Section should be super yet again

By SAM TALLARICO Eagle Staff Writer

August 29, 2008 Last Updated: August 29, 2008 12:09 PM High School

North Allegheny, Seneca Valley and North Hills placed 1-2-3 at the WPIAL Class AAA Championships last year.

The Tigers were runners-up in the state championship meet, followed by North Hills and Seneca Valley.

A good showing, to be sure, but even more remarkable is the trio of teams came out of the same section.

And it doesn't look like they'll drop off too much this season.

"There wasn't a better section in the state," said Raiders coach Jim Nagle.

"There are eight sections or so in the WPIAL, and when you talk about the top three or four at states and Baldwin was the only team not in our section to make the state meet," said Butler coach Rick Davanzati.

"We were eighth overall at the WPIAL, but fourth in our section. Hampton is not far back and they had three guys go to the state meet,"Davanzati added.

The Raiders lost a key cog in Chris Cipro, but return the rest of the team intact. In 2006, the Raiders were also WPIAL runners-up to NA and were eighth at the state meet.

"The top three teams all return most of their team," said Knoch coach Wess Brahler, also a member of the section.

"That's a great thing because we know what to expect," he added.

Butler lost Wayne Dailey, Logan Elias, J.T. Fleming and Eric Rensel, but have Ben Porter back to try to keep the Tornado competitive.

Likewise, Knoch will have seniors Brian Tackett and Owen Venesky to help do the same.

The following are previews for the upcoming season:

Coach: Rick Davanzati, fourth year2007 record: 4-4 overall; eighth at WPIAL Class AAA finalsReturning letterwinners: Seniors Matt Crawford and Ben Porter; juniors Grant Baron and Lance Dugger; sophomore Tom RumbaughCoach's comment: "We have a lot of holes to fill with the graduation of last year's seniors. ... We have our No. 1 (Porter) and No. 6 and 7 coming back."

Coach: Jim Nagle, fourth year2007 record: 7-2 overall; second in the WPIAL Class AAA finals; fourth at PIAA ChampionshipsReturning letterwinners: Seniors Cam Stauffer, Eric Geddis and Matt Marchese; junior Andrew Razanauskas; sophomore Alex MascioCoach's comment: "If they're healthy, I think the boys team will be very, very good. I think we could be in the top 10 in the state."

Coach: Wess Brahler, eighth year2007 record: 3-4 overallReturning letterwinners: Seniors Brian Tackett and Owen Venesky; juniors Paul Kletzli, Chris Cetnar and Dillon Schwertz; sophomore K.J. McCreaCoach's comment: "We return a very experienced team, a team that enters the season in great condition. We have high expectations and goals, and we want to be one of the top teams in the WPIAL. ..."

Coach: Joe Cioc, first year2007 record: 13-2 overall, 8-0 in the section for first place; second in the WPIAL Class AA finalsReturning letterwinners: Seniors Nick Edinger; Jake Montag, Chris Alikhani and Kyle Cimperman; sophomore Chris HardtCoach's comment: "We don't know much about our section since we've moved up to Triple A. With the team being small (10 runners), and the top five score, it could be tough."

Coach: Bob Livrone, 11th year2007 record: 6-3 overallReturning letterwinners: Seniors Tony Giori, Matt Maxwell and Corey Tague; junior Sergei Dines; sophomores Eric Snyder and Steve PosneyCoach's comment: "Our No. 2 and 3 runners didn't come out and that'll affect what goes on. We have a sophomore, Kevin Keppel, who will help. ... We should still have a pretty good team and compete in the section and the WPIAL meet."

Coach: Tony Consbruck, fifth year2007 record: 6-0 in Region 2 for first place; first at Region 2 InvitationalTop returning runners: Senior Owen Bowser; junior Jacob Spurk and Jackson UdyCoach's comment: "It would be a successful season if every runner maximizes their potential at their particular stage of development."

Coach: Mike Sample2007 record: 4-2 in Region 2Returning letterwinners: Seniors Tom Bollinger and Ryan Sestak; juniors Jon Stewart, Ethan Smith and Devin Gilmore; sophomore Jacob KildooCoach's comment: "We're looking for a strong season. However, we're in Class AAA and have to go against (Erie) McDowell and (Erie) Cathedral Prep. ... Those are two well-coached teams but we'll be in the thick of it."

Coach: Don Loughry, 31st year2007 record: 9-2 overall, 8-1 in the Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference for second placeReturning letterwinners: Senior Aaron McGarvey; junior Bryce Foreback; sophomores Ethan McGarvey and Dalton ParkerCoach's comment: "We have 12 guys on the squad, which is a little larger than we usually have. We have five guys vying for the fourth and fifth spots."

Coach: Sue Scialabba, second year2007 record: 7-2 in the KSACReturning letterwinners: Seniors Andrew Edmonds, Lucas Rodgers and Dylan Kristufek; juniors Tony Miller, Phil Kristufek and Cody ThompsonCoach's comment: Obviously, we lost Eric Hillard (to graduation). He was our top pointgetter and that's a big loss. The guys will be strong this year and we're looking for good things."

Coach: Tisha Boltz, first year2007 record: N/ARunners: Seniors Cameron Adams and Cory Best; sophomores Chris Dietz and David GrahamCoach's comment: "They majority of the team is in seventh grade and the goal is to keep them motivated and be a part of the team."

Coach: Luke LaVan, fifth year2007 record: N/ARunners: Juniors Evan Bernard, Zach Gates and Tyler Drake; sophomore Jordan Miller and freshman Nate BestCoach's comment: "I've already seen a change in attitude with the team. ... I'm really impressed this year with practice and a positive attitude and work ethic I'm getting. It's promising."

Coach: Rick Davanzati, fourth year2007 record: 3-5 overallReturning letterwinners: Senior Ashley King; juniors Rachel Ferguson and Emily Petrak; sophomores Ashton Dolan, Trisha Brandt, Ashley Crawford, Gretchen Geibel and Jessica LytleCoach's comment: "We were very young last year, and I think the girls have a lot of potential. How their training goes throughout the season will depend on how they do."

Coach: Jim Nagle, fourth year2007 record: 5-4 overallReturning letterwinners: Seniors Megan Powell, Joelle Scarnati, Anna Homitsky and Ashley Argyros; juniors Erin Lopresti and Lauren McKinney; sophomores Megan Peaco and Bri SucaraskyCoach's comment: "Our section is so hard, if we run somewhere else, it would be different.

Coach: Wess Brahler, eighth year2007 record: 3-4 overallReturning letterwinners: Senior Alyssa Kunkel; sophomores Jolene Kunkel and Shannon EvanchekCoach's comment: "These three ladies will have an outstanding season. They had great training this summer and they have high hopes and expectations. ... We can be a top 20 team."

Coach: Joe Cioc, first year2007 record: 11-4 overall, 7-1 in the section for second placeReturning letterwinners: Seniors Brynn Workman, Nicole Hardt and Amanda Hardt; juniors Sam Brandon and Gabrielle PierreCoach's comment: "Not only do I expect them to be better, but we have some newcomers, like junior Paulina Hanczewski and sophomore Carly Clark, to be a big part of the team."

Coach: Bob Livrone, 11th year2007 record: 2-7 overallReturning letterwinners: Senior Ashley Prenazza; sophomores Cheyenne Conrad and Lauren ScreenCoach's comment: "We have a pretty small group (11 runners) but we have three freshmen that could make an impact (Carol Amadee, Julia D'Amico and Jessica Fix)."

Coach: Tony Consbruck, fifth season2007 record: 4-2 in Region 2 for third place; fourth at Region 2 InvitationalTop returning runners: Senior Nicole Fuchs; sophomores Alexis Reeher, Kayla Brendlinger and Susan TimkoCoach's comment: "What will matter is how well we develop. By the end of the year, we could be a pretty good team."

Coach: Mike Sample2007 record: 5-1 in Region 2, fourth place in the District 10 Class AAA finalsReturning letterwinners: Seniors Megan DeGraaf, Chelsie Hensel, Meghan Boarts and Nicole Wizorek; juniors Becky Consbruck and Rebecca McClure; sophomores Jonna Schaper and Sara ChuzieCoach's comment: "We're pretty excited. ... Anything less that a district championship will be a bit of a disappointment, but that's what we'll shoot for."

Coach: Don Loughry, 31st year2007 record: Didn't field a full teamReturning letterwinners: Junior Sarah YoungCoach's comment: "Our numbers are up to four, so, obviously, we're looking for them to improve as the season goes on."

Coach: Sue Scialabba, second year2007 record: N/AReturning letterwinners: Juniors Mimi Haney and Hillary MarshallCoach's comment: "We have five runners this year, so we have a young rest of the team. They have a good attitude and they hope to get better with each meet. That's our main goal."

Coach: Tisha Boltz, first year2007 record: Didn't field a full teamRunners: Runners: Senior Abby Hawk; sophomores Vanessa Barto, Fontaine McCanna and Samantha BargerCoach's comment: "On varsity, we have a total of 18 runners (boys and girls). Our program has fallen off the past few years and we're trying to build it back up."

Coach: Luke LaVan, fifth year2007 record: N/ARunners: Juniors Caroline Blauser, Nikki Marshall and Katie Quaill; sophomore Emily Milford; freshman Jeanette PalmerCoach's comment: "This year, there's been a real positive attitude. The kids are very determined."