Westmoreland high school notebook: Norwin’s Bown commits to YSU women’s soccer team

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, March 29, 2025 | 5:24 PM

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Back from an injury, midfielder Nicole Bown is ready for a new chapter in her soccer career.

Bown, who played only about half a season last fall at Norwin because of a torn MCL and the accompanying surgery, made a verbal commitment to play at Youngstown State.

Norwin coach Ashley DeVito said Bown played just six games last season, but her presence was felt.

“She was a great asset to our team in terms of connecting our defensive and attacking half,” DeVito said. “We used her a lot in transition on both sides of the ball. I am thrilled to have Nicole back and healthy for her senior year. Youngstown State is getting not only a tremendous talent but a fantastic teammate and leader.”

Bown also considered Ohio, Iona, Saint Francis (Pa.), Cleveland State and Robert Morris, but she called YSU the perfect fit. The Penguins were the first to make her an offer.

She said she heard good things about new Penguins coach Rich Wall.

“When I met him, it really showed,” she said. “I really liked his genuine compassion for building a new program at YSU, and he believes I could be a good fit. I also felt very comfortable with some of the girls who will be attending like Ava Yurko (Latrobe) and Kendalyn Umbel (Yough), who I already know.

“A bonus is that the facilities and academics are great and close to home.”

Even after her injury, Bown remained a voice on the team.

“Nicole helped to keep our team organized and motivated from the bench after her injury,” DeVito said. “Just as she did when she was on the field playing.”

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Gess who?

Derry junior Jeremiah Gess could be building toward a big track and field season.

Gess last week etched his name into the program record book. It took some elbow grease to scrub a previous record away.

Gess cleared 13 feet, 6 inches in the pole vault to overtake Larry Stauffer’s mark of 13 feet.

Stauffer’s record was set in 1971.

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Norwin athletes de-commit

Norwin track and field standout Eliezer Nicolas had his future plans ironed out, or so he thought.

The senior from Norwin had committed to continue his career at Saint Francis (Pa.), but then a hammer fell last week when the university announced plans to drop from NCAA Division I to Division III.

Nicolas almost immediately announced his de-commitment on X, reopening his recruiting.

“I was shocked, devastated and and realized that there is better elsewhere,” he said. “Obviously, my family is heartbroken, but God has my back.”

Another Norwin athlete followed suit a day after the Red Flash’s decision. Football lineman Colin Bruno pulled his commitment from SFU. He was a preferred walk-on.

Bruno immediately drew an offer from Division I Mercyhurst.

Mike Strutt, who also accepted a preferred walk-on to SFU, also decided to withdraw his commitment and open his recruitment.

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Players of the week

A pair of local boys volleyball players were lauded by the Western PA Volleyball Coaches Association.

Latrobe senior setter Eric Bisignani and Hempfield senior outside hitter Drew Gordon were named Class 3A players of the week.

Several local teams remained in the association’s top-10 rankings.

In 3A, Latrobe is No. 4, Penn-Trafford is No. 6, Hempfield No. 7 and Norwin No. 8.

Derry is No. 9 in 2A.

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Tourney win

Latrobe volleyball won the North Allegheny Invitational, regarded as a big-name event early in the season by coaches because of the loaded field.

This year’s teams included Central York, the top-ranked 3A team in the state, No. 2 North Allegheny and 2A No. 1 Manheim Central.

After pool play, Latrobe beat Fox Chapel and Canon-McMillan, then met Ambridge in the semifinals. The Bridgers upset North Allegheny, 25-17. Latrobe edged them 25-23.

In the finals, the Wildcats held back Manheim Central, 25-21.

Owen Ward delivered a tying kill (24-24), and Bisignani’s defense allowed Latrobe to take a 26-25 lead.

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Recruiting

Hempfield football player Brock Heisler (6-3, 255) added another Division I offer to his still-growing list.

Stony Brook gave him an opportunity to play in the Coastal Athletic Association.

• Three Mt. Pleasant athletes have made college decisions. Jarret Garn will continue his football career at Saint Vincent, while teammate Logan Parson heads to Washington & Jefferson.

Garn ran for 443 yards, had 19 receptions for 489 yards and scored 10 touchdowns last yeart as a pass-catching running back. His highlight touchdown catch against Yough made ESPN SportsCenter’s Top 10 Plays.

Parson is a tight end and linebacker.

Ryan Karfelt, meanwhile, will play golf at Pitt-Greensburg.

• Two Latrobe track and field athletes committed to college programs. Mia Klasnic will compete at Robert Morris, while Adam Piper is going to Seton Hill.

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

Tags: Derry Area, Hempfield, Latrobe, Norwin, Penn-Trafford