Fox chapel 2013 by PSR

2012-2013

Sports Scene

Fox Chapel Area Sports Scene is a publication of KidSports Magazine and Pittsburgh Sports Report Inc. KidSports Magazine is a parents’ guide to youth sports, providing information on all aspects of youth physical fitness. Working with a carefully selected group of medical professionals — including pediatricians, orthopaedic surgeons, child behavioral specialists, sports psychologists, certified athletic trainers, physical therapists, and registered nurses — as well as coaches, administrators, former athletes, parents and children themselves, KidSports Magazine provides advice, tips and tools from experts in their fields. AUTHOR/CONTRIBUTOR Sue Gottlieb Fox Chapel Athletic Dept.

Welcome

...to the inaugural issue of Fox Chapel Area Sports Scene, our new virtual magazine designed to connect you with news, updates, and helpful information about athletics within the Fox Chapel Area School District. Over the years and continuing to this day, our athletic program has enjoyed many inspiring accomplishments that we feel are worth sharing. For example, each year about 400 students qualify for our Scholar Athlete Award by maintaining a 3.5 grade point average or higher. During the past year, our varsity high school teams earned a 74.4 percent overall winning record and 16 out of 24 teams qualified for the WPIAL playoffs, while quite a few school records also were shattered. Fox Chapel Area Sports Scene will document these noteworthy achievements through feature articles and photographs and provide sports-related information on topics affecting our young athletes. We’ll also highlight essential information that students, parents, and spectators need to know, as well as keep everyone well-informed about the direction and progress of our various athletic endeavors. I hope you enjoy Fox Chapel Area Sports Scene and find it a useful and interesting source of information.

Go Foxes! Sincerely,

Pittsburgh Sports Report Inc. 40 Lincoln Way Suite 301 North Huntingdon PA 15642-1887

Michael O’Brien Director of Athletics Fox Chapel Area School District

412.469.9717 Fax 412.469.9847 1.800.945.SPORTS (7767)

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What You Need to Know About Preparticipation Physicals All student athletes attending Fox Chapel Area High School and Dorseyville Middle School are required to obtain preparticipation physical examinations before they can try out for an interscholastic team or participate in any practices or competitions. Physical exams are offered free of charge by the district. Students may also go to their personal physician. Where do I get the forms? A: Coaches will distribute the physical

What if my child cannot attend the designated date for a physical? A: No make-up physicals are provided.

You will need to obtain the exam and Who gets the completed forms? have all forms completed by your per- A: Forms must be given to the coach of your child’s team or delivered to the sonal licensed physician. athletic office on or before the first day What is the earliest my child can or preseason practice. No athlete will be permitted to participate in any get an exam from our physician? A: Physicals must be acquired no more practice or games until the completed than six weeks prior to the first practice physical forms are submitted. or tryout. The one exception is for the fall sports season, when physicals can How do I know when the physicals are being conducted? be done on or after June 1. A: The schedule of all physical times and locations will be posted at How long do the physicals last? www.fcasdathletics.org. A: Approximately 45 minutes.

packet at their preseason meetings. Forms may also be obtained from the high school athletic office, DMS main office or online along with other information on the athletic department website at www.fcasdathletics.org. All How should my son or daughter forms may be found under the heading dress for the physical? “FORMS and HANDBOOK.” A: Shorts and T-shirts are fine. When does the school offer sports physicals? A: Physicals are offered approximately

one month before the start of the winter and spring sports seasons. Fall physicals will occur each year on or after June 1, or prior to the end of the school year. Locations and dates of physicals will be posted on the athletic department website one month prior to the scheduled physicals. Who does the school district employ to perform physicals? A: The school works in conjunction

a signed clearance from his or her treating physician.

My child plays more than one sport. Does he/she need to get a physical for each sport? A: No. One physical is sufficient for the

entire academic calendar year. If my child played a sport during the fall and wants to play in the spring, what forms are needed? A: Section 7 of the PIAA Physical

form. The form should be turned into the athletic office or the head coach prior to beginning practice.

What is ImPACT testing and how often is it administered? A: Immediate Post-Impact Concussion

Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT™) is a simple yet helpful test for concussion that is mandatory for all students participating in a contact or collision sport. It is administered to 7th, 9th and 11th grade students by Fox Chapel Area High School’s certified athletic trainers. Should a head injury occur while an athlete is playing a contact or collision interscholastic sport, medical personnel can then compare results to help determine the extent of the problem.

For more information contact John Panos, assistant athletic director and with UPMC’s Drs. John, Chantz, certified athletic trainer at 412-967Probst, Bierdrzyci and Associates. tices or contests, the student must have 4407 or at john_panos@fcasd.edu.

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What is the injury policy? A: In order to participate in any prac-

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Proper Hydration is Key to Top Performance Getting teenage athletes to drink the right fluids at the right time can help them achieve performances that match their determination. But even more importantly, adequate hydration will stave off dehydration, a precursor to serious conditions such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion. It has been estimated that as many as two-thirds of kids go to practice in danger of becoming dehydrated. Why? They only drink when they start to feel thirsty, but by the time they’ve waited that long, their dehydration has already started. “Poor performance, easy fatigue and headaches are common signs of dehydration,” says Tanya Hagen, M.D., who specializes in sports medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s (UPMC) Center for Sports Medicine. “By the time there are mental status changes or sunken eyes, it has become severe.” While cramping is usually a muscle fatigue issue, it goes hand in hand with heat illness and dehydration. “Depending upon the length and intensity of the workout and climate, athletes usually lose between one to four pounds of sweat that needs to be replaced,” says Dr. Hagen, who cares for athletes from all levels — high school, college, professional and elite — has been a medical consultant for the Pittsburgh Steelers and currently is associate team physician to the Pittsburgh Penguins. “Everyone has a different sweat rate and this is affected by clothing, environment and intensity of activity. For a more accurate sweat rate, athletes Page

can calculate their personal sweat rates, but as a general rule, replacing 25 ounces of fluid for every pound lost during exercise is usually a reasonable estimate.” That rule applies to both male and female athletes. Within 30 minutes after the conclusion of an event, athletes need to begin a 24-hour rehydration process to replace lost fluid and used glycogen stores. While keeping hydrated may sound like an obvious thing to do, doing it correctly actually takes some planning ahead. That means remembering to get plenty of fluids, even when students are in school the next day and it’s easy to forget or not quite as convenient to drink enough fluids. Equally as important, says Dr. Hagen, is to maintain proper nutrition that usually includes a pregame meal approximately four hours prior to an event and then a small snack right before the practice or competition begins. As far as what’s best to drink, it depends upon the length and intensity of the workout. “Rehydrating before, during, and after with water is fine for activities that are low to moderate in intensity and last less than one hour,” Dr. Hagen explains. “For longer events and those played in hot and humid weather, it’s best to

A loss of more than two percent of body weight can cause an emergency, so it is important to be aware of the signs of dehydration. These include: • Headaches • Dry or sticky mouth, lips and tongue • Eyes that look sunken into the head • Lack of urine or small amounts of dark yellow urine • Lethargy or irritability • Poor performance • Rapid heartbeat • Lack of tears rehydrate with sports drinks because they contain important nutrients such as carbohydrates, electrolytes, sodium, and potassium.” While football is notorious for dehydration because of the heavy equipment and hot playing conditions, Dr. Hagen cautions that any sport can cause severe dehydration, even those that might not be as obvious, such as ice hockey and swimming. Also, sports that offer few opportunities to go to the sidelines and rehydrate during a competition — soccer, distance running, lacrosse and field hockey — require at least 24 hours of rehydration. Finally, Dr. Hagen has one last reminder: Spectators sitting in the heat for long periods of time are not immune to dehydration and need to take precautions to rehydrate as well. Spring

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2012

Fall Sports Review

The trophy cases at Fox Chapel Area High School are brimming with new, shiny medals as a result of a stellar fall sports season. Eight out of ten teams had winning records; three were section champs, two made it to the WPIAL quarterfinals, two teams were WPIAL runner-ups, and girls’ field hockey won its first WPIAL championship since 1997. The fall also marked the first time in school history that three teams advanced to statewide PIAA competition — boys’ cross country, girls’ field hockey, and girls’ volleyball. With all fall sports squads teeming with young, promising talent, fans should have plenty to look forward to in the coming years.

Boys’ Cross Country If the boys’ cross country team set out to shake up some school records, they certainly accomplished their mission. For the first time in school history, the team advanced to the PIAA championships in Hershey, a feat preceded by earning a perfect 8-0 record, the silver medal at the WPIAL championships, and the Class AAA Section 4 championship, which had eluded them since 2003. The Foxes’ team placed 12th at the state team competition and was represented by seniors James Humphrey, Karthik Narayanan, and John Shymansky; juniors Colin Martin and Ethan Martin; and sophomores Aaron Bliss and Elias Graca. In the Class AAA PIAA cross country individual competition that fielded 219 runners, Ethan finished 5th with a time of 16:00, while Colin crossed the finish line in 16:22 and earned 16th place. Other Fox Chapel Area PIAA individual qualifiers were Bliss, Travis Eckman, Gracas, Humphrey, Naryana, and Shymansky. Ethan Martin was one of only two runners from the WPIAL to be named to the all-state team.

Girls’ Cross Country Much of the team’s success came from contributions from young runners who helped propel it to a 6-2 section record, and an overall record of 8-2. Seven underclassmen — sophomores Greta Altmeyer and Sonia Appasamy, and freshmen Erin Curry, Emily Germanos, Mary Humphrey, Angelin Lucas, and Maura Whelan — joined senior alternate Katherine Meisner on the team representing the Foxes at the WPIAL competition. Coach Tom Moul was pleased with the team’s evolution and expects good things next year. Spring

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Girls’ Tennis After earning a 12-2 section record, the girls’ tennis team celebrated another victorious season with its fifth consecutive return to the Class AAA WPIAL team tournament. An impressive show of freshmen dominance made Fox Chapel Area High School an imposing presence at the WPIAL individual competitions, as well. Freshman Laurel Shymansky won the Class AAA Section 3 singles championship and then teamed with fellow freshman Lacey Cohen to sweep the doubles championship. Coach Alex Slezak is understandably optimistic about next year. He plans

to teach the young players who achieved early success how to withstand the increased pressure and expectations they will face, while also helping every team member reach her full potential. Boys’ Soccer Depth, versatility, and great technical and tactical abilities powered the boys’ soccer team to a 9-2-1 section record and yet another trip to the WPIAL Class AAA playoffs. The team’s strengths enabled coach Erik Ingram to use a more inclusive and continued on Page 6 Page

2012 Fall Sports Review Boys’ Soccer cont. balanced attack that competitors found hard to defend. With so many players able to score from different positions on the field and a talented bench that scrambled up the attack, the Foxes were able to generate points from 13 different players. Allsection honors went to juniors Jack Dickens, Connor Duquette, Gregory Fiorillo, and Shota Furuhata; and sophomore Cole Ryan. Senior Griffin Burke was all-section honorable mention. Dickens and Furuhata also were voted all-WPIAL. With more than 20 players with varsity experience returning, Coach Ingram anticipates another strong season in 2013.

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Girls’ Field Hockey This year, girls’ field hockey proved it is a legitimate, perennial powerhouse and should be mentioned in the same conversation with North Allegheny, PennTrafford, and the region’s other premiere programs. For the first time in school history, and after their third appearance in four years, the team finally seized the WPIAL Class AAA championship title, 1-0, in an overtime battle against an aggressive Penn-Trafford squad. Within 10 hours of winning the WPIAL championship game, they were on their way to the PIAA competition, but exhaustion and poor conditions might have contributed to their loss in the first game. Coach Jen McCrady said a balanced attack, improved quickness, defensive stick

skills, phenomenal leadership, and the intangible factors of team spirit and unbridled determination all were factors in their success. That same combination drove the team to a regular season record of 9-1 and the Class AAA Section 2 co-champions crown. The team will lose six seniors — all starters — but five returning starters and what Coach McCrady calls the most impressive freshmen class she has ever coached will lead the team to an exciting future. Senior goalie Alaina George was named all-section, and senior defender Elizabeth Martin was named all-section honorable mention. Senior forward Kate Hardiman and senior midfielder Rose Grennan were selected to the all-section and all-WPIAL teams.

Girls’ Soccer Consider these statistics and they pretty much sum up the year for the girls’ soccer team – 11 consecutive wins, 11 shutouts, an invitation to the WPIAL playoffs, and six players voted all-section, the most in school history. The team went 16-2 in regular season play and at one time was the No. 2-ranked team in the WPIAL. However, Coach Erik Duffy says the thing that impressed him most and far exceeded his expectations was how the girls adapted so easily to challenges and approached obstacles as a team. With the team losing only two

starters, it’s probably a good bet Coach Duffy will revise his expectations for next year and set even loftier goals. Voted all-section were seniors Yayoi Furuhata and Jessie Thiessen, and juniors Janelle DeBaldo, Sarah Friedland, Lauren Kelly, and Theresa Scheiffarth. Theissen and Kelly also were allWPIAL picks.

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school history, advanced to the PIAA girls’ volleyball playoffs. Postseason honors went to Bradley and Herrmann, who were named Class AAA Section 3 all-section first team. Meinert and junior Megan Hollingsworth were named all-section second team, while Hess, Michaela Patsko, Betsy Slagel, and Slovenec were voted allsection honorable mention. Opponents should expect more of the same from the Lady Foxes next season due to a strong class of upcoming seniors and future sophomores who gained valuable varsity experience this year.

2012 Fall Sports Review Girls’ Volleyball After moving to one of the toughest girls’ volleyball sections in the WPIAL, Coach Sara D’Angelo knew it might be a David vs. Goliath season, especially judging from their performance early on. Instead, the team stunned more than a few people when they came back with ferocity and toppled perennial powers North Spring

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Allegheny, Pine-Richland, and Seneca Valley. Seniors Sarah Bradley, Riley Herrmann, Alyson Hess, Marcy Meinert, and Carly Slovenec led the team to a 9-3 Section 3 Class AAA record, an impressive 17 consecutive game win streak, and a regular season ranking of ninth in the state by the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association. In the playoffs, they tapped what had worked most of the year — their ability to control the pace of the game; strong defense, service, and passing; and amazing team chemistry — to win the WPIAL runner-up title and for first time in

Boys’ Golf Balanced and consistent play drove the boys’ golf team to an unblemished section record of 12-0, another WPIAL Class AAA section championship title, and a trip to the WPIAL team championship. The Foxes’ top players averaged 41.9 or better for nine holes, with junior Patrick Sheerer leading the way at 39.13. Juniors Jorden Alfery and Charles Friend claimed the individual Class AAA Section 4 co-champions title for the Foxes and advanced to the playoffs. Coach Bryan Deal is quick to point out that the team possessed 10 outstanding players, any of whom would start on 98 percent of teams in the WPIAL. Unfortunately, the team wasn’t able to parlay its success into a WPIAL Class AAA team championship this year, but with one of the deepest and most talented lineups in the WPIAL — six of the top seven players are only juniors — expectations are high for a repeat or even better season in 2013. Page

Fox Chapel Area’s 2013 Class of College Recruits Six senior athletes will represent Fox Chapel Area next year as recruits for NCAA Division I and Division II colleges and universities. It is the largest class of top-level recruits in at least eight years. To put these accomplishments in perspective, only about two percent of high school athletes win athletic scholarships every year at NCAA colleges and universities. Fox Chapel Area’s student-athletes receiving athletic or academic scholarships to play sports at Division I and Division II levels are: Girls’ Golf After a multiple-year run with Natalie Bonaroti – Lacrosse some of the best girls’ golfers in Marist College (Division I) school history and the state, Coach John Broderick wasn’t quite sure Ashley DeMoss – Golf what to expect this season. There Marshall University (Division I) was a big changeover in the roster and he had many new players. One Jen Moran – Softball thing he did know was that senior Gannon University (Division II) Ashley DeMoss had years of playing experience alongside a dynasty Alexander Romango – of great Lady Foxes’ players, and Football , Bucknell University that she was well prepared to lead (Division I) the team in her final year. She did just that by qualifying a second time Josh Tublin – Volleyball for the WPIAL Class AAA finals Ohio State University (Division I) and finishing as the alternate for the PIAA Western Regional tournaElly Wagner – Softball ment. DeMoss has accepted a University of North Carolina scholarship offer to continue her (Division I) golf career at Marshall University, an NCAA Division I program. The Congratulations to these collegetask now, says Coach Broderick, is bound athletes who have blended for young players to work hard in their academic and athletic acthe off-season and gain experience complishments into well-earned by playing in summer tournaments. scholarships at the NCAA level.

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Football The new WPIAL alignments returned the Foxes to arguably the toughest Class AAAA conference in the area. Several players earned postseason awards, including junior defensive back Nigel Garnett, voted all-section first team. Junior kicker Connor Duquette and junior linebacker Quinton Wirginis were all-section honorable mention, and junior defensive back Chad Garnett earned all-section second team. The squad possessed its largest freshmen roster in many years, enabling Coach Eric Ravotti to reinstitute a ninth grade team that gave young players more game day experience. A back-to-basics philosophy resulted in a new alliance with the area’s youth football program, now renamed Fox Chapel Area Guyasuta Football. The relationship is intended to pattern itself after Fox Chapel Area’s successful soccer program; support the developmental process; and build continuity by keeping the district’s players together as a team until they are eligible for interscholastic sports. It is not an immediate solution, but the long-term results might be worth the wait. Spring

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Be a

FAN, Not a Fanatic

There’s nothing more uplifting than an enthusiastic crowd whose spirited cheering encourages their favorite players and team. However, that experience can quickly sour when overzealous fans cross the line of good behavior and ruin the event for everyone, including other fans, coaches, referees, and even the athletes themselves. What’s more, it goes against all of the lessons coaches are trying to instill in their teenage athletes – respect for others, teamwork, dedication, integrity, and ethical behavior. Besides reflecting a negative impression of the school, students and community, poor sportsmanship also makes it very difficult to be a coach in today’s society. “It is important for fans to remember that coaches work diligently to place their teams in a position to have success,“ says Michael O’Brien, athletic director for the Fox Chapel Area School District. “They spend countless hours away from their own families to work with other peoples’ children and provide an experience that will hopefully prepare them for challenges later in life.” O’Brien thinks fans who place winning above all else have lost sight that interscholastic athletics are an extension of the classroom and the educational experience. “Taunting or booing a coach, player, or referee because they don’t like a decision or an outcome has no place in scholastic athletics or anywhere,” says O’Brien. Spring

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In recent years, the PIAA has instituted a program called “Sportsmanship, The Only Missing Piece is You,” which places strong emphasis on the importance of good sportsmanship and making everyone associated with athletics take note of how their behavior influences others, whether they are aware of it or not. In accordance with the rules put forth by the PIAA and WPIAL, the Fox Chapel Area School District supports positive actions that help fans from becoming fanatics: 1. Participate in positive cheering that encourages athletes and discourage any cheering that redirects that focus. 2. Respect the contest officials and their decisions. Being an official is not an easy job. 3. Learn, understand, and respect the rules of the contest. 4. Respect opponents as students and acknowledge them for trying their best. 5. Encourage student-athletes to perform their best, just as you would urge them in their schoolwork. 6. Respect the reality that others will always turn in better or lesser performances. 7. Applaud at the end of a contest for all performances by all participants. “Everybody likes to win and everyone wants to play,” O’Brien adds, “but remember, these young athletes are trying their best. It is a learning experience for students and sometimes mistakes are made. But, I’ve never known anyone who went out there with the intent to lose or play poorly.” Page

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Winter Sports Review

During a Pittsburgh winter that seemed like it would never end, the success of the season’s sports teams came as a welcome distraction. Fox Chapel Area High School possessed some of the top teams and individual performances in the region and the state. The significance of their accomplishments should not be overlooked, considering each team’s success could be attributed in part to some significant contributions from young and relatively inexperienced student athletes. The combination of youthful athletes and significant numbers of returning letter winners in each sport should make next year stronger than ever.

Wrestling The Foxes’ progression throughout the season brings to mind the adage, “It’s not where you start, it’s where you finish.” With freshmen and sophomores comprising half of his starting lineup, coach Ron Frank was very pleased with how his hard-working young team improved. A handful of seniors provided leadership to lock in a 7-9 overall record in a very difficult conference, but by the end of the year the squad improved so much that it finished second out of 12 teams at the Sharon Team Duals Tournament. Other season highlights included four grapplers who qualified for the WPIAL championships: senior Jared Rice (106 lbs.), junior Richard Giovanetti (182 lbs.), sophomore Tyler Heasley (152 lbs.), and heavyweight senior Tyler Lever, who advanced to the WPIAL Semifinals. Coach Frank, now in his 33rd year as

Boys’ Basketball Strong camaraderie and the ability to play at an even tempo led to an exciting season, especially against McKeesport, as the Foxes pulled out a pair of buzzerbeater wins. For much of the year, the team seesawed between first and second place in Class AAAA Section 2 before eventually placing third with records of 10-4 in conference play, and 16-6 overall. Their payoff wasn’t just qualifying for the WPIAL playoffs, but winning their first round game against Hempfield, Fox Chapel Area’s first WPIAL playoff win since 2007. Junior guard Matt D’Amico was the 7th leading scorer in the WPIAL with 477 regular season points and junior Page

head coach, says a great crop of returning young wrestlers (most of whom are freshmen and represent the largest number of freshmen in more than a decade), upperclassmen who posted good performances this year, and talent rising from the middle school program give reason to expect a bright future for the wrestling program.

guard Brian Papich placed in the top 20. Senior Nate Huwar was selected to play in the Cager Classic All-Star Game, where he won the 3-point contest in the skills competition. He also played in the Champions Association All-Star Game, coached by Foxes’ head coach Zach Skrinjar. In other post-season news, Fox Chapel Area had the most picks for the all-section team — D’Amico and Papich, both 6’2” juniors — and D’Amico also was voted to the WPIAL AAAA All-League team and as one of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review’s Top-10 Players. With a deep bench of 14 returning letter winners, the Foxes have the experience and talent to shoot for an even better season next year. Spring

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Important Dates

Girls’ Basketball The Lady Foxes ranked as one of the top-10 WPIAL Class AAAA teams for much of the season, which was pretty remarkable considering the team had untried talent and freshmen who needed to step up to key roles early in the season. Coach Meghan Meabon says they accepted that challenge enthusiastically and got off to a hot start at the Seneca Valley Tip-Off Tournament, where they clinched the championship title. The combination of experienced players and freshmen resulted in a 10-2 conference record and the AAAA Section 2 Co-Champions title. Overall, the Foxes went 18-6. The Spring

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team was pitted against Butler in the first round of the WPIAL championship games and came home victorious with a 45-36 win. However, they suffered a heart-breaking secondround loss, 45-42, to Mt. Lebanon, the top-seeded powerhouse that makes a habit of winning WPIAL and PIAA titles. In the postseason, seniors Alexa Yaksich and Rachel Ranii were selected to play in the prestigious Cager Classic All-Star Game. Duke-bound junior Erin Mathias finished the regular season with 383 points and was named to the Pennsylvania Sportswriters’ AAAA All-State first team. The 6’3” junior also was nominated

August 2, 2013 Completed, signed physical packets are due in the athletic office for all fall sports participants. Students who do not submit these completed forms will not be permitted to participate in any practices or competitions until all info is submitted. August 7, 8, 9, 2013 Heat acclimation training at the high school for 9th grade, junior varsity and varsity football players. August 12, 2013 First day of preseason practices for fall high school sports teams. November 18, 2013 First day of practice for winter high school sports teams. March 3, 2014 First day of practice for all spring high school sports teams. for the Gatorade Player of the Year award based on her academic and athletic achievements. Locally, Mathias was named to the AAAA Section 2 All-Section Team, the WPIAL AllLeague Team, was voted one of the WPIAL “Fab 5” by the Pittsburgh PostGazette, and also was their pick as the WPIAL AAAA Player of the Year. The combination of five returning letter winners and young players with newfound confidence should make the Lady Foxes serious contenders again next season. Page

2012-2013 Winter

Sports Review

Swimming and Diving Talk about saving the best for last. The Foxes did just that at the WPIAL championships when they broke eight school records in just one short weekend. Four divers and 15 swimmers represented Fox Chapel Area in 18 out of 22 events. Besides those achievements, both the boys’ and the girls’ swim teams placed in the WPIAL top 10. There should be plenty of excitement in the pool in the foreseeable future since the teams are laden with much young talent and there are no seniors on a diving team that surpassed expectations all season.

Girls’ Swimming and Diving The girls’ team powered its way to an overall record of 11-3, a section record of 6-1, and a 9th place finish at the WPIAL Swimming and Diving Championships. Swimmers who qualified for WPIAL competition included seniors Alexis Boyd, Claire McCarthy, Anna Mucci, and Amanda Todd; junior Sia Beasley; sophomores Maura Clark and Franny Dean; and freshman Kelly Arel. Sophomore divers Emily Eames and Miranda Simon also qualified. Dean placed 4th in the 500 freestyle and also had a time of 1:08.13 for the 100-breast stroke to set a new school record. Beasley finished 7th in the 100 yd. backstroke, and Simon and Eames placed 4th and 6th, respectively. Simon and Eames performed so well during the season that they each earned a spot in Fox Chapel Area’s exclusive 200Point Club, something that hadn’t been achieved by any female divers since 1998. Dean, Beasley, Simon, and Eames advanced to the PIAA Championships where Beasley earned a 7th place medal in the 100 backstroke.

Girls’ Gymnastics The Lady Foxes hit their stride this season with their best year yet under head coach Leah McDonough. The team finished with a 6-2 record and fifth at the WPIAL championships. In addition, seven gymnasts — the largest number in school history — qualified for individual WPIAL championship events. They included sophomores Missy Eschman (vault, floor, beam, bars), Sophie Roe (vault, floor, beam, bars,), Page

Boys’ Swimming and Diving The boys were 9-5 overall, 4-3 in section meets, and placed 9th at the WPIAL team competition. Swimmers qualifying for the WPIAL championships were seniors Travis Eckman, Ryan Foster, Scott Sterrett and Zihan Su; junior Dante Cordaro; and sophomores Noah Cagley and Andrew Siar. Junior diver Addison Lynch and sophomore diver John Zottola also qualified for WPIAL competition. Su, Cordaro, Sterrett, and Cagley advanced to the PIAA championships where Sterrett finished 11th in the 200 IM. Several school records fell this year: • 400 free relay – Cagley, Su, Foster, and Sterrett broke a 34-year old mark • 200 medley relay – Su, Cordaro, Sterrett, and Cagley set a new FCA record of 1:37.94 • 200 IM – Sterrett swam a 1:54.54, breaking the previous school record by 2.86 seconds • 200 freestyle – Cagley set a new FCA record time of 1:44.64 • 100 freestyle – Cagley’s set a new FCA record time of 47.45 • 100 backstroke – Su’s 52.99 set a new FCA record • 100 breastroke – Sterrett finished at 58.36 to break the old mark

Jenny Mountz (vault), Krissy Mountz (vault, floor, beam, bars), and Rachael Szabo (vault); juniors Megan Hollingsworth (vault, floor beam, bars) and Shanna Boden (vault, beam); and senior Maya Lantgios (vault, advanced division). Eschman’s 3rd place finish on the bars and 6th place score on the beam qualified her for the statewide meet. Coach McDonough was pleased with the team’s depth and has high expectations for next year. Spring

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Thinking of Playing in College? If you are a student athlete hoping to play sports at the college level, it’s never too early to start planning, both athletically and academically. Your future as a NCAA Division I or Division II scholarship prospect begins with your academic record. Starting with the 2015-16 academic year, the NCAA will implement new and more stringent scholastic eligibility requirements for DI and DII prospects. (Division III schools offer non-athletic financial aid and set their own admission standards and eligibility requirements.) The revised standards for DI and DII colleges and universities include a minimum core-course GPA of 2.300, changes in the GPA/test score index (sliding scale), and an increase in how many core courses must be completed before the senior year. In order to fully qualify for an athletic scholarship and compete in the first year of college, student athletes must complete 16 core courses, 10 of which must be taken prior to the senior year. A 2.300 GPA must be maintained in those 16 courses. Of the 10 courses completed, seven must be in English, math or science. Key Recruiting Checklist Freshman & Sophomore Year • Work with your school counselor to meet NCAA standards; • Take the PSAT as a sophomore; • Participate in off-season camps; and • Ask your coach for a realistic evaluation of your college athletic potential. Spring

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The core courses include: • 4 years English; • 3 years math at Algebra I level or higher; • 2 years natural or physical science (one lab if offered at any high school attended); • 1 year additional English, math or natural/physical science; • 2 years social science; and • 4 years additional from areas above or foreign language, philosophy or comparative religion. Student athletes also must achieve certain scores on their ACT or SAT based on a sliding scale using their 16-core course GPA. If a student maintains a high GPA, he or she may not require as high a standardized test score. For example, a 2.5 core-course GPA requires a minimum 1,000 SAT or 85 ACT score, while a 2.95 GPA requires only an 820 on the SAT or a 68 on the ACT. The entire scale can be found at www.eligibilitycenter.org. Athletes who meet NCAA requirements are eligible for aid and may practice and compete as freshmen. Junior Year • Work with guidance counselors to assure NCAA compliance; • Take SAT or ACT in spring; • Ask coaches to re-evaluate your athletic performance; • Send letters of interest to colleges; • Create short highlight films to send to coaches; and • Attend camps at colleges.

Athletes who do not score high enough on the sliding scale can qualify for an academic red shirt, meaning athletic financial aid may be available the first year under certain conditions. He or she may practice in the first regular term, but not compete. In order to remain eligible, a student must be academically successful after completing the first semester or quarter of college. While all of this information may sound a bit confusing, there are resources available to help guide you through the process. Talk with your coach and school counselor, contact the NCAA Eligibility Center, and speak with college admissions representatives and coaches. Additionally, each year the Fox Chapel Area High School Athletic Department offers a free seminar on the college recruiting process, which includes a segment for audience questions. Look for information on the event on the department’s website, www.fcasdathletics.org. The Student Handbook (available for download on the athletic website under the section “forms”) also contains useful information. In order to be able to participate at the Division I or Division II level, all athletics must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center online at www.eligibilitycenter.org, or call the center’s customer service line at 877262-1492.

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Fox Chapel Area Schools

Hall of Fame News

INDUCTEES Lori (Barry) Smith ’84: Soccer. Three-year starter and letter winner. Nominated to High School All-American team as a senior. Captain of WPIAL runner-up. Olympic Development Program Eastern Regional Team. Four-year starter at Harvard. Two-time AllIvy League selection. Regional AllAmerican at Harvard. Ben Fortun ’96: Soccer, Basketball, Baseball. Eight varsity letters in three sports. Twotime All-WPIAL in soccer (midfield as junior, goalkeeper as senior). Captain 1995 WPIAL Champions. Flagler College Four-year starter, All-Conference defender. Andrew Tsai ‘00: Basketball, Soccer. Co-captain and team MVP of both sports as senior. Played on two WPIAL runner-up teams (basketball 97-98, soccer 98-99). All-WPIAL in soccer, all-section in basketball. Three-year starter at MIT. School records for 3-point field goals in a game and in a season, 3-point field goal percentage and career 3-point field goals. Page

MIT team MVP, NEWMAC AllAcademic Team, New England Coaches All-Star Team, NEWMAC All-Tournament Team. Emily (Shoplik) Stipanovich ’01: Golf. Four varsity letters, four-year starter. WPIAL Individual Champion and Medalist at WPIAL Team Championships, 2000. Two-time PIAA qualifier. 2001 Herald Female Athlete of the Year. Xavier University, three-year letter-winner. National Golf Coaches Association Academic All-American, 2002. Jim Marelli: Football. Coached football at Fox Chapel Area for 18 years. Head coach from 1979 through 1988. Two-time conference champions. Two-time WPIAL semifinalist. Five-year period as head coach winning over 70 percent of games. Julie (Siefried) Dillenberg: Aspinwall ’59. Rifle. Aspinwall Hall of Fame inductee. First Aspinwall state champion, 1957. Set all school records with a perfect score for the entire 1959 season.

The Fox Chapel Area Schools Sports Hall of Fame is honored to announce the class of 2013. The induction ceremony and banquet to honor our inductees was held June 2, 2013, at the Harmar House in Cheswick.

More information on the Fox Chapel Area Schools Hall of Fame may be obtained at http://fcsportshalloffame.com. To nominate an athlete for consideration in the Fox Chapel Area Schools Sports Hall of Fame you need to complete a resume that includes a current address and phone number for the nominee, a list of the nominee’s accomplishments as a Fox Chapel Area athlete, and a list of the nominee’s significant athletic accomplishments beyond Fox Chapel Area. When completed the resume should be sent to Jim Perry, Fox Chapel Area Schools Sports Hall of Fame Nominations, PO Box 38124, Pittsburgh, PA 15238.

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Spring Sports Review

Spring sports drew some surprises, some challenges — and definitely some exhilaration — all of which capped off another winning year of sports at Fox Chapel Area High School. The boys’ volleyball team made it to the WPIAL playoffs for the 10th consecutive season, baseball qualified for the first time in six years, the always strong boys’ tennis team was represented at the WPIAL and PIAA competitions, and the athletes from track and field did exceedingly well at both the WPIAL and PIAA meets. Proving that athleticism and academic prowess can go hand-in-hand, three members of the girls’ lacrosse team were named All-Americans. To have so many student athletes represented from one team is an honor and distinction that truly reflects the girls’ character, dedication, and commitment on and off the field. Finally, members of the girls’ varsity cross country squad were awarded this year’s Team GPA Award after achieving a cumulative grade point average of 3.812. Congratulations to all.

high school, earning second place in the Section 3 AAA playoffs. Sid and his doubles’ team partner, senior Ben Short, took second in the section and WPIAL championships, and then reached the PIAA Class AAA semifinals. Coach Prevost says the squad will remain strong, thanks to plenty of young players who showed great progress this season. There’s every reason to trust Coach Prevost’s forecast — between the boys’ and girls’ teams, he figures he’s coached close to 1,000 matches for Fox Chapel Area High School. Girls’ Lacrosse Coach Jen McCrady says it’s all about fundamentals when it comes to the girls’ lacrosse team. That mentality, strong senior leadership, and speed in the midfield resulted in some very close games this season, especially when they faced three out of the top four teams in the WPIAL. In terms of progress, the team has learned a tremendous amount over the past few

years. Their performance should continue to gain momentum, thanks to the solid foundation built by the departing seniors, current players who have gained a lot of experience, and some of Pittsburgh’s best talent coming to the team in the next few years. Postseason all-section and All-WPIAL honors were awarded to senior Natalie Bonaroti, who will play Division I lacrosse at Marist College in the fall. In addition, her selection as a U.S. Lacrosse All-American (honorable mention) distinguishes her as one of the best lacrosse players in the country. Furthermore, seniors Katie Hardiman, Jessie Thiessen and Bonaroti were named U.S. Lacrosse Academic All-Americans, an award reserved only for players who exhibit exemplary skills, good sportsmanship, and the highest standards of academic achievement. Hardiman also was one of eight athletes selected by the WPIAL this year to receive a $500 scholar-athlete scholarship.

Boys’ Tennis Dave Prevost says that during the 33 years he’s coached tennis at Fox Chapel Area High School, he can’t remember a time when the boys’ team had a losing season. This year was no different. The team went 122 in section play and 14-5 overall. Freshman Sid Rajupet did a commendable job in his first year at the

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Boys’ Lacrosse A much-improved boys’ lacrosse team posted a 9-8 record and earned their first winning season. Instrumental to their progress were seniors Michael Coulston, Drew Davis, Matt German, Brian Hanus, Ben Lacomis, Holden Soffer, Rob Shuff, and Kyle Uricchio. Junior Alden Stone led the team with an average of four goals a game. A core of talented sophomores and freshmen also had very strong performances and will serve as the team’s anchors next season. Softball The team concluded their season on a high note and with a decisive win. It was just the finish Coach Tom Wamsley and his young team needed after starting off the year with virtually three strikes against them. WPIAL alignment changes had shifted the team into a very strong section, standout catcher Elly Wagner graduated early to attend North Carolina and play softball, and their starting pitcher and last season’s stats leader transferred. Even with all of those challenges, the coaching staff focused on the big picture and the fact that the youthful squad was gaining valuable experience that will pay off in the future. Senior Jen Moran, a Gannon University recruit, had a very good season and was a team leader for a roster comprised of 90 percent unPage

derclassmen. Other highlights included the team’s batting performance, especially that of junior Kaylee Pistorius who had a .395 batting average. Also, sophomore Megan Walkowski, who splits time between first and third bases, went without an error all season. Their win-loss record may not have reflected the young team’s hard work, but Coach Wamsley is optimistic that experience and upcoming talent will make for a promising future. Baseball The baseball team had a 12-8 record — their first winning season in quite awhile — and qualified for the WPIAL playoffs for the first time in six years. What’s impressive is that they accomplished it minus 14 players who graduated in 2012. Solid pitching and defense were mainstays throughout the season and were supported by an offense that powered them to wins in some close games.

Coach Michael Frank says their biggest strength was team unity and how the boys pulled together like a family to get through some rough patches. The hardworking group plans to spend more time doing offseason strength training and conditioning to overcome the loss of three seniors who headlined the starting lineup for the past three years. Next season, the team will come back with a core of returning lettermen and rookie players who gained valuable experience this year. Track and Field The Foxes had a great year filled with many stellar and inspirational performances. The boys were extremely strong going into the off season and met Coach Tom Moul’s expectations to send more athletes to the statewide meet. The girls worked hard, improved, and made good strides this season despite a lack of depth. Spring

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Boys’ Track and Field Junior Ethan Martin set a personal record and brought home the PIAA gold medal in the 3,200-meters with a time of 9:10.74. He became Fox Chapel Area High School’s first state champion since 1985 when Chris Thorpe won the 110-meter hurdles. Junior Colin Martin earned third place finishing just seconds behind his brother with a time of 9:16.12, also a personal record. Junior Brandon Mitchell ran the 110-meter hurdles in 14.62.8 and placed seventh. Prior to the statewide meet, the boys won four gold medals at the WPIAL championships, and many others joined them in qualifying for PIAA competition at Shippensburg University. First-year track and field athlete junior Brian Papich placed second in the long jump, setting a new school record, and also placed fourth in the high jump. Brandon Mitchell was the gold medalist in the 300-meter hurdles and third in the 110-meter hurdles. The Martin brothers had a 1-2 finish in the 1,600, with Ethan taking home the gold and Colin placing second. Ethan also took home the gold in the 3,200 and Colin was third. The 4 x 400-meter relay team of sophomore Elias Graca, Papich, Mitchell, and team captain senior Mike Mawhinney broke a school record and captured gold in that event. After placing in the top eight of their respective events at the qualifier, the following boys advanced to the WPIAL track and field championship: junior Nigel Garnett (100 and 200), Elias Graca (400 and 800), Colin Martin (1,600 and 3,200), Spring

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nett, junior Isabella Veradi, and freshman Maura Whelan also qualified to compete at the WPIAL meet.

Ethan Martin (1,600 and 3,200), Mike Mawhinney (400), and Brian Papich (long jump and high jump). Also qualifying for the WPIAL meet: the 4 x 800-meter relay team of senior Travis Eckman and sophomores Andrew Golio, Jacob Halasowski and Akhil Ramgopal; and the 4 x 400-meter relay team of Elias Graca, Mike Mawhinney, Brandon Mitchell, and Brian Papich. Girls’ Track and Field Sophomore Emma Slevin finished sixth at the WPIAL championships in the 1,600-meters and qualified for the PIAA meet. Athletes who qualified for the WPIAL championship by placing in the top 8 of their event at the qualifier meet included: junior Tricia Panos (100 meter dash), Emma Slevin (800 meters and 1,600 meters), and freshman Maura Whelan (3,200 meters). The 4 x 800 meter relay team of sophomores Greta Altmeyer and Sanders Ben-

Boys’ Volleyball A deep roster that blended seasoned and younger talent overcame some inconsistencies to knock off another winning season and a 10th consecutive appearance at the WPIAL Class AAA playoffs. Ranked as high as third on the WPIAL top-10 list, the team eventually established themselves as the Section 2-AAA runners-up in a conference laden with talent. They finished with a 9-3 record and 11-5 overall. The team settled into a productive rhythm by the end of the season, giving Coach Phil O’Keeffe peace of mind about the future. He says that a moment of clarity happened during the final set of the WPIAL Class AAA quarterfinal match against Penn Trafford. Five sophomores were on the court and not only played well, but also showed great presence and strength as a cohesive unit. While Coach O’Keeffe says the team had the skills to go a little deeper into the playoffs, he felt they didn’t quite have enough experience to get there — yet. Next year, their biggest loss will be Ohio Statebound Josh Tublin, who was voted to the All-Section and All-WPIAL first teams. Junior Michael Eisner was named to the All-Section first team and All-WPIAL second team. Sophomore rising stars Max DePellegrini, Andrew Tublin, and Jaysen Zaleski were voted All-Section second team, with Jaysen also elected All-WPIAL third team. Page

More Than Just Sole Mates Juniors Ethan and Colin Martin dominated the top-four in the 3,200meter race at the recent PIAA track and field championships, with Ethan, All-State in track and cross country, proving he is the best long distance runner in Pennsylvania. His time of 9:10:74, a personal best, was followed by Colin’s fourth place finish and his personal best of 9:16:12. It was an intense and exhilarating day for the boys, but also an historic one for Fox Chapel Area High School sports. The school has only won four gold medals in track and field, and Ethan’s gold is the first in nearly 30 years. The Martins also are the first brothers in school history, and possibly the first twins in state history, to seize the gold and another spot on the winners’ podium for the same race. It was an end to a grueling year, not only on the track, but also in school where they make academics a priority and take challenging Advanced Placement (AP) classes. Colin delivers a cumulative weighted GPA of 4.2, with Ethan pulling in a 4.1. The twins train 365 days a year, never easing off of their rigid routine. Ethan says their resting day is Sunday when they take a mere 5-mile run. It’s probably part of the reason why he was able to shave more than 14 seconds from his performance in the 3,200 at last year’s PIAA championship when he took seventh place. He also ran the 1,600 a year ago, but chose just one event this year. “It was a tough decision, but I felt the biggest competition would come Page

in the 3,200 and I wanted to compete against the top guys in the state,” he said. One of them happened to be Colin, who ran the race of his life. “All I could think of in the eighth lap was just push, push, push as fast as I can and just kill it,” says Colin. Obviously, it worked. “These two are the best I have ever been around,” says their coach Tom Moul. “Their work ethic and competitiveness sets them apart from anyone else. They are relentless with their training, which puts them in a position to be near the front of any race. Then, their killer instinct and competitiveness is what allows them to win, rather than merely finish near the top.”

This summer, the boys will change their training strategy from an average of 50 miles a week during the competitive track season to something different for the next 13 to 14 weeks in order to prepare for cross country in the fall. Their focus will be “base building,” meaning strength and endurance training to build muscle and respiratory efficiency. They will shift from strictly track and road running to include hills and elevation because of the varying landscapes characteristic to cross country. They also will build in time to do some swimming, body weight workouts, and core training. continued on Page 19 Spring

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Sole Mates Continued Their goal is to improve their performance at last year’s PIAA cross country championship when Ethan took fifth place and Colin finished 16th. As usual, they plan to push each other this summer to get in top shape, improve their individual standings, and help the team reach for an undefeated season. “At peak training, we will work up to as many as 70 miles a week, ranging from six miles on easier days to 15 to 16 miles on our long run for the week,” explains Colin, who also is an accomplished pianist and says his idea of success is qualifying for the NCAA championships. He calls the training good preparation for “grinders” during cross country practices with the team — a 10.2-mile run with five substantial hills that “no one looks forward to.” Also on the horizon is a muchanticipated family vacation to the Outer Banks where they’ll relax by racing go-karts and jet skiing. In between vacation and training the boys will squeeze in some college visits. They want to continue their twosome after graduating with the Fox Chapel class of 2014. Still undecided as to which school they will attend, the best friends and brothers do know they want to continue running and go to the same school because “we want to wear the same uniform for a while longer,” says Colin.

Middle School Athletics:

A Time to Learn and Experience If you are the parent of a middle school student, you know all too well that he or she is going through many rapid changes and transitions. It is a time of self-discovery when teenagers are attempting to find out who they are and what they want. The middle school years are a great time for teenagers to become involved in after-school activities and develop interests in things they may not have been exposed to before. While drama, art, or science clubs may be of interest to some students, others decide to spend their free time playing interscholastic sports. At Dorseyville Middle School, nearly 600 7th and 8th graders currently participate in athletics sponsored by the district. DMS offers students opportunities to participate in interscholastic football, soccer (boys’ and girls’), basketball (boys’ and girls’), track (boys’ and girls’), cross-country (boys’ and girls’), volleyball (boys’ and girls’), field hockey (girls’), softball, baseball, and wrestling. Many experts agree that age-appropriate sports offer young teenagers opportunities to: • Improve self-esteem and feelings of competence through positive interactions with peers and adults; • Help acquire new skills and refine those previously learned; • Improve personal health and fitness levels and develop a physically active lifestyle that may continue throughout adulthood; • Teach the values of fair play and good sportsmanship; and • Learn how to function effectively as a member of a team. Whether or not your middle school son or daughter decides to continue playing sports, at least he or she will have developed a better understanding of responsibility, discipline, respect, and what it means to sacrifice individual needs to reach a common goal — all valuable life lessons that can be applied in the classroom and beyond.

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