Sports

Hempfield softball players gather in between innings Wednesday at Robert D. Kalp Field.

WPIAL softball rankings: Week ending May 7, 2023

May 6, 2023

Class 6A

Latrobe’s Emma Blair celebrates with Rachel Ridilla in the final seconds of their 46-44 victory over Woodland Hills on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021, at Greater Latrobe High School.

Latrobe’s Emma Blair, Southmoreland’s Olivia Cernuto rebounding from ACL tears

They were supposed to be two of the top girls basketball players in the WPIAL last season — locks for top-10 all-star picks and clear-cut player of the year candidates in Westmoreland County.

Westmoreland H.S. athletes of the week: P-T’s Dylan Grabowski and Franklin Regional’s Gwen Shilling

Dylan Grabowski

Westmoreland H.S. notebook: Steve Pons takes over as Jeannette boys soccer coach

Jeannette’s boys soccer team is under new leadership.

Moon’s Jacob Puhalla comes from behind on the last lap to win the boys McKinney Mile at the Baldwin Invitational on Friday.

Moon’s Jacob Puhalla defends McKinney Mile title in Baldwin Invite’s marquee race

Once Jacob Puhalla wins a track title, the Moon runner likes to win it again.

Hampton’s Ava Vitiello won the 800 and 1,600 at the South Fayette Invitational.

Hampton track teams set for ‘fun part of the season’

Hampton’s girls track and field team qualified for the WPIAL playoffs out of Section 4-3A.

Hampton senior pitcher Ryan Apaliski had 59 strikeouts in 32 innings through the end of April.

Hampton baseball hopes up-and-down season ends with playoff success

Hampton hoped to wrap up a WPIAL playoff berth in the final days of high school baseball regular season.

Franklin Regional’s Gwen Shilling competes against Hampton on April 11, 2023, at Franklin Regional.

Franklin Regional girls lacrosse progressing ahead of WPIAL playoffs

Regan McComb has seen steady progress since she took over the Franklin Regional girls lacrosse program in 2021.

High-octane offense carries Pine-Richland girls lacrosse to section title

With an 18-0 win over Freeport on May 1, the Pine-Richland girls lacrosse team secured its first section title since 2018.

North Hills’ Zachary Bruder defends on Pine-Richland’s Will Albrecht on May 2 at Martorelli Stadium.
Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review

Pine-Richland boys lacrosse building toward playoff run

The Pine-Richland boys lacrosse team’s season has paralleled last year as far as results go.

Plum sophomore Natalia Burris trains on the balance beam during a workout May 3, 2023, at Elegance Elite Gymnastics in Delmont.

Plum gymnast Natalia Burris competes at Eastern Nationals

Natalia Burris was in select company over the weekend.

Plum senior Kylie Fischer scored a team-best five goals in the Mustangs’ 18-9 Section 1-2A victory over Oakland Catholic on May 3, 2023, at Plum High School’s Mustangs Stadium.

After strong regular season, Plum girls lacrosse carries journey into WPIAL playoffs

The WPIAL girls lacrosse committee is scheduled to meet Thursday to hash out the WPIAL playoff pairings and also release the brackets for both Class 3A and Class 2A.

Norwin’s Trey Huha celebrates as he bring it home the win in the boys 400-meter relay during the WCCA championships Thursday, April 27, 2023, at Latrobe’s Memorial Stadium.

Norwin notebook: Knights shine at WCCA championships

Norwin sent a message to the rest of the WPIAL at the 100th Westmoreland County Coaches’ Association track and field championships April 27, at Latrobe.

North Allegheny’s Jax Whilhite hits against Pine-Richland’s Matteo Rotelli Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at North Allegheny High School.

North Allegheny notebook: Tigers avenge loss to Butler in Section 2 match

North Allegheny’s boys volleyball team earned a key Section 2-3A victory on May 3, taking down Butler, 3-1.

Heather Melzer approaches the finish line for the 2016 Sprint Pittsburgh Olympic-distance triathlon in Point State Park.

Running a lifelong passion for Fox Chapel Hall of Famer

John Carroll University ended up being the perfect landing spot for Heather (Peltier) Melzer. The 1987 Fox Chapel graduate developed a love for distance running, which started with cross country and outdoor track in high school, that has stuck with her throughout her life.