Westmoreland athletes ink with colleges on national signing day

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Wednesday, November 13, 2019 | 7:53 PM

Brenna Springer and Nate Ward had a busy Wednesday.

The All-WPIAL seniors from Greensburg Central Catholic took part in national signing day as both inked letters of intent to play Division I soccer.

Then, they played in state semifinal games at Peters Township.

While one chapter in their athletic lives neared its end, another began.

“It so amazing to finally sign,” Springer said. “I have been waiting for this day for a long time. It seems like such a long time ago that I committed.”

Springer signed with Akron, and Ward made his commitment to Indiana official.

“I knew it was going to be an exciting day,” said Ward, a high-scoring midfielder.

“GCC’s boys have never made a trip to the state championship … the whole team couldn’t wait to get on the field — rain, snow or shine.”

A number of other local Division I commits signed Wednesday or will sign in the coming days.

Hempfield has a pair of senior volleyball signees: Will Kuhns, who is headed to Penn State, and Mekayla Dedo, who will play at Air Force.

“This is the culmination of everything I have dreamed of and worked for, from middle school through high school,” Dedo said.

Norwin senior soccer player Eva Frankovic pledged officially to Pitt, where the All-WPIAL selection hopes to make a fast impact as a defender.

Frankovic will enroll early, for the spring semester.

“I have yet to stop smiling,” Frankovic said. “I am so excited. It’s going to be a whole new world when I go in January.”

More local D-I signers included Penn-Trafford baseball players Bobby Lane and Anthony Sherwin (Cincinnati and Bucknell, respectively), and classmate Kylie Yacamelli, who will continue her gymnastics career at Bowling Green.

-Yough prolific goal scorer Justine Appolonia signed with Youngstown State women’s soccer.

-Hempfield softball player Ashley Orischak signed with St. Francis (Pa.).

-Noelle Boyd of Franklin Regional signed with Akron lacrosse.

-Softball players Faith Miller (Southmoreland) and Jane Garver (Ligonier Valley) signed with Robert Morris.

-Bucknell is the official college destination of Norwin senior wrestler Kurtis Phipps.

-Heather Gardner of Mt. Pleasant signed to swim at Liberty.

Congratulations to Hempfield Area student-athletes Ashley Orischak (St. Francis PA), Mekayla Dedo (Air Force), Will Kuhns (Penn State), Sydney Patrick (Slippery Rock), & Caroline Czarnecki (USC Aiken) for signing National Letters of Intent to attend NCAA Division 1 & 2 schools. pic.twitter.com/E8zIjY7pOo

— HASDathletics (@HASDathletics) November 14, 2019

Our next signee, Eva Frankovic @evafrankovic, is a hometown product! A team captain with @NHSGirlsSoccer1, the all-state defender has helped the Knights win WPIAL & PIAA ???? & @CenturyV_FC to 3️⃣ PA State Cup ????. She will enroll in the upcoming spring semester!
#H2P | #NSD19 pic.twitter.com/jNHFV7hJQl

— Pitt Women's Soccer (@Pitt_WSOC) November 13, 2019

Big day for @BobbyLane_ signing with @GoBearcatsBASE congrats and enjoy the day it was all you pic.twitter.com/E2AQ27lDGR

— Astroworld (@pletchlives) November 13, 2019

Congratulations to Justine Appolonia on joining the program! Appolonia played at Yough Senior High School where she set the school record for goals with 117. The West Newton, Pa. native was a four time All-Section and All-WPIAL selection. #GoGuins???? | #RaiseTheBar pic.twitter.com/RDHXxCYuet

— YSU Women's Soccer???? (@ysuWsoccer) November 14, 2019

Congratulations to Leah Yoder, Carly Cook, and Victoria Shimko on signing their NLI this morning! Leah yoder to Alderson Broaddus, Carly Cook to CALU, and Victoria Shimko to Edinboro. pic.twitter.com/q3x5cd9pJv

— Norwin Softball (@NorwinSoftball) November 13, 2019

New Story: Noelle Boyd signs with University of Akron https://t.co/HnD9XhEFTg

— FR Panther Sports (@FRPantherSports) November 13, 2019

Congratulations Jeffrey on signing with Coach Braun and IUP! Proud of you! Thanks to Mr. Zilli and Mr. Burrell for all that you do for Greensburg Salem and the student athletes! Lucky to have you! Go Hawks! pic.twitter.com/bvKeipe14w

— Craig Mankins (@craig_mankins) November 13, 2019

Softball player Sydni Overly signing her letter of intent to Davis and Elkins College. Congratulations @BillBeckner @TribLiveHSSN pic.twitter.com/EEsJ444T6n

— VikingNation (@VikingNation_MP) November 13, 2019

Congratulations to Seniors Olivia Gribble and Jayla Wehner on National Signing Day! ???? ???? Olivia will be attending Marietta College and Jayla will be attending Marian University! Good luck ladies! #NorwinPride
???????????? pic.twitter.com/zU1YIMgzmr

— Norwin GBB (@norwin_gbb) November 13, 2019

Officially a Zip !! Can’t wait for the next 4 ???????????? pic.twitter.com/YLRgIievUt

— Brenna Springer (@SpringerBrenna) November 13, 2019

⚽️Official⚽️

Welcome, Sarah Nguyen to the Akron women’s soccer program!

Nguyen earned two PA West Championships with Century V FC and was a three-time All-Section 4A honoree and 2017 WPIAL 4A Champion at Penn Trafford High School! pic.twitter.com/a0Q34oDoMe

— Akron Women's Soccer (@ZipsWSOC) November 13, 2019

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Franklin Regional, Greensburg C.C., Hempfield, Ligonier Valley, Mt. Pleasant, Norwin, Penn-Trafford, Southmoreland