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May, 2014
Vol. I Issue 4
COLOR RUN 5K Misericordia University hosts first Cougars in Color 5K Pages 4-5
VARSITY SOFTBALL The Spartans capture a road win against GNA Trojans in WVC play Pages 8-9
FRESHMAN BASEBALL Hanover Area secures a home victory against GAR Pages 18-19
MOVING TO THE PLAY Senior Spotlight: Austin Harry, Lake-Lehman, page 3 Anthracite Curling Club opens the season, pages14-15
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Wyoming Area FH Hosts Bingo Editor’s Note: Get Away from the Sidelines Everyone who knows me is fully aware that I hate running. Sure I played soccer for half my life and visit the gym a few times a week, but running is the last thing I would choose to do for physical activity. So, while all of my peers at Misericordia University signed up for the Cougars in Color 5K, I continued to wonder if I would ever make it through a 5K without collapsing halfway through the course and if I would ever get the courage to sign up to do something I despise. I ended up going to the Cougars in Color 5K but I didn’t run the hilly course. I didn’t walk through Misericordia’s campus in Dallas, Pa. Instead, I had the opportunity to throw the color powder at the participants. It was probably one of the best choices I have made in a while because I had so much fun. I cheered on the runners (and walkers) and blasted them with a green or purple color cloud each time they passed by my station. The moral of my story is that there are many different ways to
get involved. My hate for running didn’t keep me secluded and trapped indoors while others were out experiencing color and life. It allowed me to participate in a way not many others could. Don’t sit on the sidelines just because there is something you don’t like doing. Get in the game. - Ellen Hoffman Photo by Mary Bove
On the cover: Daniella Callaghan of Crestwood looks to snatch a loose ball in a girls lacrosse game against Wyoming Seminary. Photo by Steve Shoemaker
Spencer Martin Memorial Bike Ride for Habitat Sunday, May 4, 33 mile bike ride winding through the Back Mountain to help eliminate poverty housing. Begins at Penn State Wilkes-Barre campus at 8 a.m. Registration starts at 7 a.m. $35 registration fee. 40th Annual Cherry Blossom 5 Mile Footrace Sunday, May 4, 10:00 a.m. Start and finish of the run is in the meadow area in Kirby Park. Registration 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. $15 registration fee.
The Wyoming Area field hockey team hosted its second annual bingo fundraiser Saturday, April 12 in the high school cafeteria. The event included bingo games and basket raffles from local businesses. Event coordinators said the day’s profit goes toward everything the girls need for the field hockey season: apparel, food, senior gifts, camps and the end of the season banquet. Pictured above, Laura Heinzlmeir, Ally Bresmanaham and Samantha Holcomb.
PIAA District 2 LAX
Lacrosse is becoming more prominent in the Wyoming Valley. Find the schools hidden in this puzzle that offer boys or girls lacrosse.
Wyoming Valley Sport Shot Editor/Publisher: Ellen Hoffman PO Box 1778 Kingston, PA 18704 wyomingvalleysportshot.com wyomingvalleysportshot@gmail.com or 570.406.3335
Glenn Summit Spring Water Harvey’s Lake Run The Lake Run begins at 9:30 a.m. and the 5K at 9:40 a.m. Register on-site Saturday, May 17 at 7:30 a.m. or register in advance by downloading the form or signing up at www.wilkesbarreracing.com/HarveysLakeRun. Parking is available at Grotto Pizza. River Street 3 Mile Run & Walk Organized by the Wyoming Valley Jewish Community Center and sponsored by Valley Cycle & Max Bartikowsky. Sunday, May 18 walk and run begings at 10:30 a.m. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. at the JCC in Wilkes-Barre with a fee of $20. SPCA 5th Annual Golf Tournament May 23 – 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Sand Springs Country Club in Drums. $100 a golfer and $40 for dinner. Register online at spcaluzernecounty.org. Registration ends May 16. Contact Dionne at 570.825.4111 extension 4. Whitewater Cup Classic Soccer Tournaments 2014 May 24-25, August 30-31, October 11-12. Games are held at fields throughout Luzerne County. Contact Ken Powley, Whitewater Club Classic, PO Box 75 Mountain Top, PA 18707.
Our mission: Photographs that capture the spirit of high school and recreational athletes in the Wyoming Valley. Check out all the photographs at wyomingvalleysportshot.com. The schedule: The print edition of Wyoming Valley Sport Shot is published on the first Saturday of each month. Free copies are distributed at 100 locations in the Wyoming Valley. Wyomingvalleysportshot.com is updated throughout the month as well as Wyoming Valley Sport Shot on Facebook.
Forty Fort Lions Old Fort 5 Miler Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, 9:00 a.m. Start and finish at Forty Fort Borough Park on Wyoming Ave. Pre-register by May 21 for $15 registration fee. $20 fee day of race.
Your stuff: Bring it on. We welcome your photos, news and ideas submitted for publication. Send submissions of photos and information to wyomingvalleysportshot@gmail.com. Submitted copy and printed photographs delivered to Wyoming Valley Sport Shot will not be returned. Photos reproduce best if saved in .jpg format at 300 dpi and submitted by email. Game time: Advertising deadline: 10 days prior to publication. Content submission deadline: Seven days prior to publication. Our team: Wyoming Valley Sport Shot is locally owned and handmade in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Contributing photographers this issue include Mary Bove, Steve Shoemaker. Josh Horton served as contributing staff in this issue. And...Any opinions expressed by writers and contributors are not necessarily those of this publication. We reserve the right to edit all content for clarity, relevance and length and the right to reject submissions. Submitted copy must include a contact name and phone number.
May, 2014
COUGHLIN CRESTWOOD DALLAS LAKE LEHMAN
PITTSTON TUNKHANNOCK WYOMING SEM
Intro 2 Hockey Revolution Ice Center in Pittston offers a hockey clinic for children ages 4-12. Register for the second summer session, August 4-8, by June 1 for only $150 per player. Session runs four days from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Players are paired with their peers so that competition and playtime is fair. Visit www.revolutionicecentre.com for more information.
May, 2014
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Senior Spotlight: Austin Harry By Ellen Hoffman
High school students hear their alarm clock ring and have difficulty getting out of bed before school starts at 7:30 a.m. Imagine having to squeeze in a morning work out before school starts. Austin Harry knows that feeling all too well. The Lake-Lehman senior devoted many hours of work and dedication to make it to where he ended his final high school wrestling season: at the top. Harry, a four-time district champ and fourtime state qualifier, finished his career third in the state. But, Harry said that wouldn’t have been possible without the hundreds of hours of extra effort over the years. “Those mornings when your alarm clock goes off at 5 a.m., you’re tired, you’re sore, you don’t want to be in the weight room before the sun comes up, but you gotta keep thinking about what you’re working for and keep striving for your goals. Keep working hard knowing good things will happen.” Harry’s list of wrestling accomplishments doesn’t start with his senior year. He was a two-time All-American, a three-time regional champion, as well as a member of the 100wins club, finishing his high school career with 157 wins. While finishing third in his senior year will probably be his most memorable wrestling event, he said there is another win that was more exciting: regional finals during his junior year. “I was down by one with seconds to go and I won it at the buzzer 7-6,” he said. “That match will be one of the most exciting events ever.” Harry followed in the footsteps of his father and brother by choosing wrestling as his sport. He saw what they were capable of doing and how some of his friends were having fun with it so he thought, “why not?” So, since second grade he has been pushing himself to work as hard as he could. “It’s that internal drive,” Harry said of the hardest part of the sport. “Waking up every day and continuing to work hard and never giving up.” Harry plans to take the skills he’s learned through wrestling to West Point to continue his athletic and academic careers. This, like wrestling, was not something he dreamt of or knew he wanted until he was asked. Just like his father and brother asked if he wanted to try out wrestling, West Point, through a mailed postcard, offered him a
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chance to visit the Academy. “I received an information letter in the mail and took a visit to check it out,” he said. “And I fell in love with it.” Harry plans to stay in the military academy as a career but is open to the other options he receives once he is settled in in the fall. Harry said, thankfully, through his high school wrestling career, he was able to experience a little of what a DI wrestling coach would offer. His high school coach, Tom Williams, coached DI teams, which Harry said was a great benefit. “I got a little taste of it [DI coaching], which was great.” Although he’s had a taste, Harry knows the collegiate level will be a step up from his high school performances. “The collegiate level will be a lot tougher, a whole new level of wrestling,” he said. “I’ve learned a lot over the past four years.” Two parts of wrestling Harry said are always going to be tough are learning and maintaining the mental aspect and putting up with the physical demands of the sport., But, the Lake-Lehman senior said he’s up for the challenge and looks forward to what his athletic and academic careers at West Point bring him. Senior Spotlight is a monthly feature that will highlight the success and determination of a high school senior who excelled in high school athletics and is taking those skills to the collegiate level. Photo submitted by Harry.
Get updated on what events we’re covering and where you can pick up a copy of the print edition.
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May, 2014
Back Mountain Brightens Up With Cougars in Color Misericordia University’s SGA hosts a color run to benefit cancer research – April 26
Runners take off at the starting line of the first Cougars in Color race at Misericordia University in Dallas, Pa.
Hilary Hoover gets a full blast of color powder on the Dallas campus.
Becky Ciancitto and Haley Hall flash a thumbs up to the camera as they begin the second lap of the 5K. Photos by Mary Bove
Stephen Wasilewski tries to avoid a color thrower as he makes his way through the second lap of the course.
Thomas Scott embraces a color station on Misericordia University’s campus.
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Rachel Bossler, right, throws red powder at runners as they make their way through the course.
Lauren Malick gets shot of color to her back as she runs through Misericordia University’s campus during the 5K.
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Color throwers hit Theresa Klaus and Kelsey Hart with green and purple powder.
Randy Stark crosses the finish line of the Cougars in Color 5K to benefit the Lucy Fund.
Erin Gracey prepares for a blast of color as she makes her way through lap number two.
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May, 2014
Tigers Take Doubles Matches Over Royals Tunkhannock earns away victory over Holy Redeemer with 4-1 win – April 21
Russell Kuttish runs toward the play on the Royal’s home courts.
Tunkhannock’s Colin Franko jumps to reach a high ball at an away match.
Tunkhannock’s Tony Shao competed in a singles match against Holy Redeemer.
Micheal Pegarella forces the ball back to his Tunkhannock opponent.
Holy Redeemer’s Josh Wychock competes in singles play.
Daniel Greenip of Tunkhannock connects with the ball during a singles match.
May, 2014
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Your Shots
Tigers Finish as Tri-Champions
The Tunkhannock High School wrestling team finished their season 11-14, tri-champions with Meyers and Lake-Lehman in the Wyoming Valley Conference division II. Above left, Ben Siegel wins a match. Above right, Tom Bachman sizes up an opponent. Photos submitted by Cory Ray.
Top, Alex Greenip of Tunkhannock prepares to send the ball back over the net against Holy Redeemer. Above, Holy Redeemer’s Chris Pawlenock looks to make contact with the ball. Photos by Steve Shoemaker
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May, 2014
Spartans Secure Away Win Against Trojans
Wyoming Valley West trumps Greater Nanticoke Area in 11-3 softball victory - April 17
Leandra Ramos delivers the pitch on her home mound in Nanticoke.
Audi Welles of WVW rounds the bases after teammate Colleen Cwalina’s homerun.
WVW’s Melinda Holena beats the throw as Nanticoke’s Alexis Seery receives the ball.
Nanticoke’s Maddy O’Donahue waits for the pitch against the Spartan’s offense.
Spartan’s Megan Kane looks toward the play before throwing the ball at an away game against Nanticoke.
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Melinda Holena slides into home as Nanticoke’s Maddy O’Donahue blocks the plate.
Kelsey Rinehamer, of Nanticoke, connects with the ball during their home game.
Top, Danielle Grega (3) catches the final out of the game in the Spartans win over the Trojans. Above, Wyoming Valley West’s Megan Kane moves to third base. Chloe Ruckle winds up for a pitch against the Trojan’s in the Spartan’s victory.
Photos by Steve Shoemaker
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May, 2014
Wyoming Sem Triumphs in 17-6 Win Over Crestwood Blue Knights nab home win against Comets in WVC play - April 16
Top, Crestwood’s Lizzy Dessoye (19) battles Wyoming Seminary’s Kate Romanowski (24). Above, Crestwood’s Jasmine Muckle (11) defends Wyoming Seminary’s Atalia Dressler (16) on Seminary’s Kingston field.
Top, Kelley Gavin of Wyoming Seminary watches the play from the goal line. Above, Molly Turner (9) of Wyoming Seminary takes a shot on goal against Crestwood. Photos by Steve Shoemaker
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Wyoming Seminary’s Atalia Dressler (16) and Crestwood’s Lizzy Dessoye (19) battle for a loose ball.
Rachel Havrylkoff looks to snag the ball and move down the field in a home game against Crestwood.
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Karherine Paglia looks to pass to an open teammate.
Top, Crestwood’s Jill Prezkop scoops up a ground ball. Above, Daniella Callaghan of Crestwood moves past Wyoming Seminary’s Emily Gabriel (8).
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May, 2014
Hooping Class Popular at NEPA Sports and Fitness Expo Lotus Pug Yoga Studio in Wilkes-Barre instructs hula hooping yoga class at NEPA Expo - April 12
Top, Koa Meyer keeps her eye on the instructor during the hooping class offered by Lotus Pug Yoga Studio. Above, Carmie Robbins swings the hoop from behind her back to start the hooping action. Photos by Ellen Hoffman
Top, Ryleigh McDonnell applauds the instructor from Lotus Pug Yoga. Above, Sabrina Bazadona moves the hoop along the outside of her hand, advancing her hooping skills.
Top, Miranda Russell enjoys the music during a hooping class. Above, Carly Yamrus enjoys learning the basics of hooping with her sister Lyndsie (not pictured).
May, 2014
Instructor Danielle Drevenak shows the class how to move the hoop around places other than the waist.
Sarah Smith watches as instructor Danielle Drevenak gives participants tips on how to hold the hula hoop above the waist.
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Amanda Karasinski focuses on keeping the hoop placed around her hips during the NEPA Sports and Fitness Expo.
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Laura Shedlock moves her arms and hips to keep the hula hoop from falling to the ground.
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May, 2014
Anthracite Curling Club Hosts Opening Day Fifth season of curling club begins at Toyota Sportsplex in Wilkes-Barre - April 8
Top, a member of the Anthracite Curling Club releases the stone in their opening practice. Above, Teroy Nestler and Lara Garner practice their curling skills as part of the Anthracite Curling Club.
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kingston@minutemanpress.com Top, Matthew Lyons sweeps the stone during the Anthracite Curling Club practice.
May, 2014
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Anthracite Curling Club members practice on their opening day.
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One of the youngest members of the Anthracite Curling Club begins practice at the Toyota Sportsplex.
Anthracite Curling Club members sweep the stone in the Toyota Sportsplex.
Left, a member of the Anthracite Curling Club watches the stone glide toward his teammates. Above, Teroy Nestler and Lara Garner serve as the third and vice skip, respectively, of the Club. Photos by Mary Bove
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May, 2014
Locals Perform at Odyssey’s HS Football Combine The Odyssey Fitness Center hosted the first annual NEPA football combine - April 12
Coughlin’s Zachary King focuses on the finish of the sprinting section of the Combine.
Right, Coughlin’s Frank Wojtash gets ready to sprint through the course at the Odyssey’s NEPA High School Football Combine.
Middle, trainer Jermaine Bellamy supports Tom Mitchell, a Coughlin football player, during a lifting portion of the training event.
Far right, Meyer’s Zahir Dunell sprints through a course in the Odyssey Fitness Center in WilkesBarre.
Photos by Mary Bove
Coughlin’s Frank Wojtash shows off his vertical leap at the Odyssey Fitness Center.
May, 2014
Jason Evans of Coughlin High School completes a vertical jump.
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Valley View’s Zach Barrett reaches the finish line of the sprints
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Coughlin’s Jacob Soller performs in the vertical leap portion of the day-long Combine at the Odyssey Fitness Center.
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May, 2014
Hanover Swings to 8-2 Victory Against GAR Freshman baseball begins in the Wyoming Valley Conference - April 2
GAR’s Mike Drozda, left, slides safely into 3rd base against Hanover Area during a freshman baseball game.
Hanover Area’s Matt Clarke steps into his hit on his home field against GAR.
GAR’s Gerson Peralta gets ready for his at bat against Hanover Area during the freshmen baseball game.
Top, GAR’s Simon Peter aims for a hit during the freshman team’s game against Hanover Area. Above, Kyle Kowalski of Hanover Area, releases the ball toward home plate.
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Clockwise from top left, TJ Lavelle of GAR focuses on the incoming pitch from Hanover Area. Hanover Area closer John Paul Yost sends a ball toward home plate. Lloyd Deno of Hanover Area, prepares for a pitch against GAR during one of the first freshmen baseball games of the season. Chris Kolativa of GAR steps into the pitch against Hanover Area. Photos by Steve Shoemaker
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May, 2014