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January 2015
Vol. I Issue 12
ICE HOCKEY Middle school teams from Wilkes-Barre, Crestwood leave it all on ice Pages 10-11
SWIMMING & DIVING Dallas Mountaineers paddle past Hanover Hawkeyes in WVC meet Page 12-13
WRESTLING WVW can’t hold off Wyoming Seminary in dual wrestling match Page 17
MOVING TO THE BASKET Senior Spotlight: Casey Cole, Crestwood, page 3 UNICO game highlights top WVC players, pages 18-19
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Editor’s Note: New Year’s Resolutions: Baby Steps Welcome 2015! Tis the season of New Year’s resolutions – easy to create, hard to maintain. Health and fitness resolutions are among the most popular year after year. Whether it’s getting back into a gym routine or bettering a diet, millions of resolutions are made come January 1. But, not all that are created are maintained. In 2013, according to Forbes, only eight percent of people achieve their goals out of the 40 percent of Americans who created resolutions. Now, I have never been one to create a resolution. I’m not sure why, but I never really got into it. So, the only experience I have with New Year’s resolutions is from what I’ve seen with my family and friends. From my view of the New Year’s resolution game, the goals people set are too steep. Start small. Don’t try to go from zero to 100 in a month. It won’t happen. Create a goal that is
January, 2015
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tangible and specific to you. Join a gym and promise to go three times a week. Order healthier options for lunch (skip the side of fries). Create an intramural team with friends and attend every game. There are so many baby steps to take before you’re off and running full speed. I feel that the first step is creating a goal that you can reach. A goal too far out of reach can just lead to frustration. Also – these goals need to be for you. In the past, so many of my friends set goals to please others. It’s YOUR resolution, not anyone else’s. Make it something you want or else it won’t stick. Your resolution needs to be something that can fit into your already busy schedule. Get updated on what events we’re covering and So, here’s to hoping 2015 is a where you can pick up a copy of the print edition. happy, healthy, successful year for all and a year that brings us all closer to reaching our goals. And, for the first time, I’m Test your knowledge of the WVC high school boy’s basketball coaches names creating a resolution. hidden in this puzzle. In 2015, I want to run in a 5K. What is your resolution?
High School Basketball Coaches
On the cover: Sarah Kuderka, of Good Shepherd Academy, moves past a LakeLehman defender to get a shot on net. Photo by Steve Shoemaker
Editor/Publisher: Ellen Hoffman PO Box 1778 Kingston, PA 18704 wyomingvalleysportshot.com wyomingvalleysportshot@gmail.com or 570.406.3335 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.
Girls Lacrosse Informational Panel at Wyoming Seminary Wednesday, January 7, 7:00 PM at Wyoming Seminary’s Upper School’s Stettler Learning Resources Center on North Sprague Avenue, Kingston. Coaches from Div. I United States Naval Academy, Div. II Kutztown University, Div. III Ursinus College will come together for an informational recruiting college panel discussion. The discussion is free and open to the public. Email ckersey@wyomingseminary.org for more information. Wyoming Valley Sports Dome Soccer League The second soccer session of the season, which will play odd age groups, starts in mid January. Call the Dome 570-823-9873 after 4:00 PM with questions or to register a team.
Melt Hot Yoga New to yoga? $30 for 30 days of unlimited classes - valid for first time customers only. Call 570-287-3400 or email info@melthotyogastudio.com for more information.
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.
Little League Camps Team MVP Baseball/Softball Training is available for grades K-7 - eight hour players camp and one hour coaches clinic. Ranges in price from $75-$125. To learn more go to www.teammvptraining.com under MVP Services tab.
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.
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.
Better Body Bootcamp 6.0 January 5 through February 14 at Leverage Fitness Studio in Forty Fort. Class meets 6:00-6:45 AM Monday through Friday. Bonus workouts on Saturdays are available. $199 for newbies, $179 for recurring bootcampers. Call the studio to reserve a spot 570-338-2386.
Kids Yoga Saturday, January 24, 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM at Balance Yoga in Forty Fort with Dina Stewart. Creative workshops with yoga games and songs, breath meditations, relaxing visualizations and fun yoga movements for kids ages five to 10. Classes limited to 16 children. Pre-register online at www.balanceyogastudio.net.
Wyoming Valley Sport Shot
Our team: Wyoming Valley Sport Shot is locally owned and handmade in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Contributing photographers this issue include Mary Bove, Caitlin Hargrave, Frank Lauri, Steve Shoemaker.
30th Annual Informal New Year’s Day Training Run Thursday, January 1, 12 PM. Meet at Kirby Park Pavillion. For questions and concerns, reach out to wyovalstr@aol.com.
ATHERTON BEGGS BROWN CAFFREY
GRANT GUIDO KERSEY KIESINGER MILLER
MOSES MYERS REIMILLER TOOLE
Holy Redeemer HS Seeks Girls Varsity Soccer Coach Interested applicants should contact the high school at 570-829-2424 or can send their resume to the Athletic Director: jpquilina@holyredeemerhs. org or 159 South Pennsylvania Blvd, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701
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Senior Spotlight: Casey Cole By Ellen Hoffman
It didn’t take much for Crestwood senior Casey Cole to become interested in field hockey. After hearing stories of her mother’s time playing the popular sport, Cole knew she wanted to give it a shot. In third grade she attended a summer camp and joined her first team at the Wyoming Valley Sports Dome later that year. From that point on, she was hooked. She continued by joining the Crestwood School District teams and the Valley Styx club team. Now that her high school career is over, she isn’t calling it quits. Cole committed to join the Ohio State University field hockey team in the fall of 2015. “From early on I always had the desire to play on the Division 1 level,” she said. “It was a personal goal I set for myself.” After attending a field hockey camp at Ohio State she knew it was a major contender compared to the other schools she looked at. “I immediately felt a connection to the team, coaches and the campus. After several visits, I knew it was the right fit for me,” she said. Cole has already started to prepare for her step into Division 1 with higher intensity training and by participating in the USA Field Hockey Futures Program. “I work out a lot in the off season. That is when real physical gains can be made.” She is preparing in the off season with workouts and trainings, but thinks the biggest transition she will face in Ohio will be the increased speed at the Division 1 level of play. “I think adjusting to the frequency and intensity of the workouts and the increased speed of the game will be the biggest transition for me.” But, Cole has already had successful training and preparation within the Crestwood field hockey program. After winning the PIAA State Championship in 2012 and competing in the 2013 and 2014 State Championship finals, Cole knows her way around a field hockey field. “Winning the state championship in 2012 was my proudest field hockey achievement. Experiencing that with my teammates is something that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.”
Cole, a major asset to the Comets, had a number of successful moves during the 2014 season, including her late goal against Selinsgrove in the quarterfinals that helped secure Crestwood a spot in the semifinals. While Cole and the other members of the Comets team fell short of what would have been Crestwood’s sixth State Championship title, Cole knows they worked hard the entire season. They suffered a 2-1 loss to Villa Maria Academy in the 2014 finals and a 2-1 loss to Wyoming Seminary in the 2013 finals. But, looking back, she’s still proud of what they accomplished and learned along the way. “I learned that life goes on after disappointments and that you have to be able to pick yourself up and continue to work hard to keep improving,” she said. “It was heartbreaking to lose the state championship after knowing first hand how great it feels to win it. All you can do is move on and use the experience as motivation.” Cole is excited to continue her education both on and off the field as a Buckeye come the fall season. “I am hoping to learn how to manage my time to be a successful studentathlete.” She’s undecided on her major but is looking forward to her future in Ohio. Senior Spotlight is a monthly feature that will highlight the success and determination of an upcoming 2015 high school graduate from the Wyoming Valley who excelled in athletics and is taking those skills to the collegiate level. Photo by Steve Shoemaker, WVSS staff photographer.
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January, 2015
Black Knights Late Surge Not Enough to Beat GSA
Lake-Lehman Black Knights fall to Good Shepherd Academy Guardians in 24-22 loss - December 16
GSA’s Skylar Osenkarski shoots as Madison Borum blocks.
Keiona Roberts, of Lake-Lehman, looks to start a play.
Good Shepherd Academy’s Jaylyn Fulkersin goes in for a lay-up.
GSA’s Skylar Ojenkarski blocks a shot from Lake-Lehman’s Jessica Evans.
Savannah Purdy, of Lake-Lehman, gets subbed into play.
Lake-Lehman’s Carlyn Blight moves to the net.
GSA’s Sarah Kuderka looks for an open teammate.
Corinna Scoblick, of Lake-Lehman, takes a free throw.
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Carlyn Blight and Corinna Scoblick enjoy their game against GSA.
Lake-Lehman’s Carlyn Blight moves the ball past Skylar Osenkarski, of Good Shepherd Academy.
Toni Amato, of Good Shepherd Academy, passes the ball to a teammate in a game against Lake-Lehman.
Lake-Lehman’s Keiona Roberts looks to get past Good Shepherd Academy’s Sarah Kuderka. Photos by Steve Shoemaker
Good Shepherd Academy coach and players watch the game.
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January, 2015
WVW, Crestwood Move Indoors for Winter Play Teams from the Wyoming Valley Conference don’t stop once fall season ends - December 14
Crestwood’s Melissa Herrera dribbles.
WVW’s Sabrina Seitz throws in the ball.
WVW’s Audrey Williams moves past Crestwood’s Emma Janosczyk. Photos by Caitlin Hargrave
Crestwood’s Chyanne Cook fights for control.
WVW goalie Ashley Duda makes a play.
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January, 2015
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Your Shots
Stan Waleski Black Friday BBall Camp
WVW’s Julia Kobusky battles Crestwood’s Emma Janosczyk for control.
Athletes attended the Stan Waleski Black Friday Basketball Camp at the St. Joseph’s Oblates gym in Laflin. The camp stressed fundamentals, skills, competitions, team play and fun. The camp was directed by Stan Waleski and Charles LoBrutto. First row left to right:Vanessa Flaherty, Samantha Ruszin, Olivia Capitano, Lia Riley, Haley Pointek, Ella O’Brien, Carlina Lizza, Jenna Hannon, Kayleen Dolan, Catherine Zaladonis and Laura Farber. Second row left to right: Nick Franchetti, Jacob Adonizio, Carlos Concha, Aiden Hindmarsh, Ciaran Bilbow, Derek Johnson, Andrew Adonizio, Jacob Ohrin, Tommy Augustine, Ashton LePore, Brady Bilbow, Paul Rusincovitch, Jack Pearce, Gunnar Puma, Jeff Hoover, Caden Carey and Luke Kopetchny. Third row left to right Connor Carey, Augustus Schmidt, Andrew Turinski, Jeremy Cook, Gavin Caprio, Will Aldrich, Sanai Canada, Jessica Zaladonis and Matt Lewis. Photo submitted by Stan Waleski.
Pittston Area Girls Celebrate D2 Title
Crestwood goalie Julia Filczyk moves to snag a shot on goal.
Crestwood’s Chyanne Cook controls a loose ball at midfield at the Wyoming Valley Sports Dome.
Wyoming Valley West’s Megan Menzel keeps handle of the ball against Crestwood.
The Pittston Area girls soccer team made school history winning their first PIAA District II AAA Soccer Championship in October. The Patriots defeated Williamsport 2-0 to claim the title. Pictured at top is the team celebrating their championship with coaches Nicole Tieso, Jade Cotter and Sarah Donahue. Pictured above are Pittston Area captains Allison Barber and Liz Waleski holding the Championship Plaque.
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January, 2015
Jr. High Mountaineers Bounce Past Warriors for Win
Dallas, Wyoming Area compete in regular season game ending in 58-21 Dallas victory - December 15
WA’s Quadre Sessoms plays offense against Dallas.
Dylan Schuster, of Dallas, looks to pass.
Sam Nocito, of Dallas, moves around the Wyoming Area defense for a shot on net.
Freddie Lombardo, of Dallas, plays against Wyoming Area’s Tauhid Shahid.
Wyoming Area’s Nick Belles moves forward.
Matt Dolan, of Dallas, completes a lay up.
Luke DelGaudio, of Dallas, keeps possession of the ball.
WA’s Dominic DeLuca takes a shot.
FJ Braccini, of Wyoming Area, dribbles.
Jack Farrell, of Dallas, moves into the WA zone.
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Dallas Moves Around Wyoming Area for Home Win The Mountaineers 8th grade team battled past Wyoming Area in a 39-15 win - December 15
Wyoming Area’s Mike Amato moves past the Dallas defense.
EJ Williams, of Dallas, moves the ball down the court in a game against Wyoming Area.
Kristopher Smiga, of Dallas, looks for an open teammate during a home game against WA.
Jack Ziemba, of Dallas, looks to make a play against the Wyoming Area defense.
Justin Finarelli, 25, puts up a shot.
Kristopher Smiga jumps to block Tierre Rhodes.
Jake Butwin, of Wyoming Area, jumps to make the shot against Dallas. Photos by Steve Shoemaker
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January, 2015
Winter Season Calls for New Hockey Match Ups Middle school teams from Crestwood, Wilkes-Barre compete at Toyota SportsPlex - December 14
Crestwood’s Ryan Harding fires a shot against Harrison Peairs, of Wilkes-Barre.
Crestwood’s John Van Fossen looks to take a shot on net against Wilkes-Barre.
Tyler Rozanski, of Wilkes-Barre, receives a pass in a game Jared Weisenberger, of Crestwood, warms up with against Crestwood. his teammates before the start of the game.
Crestwood’s Chase Govan moves toward the Wilkes-Barre goal.
Crestwood’s Tyler Shedlock moves the puck past Wilkes-Barre’s Jeffery Hooper. Photos by Steve Shoemaker
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Crestwood’s Yamina Sid Mohand battles Thomas Lee, of Wilkes-Barre. Braden Neeson, of Wilkes-Barre, waits for the puck to drop.
Wilkes-Barre’s DJ Rosenkrans controls the puck.
DJ Noss, of Crestwood, clears the puck from the defensive zone.
Kameron Williams, of Wilkes-Barre moves the puck toward goal.
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January, 2015
Dallas Splashes Past Hanover Area in Away Win
The Mountaineers defeated the Hawkeyes in a Wyoming Valley Conference meet - December 12
Jared Krawetz, Ezra Moore, Dylan Lisnow and Mikail Krochta, of Dallas, get together for a picture.
Nick Malkemes, of Dallas, competes in the diving portion of the meet at Hanover Area.
Alicia Saltz, Hanover Area, swims the 200 Medley Relay during a home meet against Dallas.
Gianna Leo, of Dallas, performs an inward dive at Hanover Area High School.
Nick Malkemes, of Dallas, completes a dive in the pike position against Hanover Area.
Annaliese Cheshire, of Dallas, swims in the 200 IM in a meet against Hanover Area.
Swimmers from Hanover Area and Dallas swim a warm up period.
January, 2015
Maddy Ross, of Dallas, competes against Hanover Area.
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Keith Gillette, of Dallas, performs a twist dive at Hanover Area.
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William Kauffman, of Hanover Area gets set to start.
Hanover Area’s Gabby Keating, Alicia Saltz, Melina Good, Hannah Eck and Shannon Keating get together for a picture during the diving competition.
Danny Schnable, of Dallas, swims in the 200 IM at Hanover Area High School. Photos by Frank Lauri
Keith Gillette, of Dallas, finishes his approach on the board at Hanover Area High School.
Gianna Leo, of Dallas, performs a backwards dive against Hanover Area.
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January, 2015
U10 Girls Teams Compete at Wyoming Valley Sports Dome
Mountain Top Avalanche beats Zummo’s Cafe in mid season winter league game - December 12
Gabby Ambosie, of Mountain Top Avalance, sets up a shot on goal.
Avalanche player Gabby Vencak moves to goal.
Karley Lockard throws the ball in to Zummo’s Cafe teammate Kassidy Motley.
Grace Pasternick grins as she watches a teammate score against Zummo’s Cafe.
Sophia Gordo, of Zummo’s Cafe, talks with her goalie before the second half begins.
Julianna Sobocinski, of Zummo’s Cafe, keeps the ball away from the Avalanche.
Zummo’s Cafe’s Ireland Walsh and Avalanche’s Julia Glowacki battle for the ball. Photos by Ellen Hoffman
January, 2015
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Wyoming Seminary Battles WVW in Blue Knight Duals Two local teams compete in first wrestling meet of the season - December 6
Wyoming Seminary’s Dan Boychuck starts to turn Wyoming Valley West’s Matt Mackiewicz.
WVW’s Cody Cordes tries to break the wrist lock of Wyoming Seminary’s Nick Reenan.
Wyoming Seminary’s Jack Davis attempts a take down on Wyoming Valley West’s Wayne Smith.
Wyoming Seminary’s John Busiello pins WVW’s Travis Clark during the Friends of Sem Duals. Far left, Jack Mueller, Wyoming Seminary, tries to turn WVW’s James Wright during the Friends of Sem Duals at Carpenter Athletic Center. Left, Wyoming Seminary’s Ryan Guers grimaces as Wyoming Valley West’s Jonathan Lagoski works his way to a pin during the Friends of Sem Duals. Photos by Frank Lauri
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January, 2015
Coughlin, Pittston Teams Face Off in Dome Field Hockey Winter weather doesn’t stop local teams from keeping up with the game - December 8
Coughlin players keep the ball in their possession with strong Pittston defense.
A Coughlin player moves past a Pittston defender.
A Pittston player looks for an open teammate.
Players fight for possession of the ball at the Wyoming Valley Sports Dome.
A Coughlin player picks up a loose ball as Pittston players move to attack.
A Pittston player looks to keep the ball away from the Coughlin defender. Photos by Mary Bove
A Pittston player moves the ball away from their defensive zone.
January, 2015
A Pittston player scoops up a loose ball at midfield.
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Coughlin and Pittston players fight for the ball.
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A Pittston player tries to keep hold of the ball.
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January, 2015
Green Team Secures 31-9 UNICO Game Victory
Top WVC players compete in annual UNICO game at Lake-Lehman High School - November 28
Red Team’s Ya’Sir Jones, Hanover, runs the ball during the UNICO game.
Green Team kicker Mike Symeon, Lake-Lehman, delivers the opening kickoff.
Green Team’s Pat Villani, Holy Redeemer, celebrates a touchdown with teammates Kory Callum, Tunkhannock, and Kevin Woodeshick, Berwick.
Red Team’s Kyle Gattuso, Pittston, runs the ball.
2014 Miss UNICO and her court are announced before the start of the 64th Annual UNICO Game.
Green Team Cheerleaders pose for a photo.
Green Team’s Josh Sayre, Lake-Lehman, dives in for the touchdown at Edward Edwards Stadium.
Green Team’s Tyler Hanna, Nanticoke, is congratulated by teammates Brian Beuchemin, left, and Brett Stage, left, both of Tunkhannock.
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Members of the Green Team gather around Pat Villani, Holy Redeemer, who holds his MVP Trophy.
Green Team quarterback Chad Fahey, Holy Redeemer, gets a pass under the pressure from Red Team’s Frank Wojtash, Coughlin.
Red Team’s Jeff Skursky, Wyoming Area, scores a touchdown between two Green Team defenders, Pat Villani and Justin Renfer, both of Holy Redeemer.
Red Team’s JerMichael Bunch, WVW, takes the opening kickoff.
Coaches and players shake hands after the 64th Annual UNICO Game. Photos by Frank Lauri
Red Team’s quarterback Brady Davison, WVW, takes a snap during the 64th Annual UNICO Game.
Holy Redeemer’s Gabriella Soroka crowned Miss UNICO 2014.
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January 2015