Penn Hills sports notebook: Carter Bonner transfers to prep powerhouse

By: Josh Rizzo
Sunday, March 8, 2026 | 11:01 AM

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Carter Bonner had a difficult junior season where he was limited to four appearances for the Penn Hills football team. The Indians, who narrowly missed out on the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs last season, won’t get one more season with the four-star recruit.

Bonner announced on social media that he would play his final season with Saint Frances (Md.) Academy. Bonner finished second on the team in receiving for the Indians as a sophomore, hauling in 26 passes for 436 yards.

Bonner played his freshman season at Shady Side Academy, before transferring to Penn Hills. Bonner has offers from Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan State, Penn State, Pitt and Virginia Tech, among others.

Bonner missed time last season due to injuries. Saint Frances was the No. 1 ranked team nationally by several outlets last season.

Penn Hills diver earns WPIAL medal

Mikael Epperson chose to start diving for the first time last season. The Penn Hills junior has made quick improvements. He placed fifth this season at the WPIAL Class 3A championships. He finished with a score of 313.6 points.

North Allegheny’s Ethan Maravich won with a score of 538.95. Epperson finished 15th last season.

During the WPIAL swimming championships, Anthony Sipple placed 21st in the 50 free with a time of 22.47 seconds. Sipple also finished 26th in the 100 free, turning in a time of 49.52.

Emily Ruperto, a Penn Hills resident who attends Serra Catholic, placed ninth in the 100 breast with a time of 1:08.04. She also finished 15th in the 200 IM with a time of 2:14.14.

Ruperto, who previously competed as an independent swimmer at the WPIAL Class 2A championships because Serra doesn’t have a team, was allowed to compete for the Indians because of a change to PIAA rules.

The policy changed last year that allows students at a faith-based private school to compete in sports for their local public school if the private school doesn’t offer the sport.

Redeemer Lutheran, Penn Hills bowlers compete at regionals

The Penn Hills girls bowling team was represented by Brooke Davis at the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Bowl League championships. She had the 43rd highest varsity average (157.12) in the league this season.

Redeemer Lutheran had three bowlers reach the regional tournament. Makayla Fox qualified on the girls’ side, while Liam Matarrese and Quintin McGeary qualified for the boys team.

Zion Smith reaches PJW state tournament

Zion Smith, who wrestles for Penn Hills, qualified for states after finishing second at the Area 7 qualifier. Smith plays football at Serra Catholic.

He is allowed to compete in Penn Hills’ program because Serra doesn’t sponsor a wrestling team.

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