Sewickley Herald notebook: Athletes help Quaker Valley team to Science Olympiad gold

By:
Sunday, June 29, 2025 | 11:01 AM


Quaker Valley athletes Luca Albano and Colin York delivered a newsworthy performance in the classroom this year.

Albano (tennis) and York (hockey) were cited on the school district website for taking first place in the “Write It, Do It” event at the Pennsylvania State Science Olympiad competition — a historic first for Quaker Valley.

This event challenges teams to communicate technical information with precision and clarity under strict time constraints. Albano’s and York’s performance reflected their outstanding collaboration and attention to detail.

“Our team couldn’t stay for the awards ceremony because we needed to get back to school. We had no idea how we placed and didn’t even realize we had won until Colin received a text from a student still at the competition,” Albano told Quaker Valley principal Deborah Riccobelli. “I was confident walking out, but hearing we earned first place was unreal.”

York said he and Albano were floored.

“At first, we were in disbelief,” York said. “We felt confident, but the news still stunned us. Once we verified it, we had a huge celebration on the bus. Everyone was cheering. I was super proud of our team and my teammate. It was a long time coming, and I’m happy with our win.”

The QV Science Olympiad team’s success didn’t stop there. Rachel Bartels and Lucy Montagnese earned eighth place in the botany event, demonstrating impressive scientific knowledge and dedication in a competitive field.

Quaker Valley science teacher Jason Marko served as the Science Olympiad sponsor.

Team members in 2024-25 were Luca Albano, Sienna Albano, Noor Ashfaq, Bartels, Max Brackney, Hugo Castellini, Freya Gordon, Luca Kurumfashe, Lea Mauer, Montagnese, Keira Myers, Olawaiye, Alina Radermacher, Steinfurth, York, Sasha Zupanc, Maggie Watson, Evelyn Zutter and Henry Zutter, who also was a finalist in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program.

Pickett recognized

Vanessa Pickett won the Superintendent Citizenship Award as a QV senior student-athlete in 2024-25.

The award is presented annually to students in grades five, eight and 12 who best exemplify a commitment and dedication to public service, community spirit and pursuit of excellence.

Pickett was recognized for her exceptional dedication, compassion and citizenship. She has been a volunteer at summer camps and Masonic Village and competed exceptionally in volleyball and track at QV. She also was an active leader in several school clubs such as peer jury and the Black student union, where she demonstrated initiative, creativity and a passion for making a positive impact.

The 2025 QV graduate will be attending the honors program at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in the fall.

Lida Tomycz (Edgeworth), Vivienne Sousa (Osborne) and Madison Ruddle (middle school) also were award recipients this year.

The trio was recognized in May at the district’s monthly school board meeting and received a small gift as a token of congratulations.

Head of the class

Mark Feldman of Eden Christian Academy was lauded as the Trib HSSN Head of the Class top coach in Class A baseball in 2025.

The Warriors had some key players returning but had holes to fill going into the 2025 season after advancing to the PIAA finals the previous spring.

Eden Christian, Serra Catholic and Bishop Canevin finished in a three-way tie atop Section 3-A, but dreams of a first WPIAL title ended in the semifinals for the Warriors with a loss to Carmichaels. Eden blanked DuBois Central Catholic in the PIAA opening round, crushed Homer-Center by 10 runs in the quarterfinals and rolled past Clarion by 11 runs in the semis.

It marked the third time in five years the Warriors (19-6) reached the PIAA championship game, but also the third time they returned home as state runners-up.

Camp time

The summer sports camp program at Quaker Valley is in full swing.

The junior tennis/age group clinics for students in the Sewickley and QV areas began June 9 and will run until Aug. 1.

Christi Hays, coach of the QV boys and girls tennis teams, is camp director. This is the 17th summer for the program which is open to ages 9 to 17 with no experience necessary. Younger players (with experience) may participate with permission.

Practices are held Monday-Friday from 8:30-10 a.m. at the high school courts; matches take place on Fridays.

Age group clinics also are available for ages 3 to 8. They take place Monday-Friday from 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Full details are available at www.keylob.net. For more information, eail rockhays@cs.com.

The QV middle school athletic performance program, meanwhile, started June 21 and continues until Aug. 9.

Kevin Boyle is in charge of the program. Boyle has been an athletic performance coach for 20 years working with athletes from youth to professional. For the past two years, he has served as QVMS volunteer strength and speed coach.

There is a registration fee, but scholarships are available.

Soccer athletes participate in the program’s first time slot; all other sports are in the second time slot. Basketball players also have access to the new shooting machine at the community center.

And finally, QV’s summer track and field/cross country camp will be held at the middle school field from 8-11:30 a.m. on July 14, 16 and 18.

Additional information for all the summer sports camps is available on the QV school district website.

Athletics assistant honored

FRIENDS of Quaker Valley Schools awarded seven faculty and staff members with the 2025 Distinguished Staff Award.

One of the award recipients was Chrissie Johns, QV administrative assistant for athletics and activities.

Each year, FRIENDS honors those who have gone above and beyond to help students in the school district.

The award winners, who were nominated by their supervisor and the district’s administration, received a cash prize and token of appreciation. They were recognized May 28 at a reception at the Lindsay Theater.

Stadium renovations

The track and football field at Quaker Valley’s Chuck Knox Stadium is closed throughout the summer months due to a scheduled resurfacing project. The stadium is inaccessible during construction because of safety reasons.

Most athletic practices and activities typically held at the high school field have been relocated to the QVMS field for the duration of the project. Communication from specific coaches will confirm practice locations.

And note, the high school tennis courts remain open to the public.

Tags:

More High School Other

Greensburg Central Catholic captures 5th Trib Cup in 6 years in Class A
Winners of Trib Cup for all-around sports excellence set to be revealed
Championship hockey team, 4 top athletes headline Quaker Valley Sports Hall of Fame Class of ’25
Jeannette football, basketball star Kymon’e Brown named TribLive Westmoreland County boys athlete of the year
Trib HSSN’s top stories from the 2024-25 school year