Feb. 8), and vs. Latrobe (Feb. 19) and Armstrong (Feb. 27).

Flag football

Norwin varsity football players will work with youth players in the Norwin Football Flag Flag Football League, set for 10 a.m. to noon April 7-28 at Norwin Knights Stadium. Players in grades 1-6 are eligible. Cost is $100 per participant.

Register here.

College scene

Checking in on Norwin athletes playing in college:

Women’s basketball

Cedarville: Sophomore Brianna Zajicek scored a season-high 18 points, including three 3-pointers, and grabbed six rebounds, in an 87-68 loss to Thomas More. Zajicek has started 15 of 19 games and is averaging 4.2 points and 4.2 rebounds.

Chatham: Sophomore Alyssa Laukus contributed 10 points, four rebounds and three blocks as the Cougars (19-3, 15-2 PAC) defeated Westminster, 71-61, to set a program single-season record with their 15th conference win.

Grove City: Junior guard Mara Polczynski scored 10 points and pulled down seven rebounds in a 69-67 loss to Bethany in PAC action.

Wrestling

Bucknell: Senior 133-pounder Kurt Phipps bounced back after having his 17-match winning streak stopped by posting an 8-2 win against Columbia.

Women’s swimming

Clarion: Junior Jordan Kutchak finished sixth in the 500-yard freestyle, finishing in a time of 5:44.34, in a tri-meet against Duquesne and St. Bonaventure. She also took ninth in the 50 free (25.64).

Women’s indoor track

Point Park: Senior Allison Plassio qualified for the NAIA nationals in the 1,000-meter run with a time of 2 minutes, 59.58 seconds for ninth place at the Rutgers Scarlett Knights Open.

Robert Morris: Freshman Emma Jiancristoforo took second in the 3,000-meter run (11:49.10) and was seventh in the mile run (5:32.36) at the Bob Shannon Invitational at Denison.

Waynesburg: Sophomore Megan Barry finished 18th in the shot put (8.89 meters) and took 26th in the long jump (3.44) at the Bob Shannon Invitational at Denison.

Men’s indoor track

Seton Hill: Junior John Giansante recorded a runner-up finish in the triple jump at the Youngstown State Mid-Major with a mark of 13.85 meters.

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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