Softball dynasty sparks Neshannock to another Trib Cup victory in Class 2A

By: Don Rebel
Tuesday, July 15, 2025 | 11:42 PM

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Heading into the 2025 spring sports season, the close battle for the Class 2A Trib Cup title came down to a two-school chase.

Then another perfect season on the softball diamond turned the nail biter into a runaway victory.

Neshannock captured a fourth straight Class 2A Trib Cup on the coattails of a third perfect season in the last four years by the Lancers softball team.

“The entire Neshannock community is excited as always to be the winners of the Trib Cup,” Neshannock co-athletic director Bob Burkes said. “It is an honor for our entire athletic program. Winning it never gets old and the players and coaches deserve all of the credit for sure.”

The Trib Cup is a yearlong competition in 25 team sports to determine the top WPIAL program in each classification. Schools earn points for section or conference championships, WPIAL playoff berths and district postseason success, state playoff berths and PIAA championships.

For the fourth straight year, the Neshannock softball team led the way, scoring the maximum 130 points with another section title, WPIAL championship and PIAA gold.

In the last four years, the Lancers’ softball program compiled an overall record of 100-1 with three undefeated seasons, four district titles and three state crowns.

“I think all of the superlatives have been used to describe our softball team and program,” Burkes said. “One hundred wins and one loss in four years speaks for itself. I think that it is not only a testament to their level of skill but their focus on their goals. It takes as much mental focus as physical skills to do what they have done. That is also a credit to coach (Jackie) Lash and her staff. The best part of all is they have all been great people.”

Neshannock also garnered points in eight other sports, including football, boys golf, girls volleyball, boys basketball, ice hockey and baseball.

The Lancers also won double gold with district and state championships in competitive spirit and were district runners-up in girls basketball.

“Competitive Cheer has become a religion at Neshannock and coach Colleen (Daughtry) has her finger on the pulse,” Burke said. “I expect that program to be good for years to come. Girls basketball has consistently been a winner and made deep playoff runs since Coach (Luann) Grybowski came on the scene. She has a talented young group who are dedicated to the program and excited moving forward.”

The previous two years, Neshannock scored the exact same number of points in the Trib Cup competition with 365. This past school year, they improved by 75 points to finish with 440.

The Lancers ended up 140 points better than runner-up Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, which finished with 300 sports in 10 sports thanks in part to a WPIAL championship in girls cross country.

Rounding out the top five in Class 2A was Riverside in third place, Seton LaSalle in fourth and Mohawk in fifth place.

Class 2A Trib Cup standings

1. Neshannock – 440

2. Our Lady of the Sacred Heart – 300

3. Riverside – 220

4. Seton LaSalle – 195

5. Mohawk – 190

6. Bentworth – 185

7. Fort Cherry – 180

8. Aliquippa – 165

9. Chartiers-Houston – 155

10. South Side – 115

11. Freedom – 110

11. Shenango – 110

11. Waynesburg Central – 110

14. Laurel – 100

15. Brentwood – 60

15. Burgettstown – 60

15. Charleroi – 60

18. Apollo-Ridge – 50

18. Beth-Center – 50

20. Brownsville – 40

21. New Brighton – 30

21. Western Beaver – 30

23. Steel Valley – 15

24. Washington – 10

25. Propel-Braddock Hills -0

25. Sto-Rox – 0

Tags: Neshannock