Westmoreland high school notebook: Longtime Derry golf coach Smeltzer stepping down

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, April 26, 2025 | 6:52 PM

Tracey Smeltzer has done a lot for the Derry boys and girls golf programs, but she is ready to turn the keys over to someone else.

Smeltzer is stepping down after 19 years, 12 as head coach.

“It was a great ride,” Smeltzer said. “It was not an easy decision, but as they say, all good things must come to an end.”

She coached the boys to a 110-53 record with section championships in 2017, ’19, ’20, ’21, and ’22.

The girls were 31-94 with two section titles on her watch.

She also had a WPIAL individual champion in Hunter Jurica, who won the 2022 Class 2A title at famed Oakmont Country Club.

“It was an extremely difficult decision,” Smeltzer said. “I love coaching, I love the game of golf, and being able to coach golf for nearly 20 years was special for me, especially during that streak from 2017 to 2022. With that devotion to the game and the players comes added stress because of the responsibility that comes with it.”

Smeltzer’s mother died a year ago, which has made her rethink her situation.

“I am at a point in my life where I need to take care of me,” she said. “The stress of that loss made me step back and think about where I am at this junction.”

Also a former softball coach, Smeltzer has been coaching and teaching for 32 years. She is nearing retirement from teaching.

“I have spent just over half of my life getting to do what I love,” she said. “But it is time to pass the torch on to someone younger and help them settle in. I was blessed to have been mentored by two great head coaches, Mike Previc in softball and Rick Walthour in golf, and I hope I can help the next person continue to grow the program.”

Seton Hill gets Kuroda

Yough standout quarterback and linebacker Raidon Kuroda, the first player in the program to run and throw for 1,000 yards in a season, signed to play at Seton Hill.

Kuroda threw for 1,388 yards and 15 touchdowns, and rushed for 1,006 yards and 13 scores last season for the Cougars.

He also had 71 tackles and three sacks. He was recruited to play defense.

Bugosh picks W&J

Mt. Pleasant senior Rylin Bugosh, a prolific soccer goal scorer, committed to play at NCAA Division III member Washington & Jefferson.

Bugosh, a speedy forward, had 23 goals and 16 assists last season and helped the Lady Vikings win a section title.

She finished her career with 92 goals.

Karfelt to UPG

Ryan Karfelt, a senior at Mt. Pleasant, recently completed the Pennsylvania State Polive Hill Impact Program and will continue his education and golf career at Pitt-Greensburg, where he will study criminal justice.

Hornyak in all-star game

Hempfield senior football lineman Jacob Hornyak was added to the East-West big-schools all-star game May 18 at Cumberland Valley. He will join teammate Aidan Allison and his coach, Nick Keefer, on the West team.

Hornyak is a 5-foot-10, 260-pound center and defensive tackle.

Coach addition

New Southmoreland football coach Dustin Shoaf added another assistant to his staff.

Frank Muccino joins the Scotties after a successful run as special teams coach at Belle Vernon.

He also is the longtime boys basketball coach at Southmoreland.

Muccino won two WPIAL and two PIAA titles with Belle Vernon.

Recruiting

• Hempfield football player Brock Heisler added a Division I college offer from Sacramento State. The Hornets’ new coach is Brennan Marion, a Greensburg Salem alum.

• Carly Coletta of Hempfield committed to Morehead State for cheerleading.

• Jeannette basketball player Mary Jones will continue her playing career at Westmoreland County Community College.

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

Tags: Belle Vernon, Derry Area, Hempfield, Mt. Pleasant, Southmoreland, Yough