The ultra-competitive and unforgiving world of college football can stop even the most promising high school athletes right in their tracks.
But for Sedrick Vessah, a former standout for the Chambersburg Trojans, competing in the collegiate arena has helped him shine brighter than ever. Vessah, a sophomore defensive lineman for California (Pa.), tore up his competition on the Pennsylania State Athletic Conference battlefield this fall, registering 8.5 sacks on his way to Second Team All-PSAC West honors.
Vessah hasn’t been the only former Trojan honing his craft on the college scene, not by a long shot. We’ve counted at least 87 Chambersburg athletes competing at the collegiate level, including stars in just about every sport. Need an example(s)?
Two ex-Trojan soccer players, Cristian Lopez-Contreras and Michael Cespedes, finished 1-2 in scoring for Harford this fall, while Kate Etter was the top producer for Gwynedd Mercy’s women’s volleyball team. Ashton Romberger is off to a 7-2 start in his college wrestling career, while Brant Byers and J.J. Kelly are lighting it up on the basketball court. We haven’t even mentioned cross country and swimming, two sports with too many Chambersburg standouts to single out just one or two athletes.
In College Corner this month, we’ll take a closer look at these athletes and several more with Chambersburg connections. In the months to come, we will shift focus to Waynesboro and Greencastle-Antrim, before circling back to Chambersburg.
Are we missing anybody? Additions for College Corner can be sent to Andy Sandrik via email at [email protected].
Football
Sedrick Vessah, Sophomore, California (Pa.)
Vessah had a brilliant season for California, with the 6-foot-4, 230-pound defensive lineman earning Second Team All-PSAC West honors.
Vessah competed in all 13 games for the Vulcans and totaled 52 tackles, including 13 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks, to go along with two pass breakups, 12 QB hurries, one fumble recovery, one forced fumble, and four blocked kicks.
The Vulcans (9-4, 3-3 PSAC) saw their season come to an end with a 23-21 loss to Frostburg State in the second round of the NCAA Division II Tournament. In that game, Vessah erupted for six tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble, and one QB hurry.
Grant Hopple, Junior, California (Pa.)
Hopple saw action in five games for California this season.
A 6-foot-1, 225-pound linebacker, Hopple totaled 26 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss, and one pass breakup. He most recently took the field on Oct. 18, posting two tackles in a 31-28 win over Clarion.
Sheadan Makosy, Junior, Lebanon Valley
Makosy appeared in all 11 games for Lebanon Valley and had a productive season.
A 6-foot, 250-pound defensive end, Makosy recorded 27 tackles, including 6.5 tackles for loss and five sacks, to go along with three pass breakups and one forced fumble. He most recently recorded a sack on Nov. 15 in a 38-35 win over Albright.
The Dutchmen finish their season at 6-5 (6-3 MAC).
Terrell Williams, R-Senior, Indiana (Pa.)
Williams made an impact for Indiana as a member of the defensive line rotation this season.
The 6-foot-1, 292-pound Williams played in 10 games for the Crimson Hawks and totaled 25 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss and a half sack, to go along with one pass breakup, one QB hurry, and one fumble recovery. Williams had a solid day on the field on Nov. 8, when he recorded four tackles and half of a sack in a 45-42 win over Clarion.
Indiana’s season came to an end at 7-4 (5-1 PSAC) after the team fell 23-20 to Assumption in the opening round of the NCAA Division II Tournament.
Stanley Lozius, Freshman, Indiana (Pa.)
Lozius, a 5-foot-10, 204-pound linebacker, was inactive for Indiana this season.
Jermere Jones, Sophomore, Seton Hill
Jones, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound tight end, saw action in 10 games for the Griffins this season.
He totaled eight catches for 144 yards and a TD. Jones had his biggest game on Sept. 13, catching three passes for 78 yards in a 31-28 victory over Bloomsburg.
Seton Hill finishes its season at 4-7 (2-4 PSAC).
James Lilley, R-Junior, Saint Francis
Lilley, a 6-foot-4, 250-pound tight end, saw action in seven games for Saint Francis, recording no stats.
He most recently took the field on Nov. 22 in a 20-10 loss to Stonehill.
The Red Flash finish their season at 0-11 (0-7 NEC).
Carter Sollenberger, Senior, Salisbury
While most teams have already turned in their pads, Sollenberger and the Sea Gulls are still enjoying postseason play.
A 6-foot-1, 205-pound linebacker, Sollenberger recorded two tackles on Nov. 29 to help steer his team to a 35-28 victory over Endicott in the second round of the NCAA Division III Tournament.
Sollenberger has played in 11 games for Salisbury, totaling 41 tackles, including two tackles for loss, to go along with one pass breakup and three QB hurries.
The Sea Gulls (10-1, 6-1 NJAC) face Johns Hopkins on Saturday, Dec. 6, in the third round of NCAAs.
Jayden Jones, Junior, Salisbury
Jones, a 6-foot-1, 196-pound defensive back, has seen action in eight of 11 games for Salisbury this season.
He’s totaled 11 tackles, one interception, and two pass breakups. Jones most recently took the field on Nov. 14, posting two tackles in a 63-13 win over VTSU Castleton.
Lucas Lohman, Junior, Grove City
Lohman, a 5-foot-10, 225-pound fullback, saw the field in five games this season, recording no stats.
He most recently appeared on Nov. 22 in a 23-15 loss to Hanover.
Grove City ends its campaign at 8-3 (7-1 PAC).
Drew Pinkerton, Junior, Waynesburg
Pinkerton, a 6-foot, 180-pound kicker, had a productive season for the Yellow Jackets, ranking second on the team with 37 points scored.
He converted 3 of 7 field goals and was successful on 28 of 30 extra-point attempts. Pinkerton also handled kickoff duties for Waynesburg, driving 47 kickoffs for 2,653 yards, an average of 56.4 yards per kick.
He had one of his better games on Oct. 18, when he was 2 for 2 on both field goals and extra points in a 62-20 loss to Geneva.
The Yellow Jackets wrap up their campaign at 4-6 (4-4 PAC).
Patrick Demory, Junior, Waynesburg
Demory, a 6-foot-5 defensive lineman, saw action in one game this season.
He appeared on Sept. 27 in a 45-14 win over Thiel, recording no stats.
Brady Deneen, Sophomore, Mansfield
Deenen, listed as a 5-foot-9 linebacker, did a little of everything for the Mounties this fall.
He appeared in eight games for Mansfield, catching three passes for 41 yards and two TDs and rushing 10 times for 23 yards, while also recording a tackle. Deneen most recently found the end zone on Oct. 25, when he caught a 14-yard TD pass in a 27-13 victory over Cornell.
The Mounties end their season at 6-2 (3-1 CSFL North).
Jason Chambers, Freshman, Ithaca College
Chambers, a 5-foot-9, 175-pound defensive back, was inactive for Ithaca this season.
The Bombers finish their campaign at 8-2 (6-1 Liberty League).
Imari Watson, Freshman, Westminster College
Watson showed some pop in limited opportunities this season.
A 5-foot-6, 160-pound wide receiver, Watson appeared in four games and although he did not catch any passes, he did run six times for 69 yards for an average of 11.5 yards per carry. He most recently saw the field on Nov. 15, when he posted one rush for 16 yards in a 57-14 win over Saint Vincent.
Westminster wraps up its season at 8-3 (6-2 MAC).
Dominick Curtis, Freshman, Westminster College
Curtis, a 5-foot-10, 300-pound offensive lineman, did not see the field for Westminster this season.
Trever Luther, Freshman, Randolph-Macon
Luther experienced some success in his first season as the starting kicker for Randolph-Macon.
The 5-foot-11 Luther was 6 of 6 on field goals, with a long of 38 yards, and converted 34 of 36 extra points. He had one of his best games of the season on Oct. 18, when he knocked down both of his field goal attempts and punched 5 of 6 extra points through the uprights in a 47-0 win over guilford
The Yellow Jackets conclude their season at 9-2 (8-0 ODAC).
Volleyball
Kate Etter, Junior, Gwynedd Mercy
Etter ended her season on a hot streak, with the 5-foot-4 middle hitter blasting double-digit kill totals in each of Gwynedd Mercy’s final seven matches.
In one of her final matches of the season on Nov. 6, Etter exploded for 20 kills and 13 digs in a 3-0 loss to Moravian. She concludes her campaign with appearances in all 24 matches, including 22 starts, and in 92 sets of work she led the Griffins in points (340) and kills (297), while ranking third on the team in aces (29), digs (217), and blocks (25).
Gwynedd Mercy finishes its season at 8-16 (3-4 AEC).
Emily Stutzman, Senior, Waynesburg
Stutzman, a 5-foot-8 outside hitter/right side player, capped off her season as Waynesburg’s team leader in service aces.
Stutzman totaled 39 aces for the Yellow Jackets in 77 sets of work over 25 matches. She also racked up 61 points, 22 kills, six assists, and 121 digs. Stutzman concluded her season on Nov. 7, posting one kill, four aces, and eight digs in a 3-1 loss to Franciscan.
She finishes her four-year Waynesburg career with appearances in 50 matches, totaling 137 points, 89 kills, 40 aces, 12 assists, and 11 blocks along the way.
The Yellow Jackets finish their campaign at 2-25 (0-16 Presidents’ Athletic Conference).
Cara Bratthauar, Senior, Alfred
Bratthauar, a 6-foot middle blocker, started in all 30 matches for Alfred this fall.
In 101 sets of work she led the Saxons with 60 blocks while also totaling 152.5 points, 117 kills, 18 digs, and three assists. Bratthauar ended her season by posting at least three blocks in each of Alfred’s final seven matches. She recorded a season-high five blocks, and also posted nine kills, on Oct. 25 in a 3-2 loss to SUNY Geneseo.
Bratthauar concludes her Saxons career with appearances in 81 matches. Over that span she racked up 439.5 points, 343 kills, 136 blocks, 79 digs, 15 aces, and 10 assists.
Alfred wraps up its season at 12-18 (4-7 Empire 8).
Olivia Heidrich, Sophomore, Wilson
Heidrich, a 5-foot defensive specialist, saw action in three matches this fall.
She most recently appeared on Oct. 28, recording no stats in a 3-0 win over Valley Forge.
Wilson ends its season at 2-21 (2-8 United East).
Alayna Jones, Freshman, California (Pa.)
Jones ended her season with a flourish, posting seven kills in California’s 3-0 loss to Pitt-Johnstown on Nov. 15.
A 5-foot-8 outside hitter/defensive specialist, Jones appeared in 17 matches for the Vulcans this season, including four starts, and totaled 36.5 points, 33 kills, 20 digs, and seven blocks.
The Vulcans conclude their campaign at 19-11 (6-8 PSAC).
Riley Evans, Freshman, California (Pa.)
Evans, a 6-foot-2 middle hitter/right side player, saw action in 13 matches this season and in 18 sets of work she totaled 12 points, nine kills, one assist, and six blocks.
Her most recent block and kill came on Oct. 31 in a 3-2 win over Slippery Rock.
Addilyn Kegerreis, Freshman, Rollins
Kegerreis, a Chambersburg native who attended The Baylor School, saw part-time action in her first season of college volleyball.
A 6-foot-2 outside hitter/right side player, Kegerreis competed in 17 matches this fall and in 29 sets of work she totaled 32.5 points, 25 kills, three assists, 14 digs, and 15 blocks. She most recently cracked the scoring column on Nov. 7, when she recorded four kills in a 3-0 loss to Tampa.
Rollins ends its season at 16-17 (5-15 SSC).
Soccer
Cristian Lopez-Contreras, Sophomore, Harford
Lopez-Contreras finishes his season as Harford’s leading scorer.
A 6-foot, 160-pound midfielder, Lopez-Contreras competed in 20 games, including 16 starts, and led the Fighting Owls with 35 points and 16 goals, while adding five assists. His biggest game came on Sept. 25, when he posted three goals and an assist in an 8-0 win over Carroll Community College. Lopez-Contreras most recently scored a goal on Oct. 21 in a 4-0 win over the College of Southern Maryland.
Harford’s season came to an end on Nov. 1 with a 1-0 loss to Montgomery College in the NJCAA Region 20 Division I title game. The Fighting Owls conclude their fall at 11-7-2 (9-2-2 MD JUCO).
Michael Cespedes, Sophomore, Harford
Cespedes, a 5-foot-8, 155-pound forward, was Harford’s second-leading scorer this season.
He competed in 17 matches, including nine starts, and totaled 18 points on six goals and six assists. Cespedes netted a team-high three game-winners for the Fighting Owls, most recently on Sept. 30, when he scored the decisive goal in a 5-0 win over CCBC Catonsville.
Aubrey Pyne, Junior, Gannon
With Pyne in the rotation, Gannon had a dominant season.
A 5-foot-4 midfielder/forward, Pyne appeared in 15 games this fall and in 333 minutes she recorded two goals and three assists. Her most recent point came on Oct. 15, when she tallied an assist in a 5-1 win over Adelphi.
Gannon ends its season at 16-3-2 (11-1-2 PSAC).
Gabe Beckering, Sophomore, Hagerstown C.C.
Beckering, a Chambersburg native who went to Cumberland Valley Christian, saw plenty of action this fall as Hagerstown’s No. 2 goalkeeper.
The 6-foot Beckering appeared in 18 games, including three starts, and posted a 5-1 record. In 756 minutes of action he allowed 14 goals (1.67 goals allowed average) while posting 39 saves. Beckering’s most recent victory as starting goalkeeper came on Oct. 24 in the Hawks’ 15-1 win over PSU Hazelton.
Hagerstown wraps up its season at 12-6-1 (7-5-1 MD JUCO).
Lily Cornwell, Sophomore, Jacksonville State
Cornwell, a 5-foot-3 midfielder, netted the first goal of her college career this season.
Her goal came on Sept. 12 in a 6-0 win over Alabama State. Cornwell played in 14 games for Jacksonville State, includiing two starts, and totaled 366 minutes of playing time.
The Gamecocks (4-2-2) finish their season at 6-9-3 (0-7-1 Conference USA).
Gavin Boushell, Junior, Waynesburg
Boushell, a Chambersburg native who went to Shalom Christian, saw limited action for Waynesburg this fall.
A 6-foot-3 defender, Boushell competed in two games and saw 35 minutes of playing time. He most recently saw the field on Sept. 16 in an 8-1 win over Carlow.
The Yellow Jackets close out their season at 7-6-5 (2-4-5 PAC).
Alan Hoffner, Freshman, PSU Mont Alto
Hoffner, a Fayetteville native who went to 21st Century Cyber Charter, saw action in all 17 games for the Lions, including 16 starts.
A 5-foot-7, 160-pound winger, Hoffner posted one assist this season, which came in a 6-1 loss to Manor on Sept. 17.
Mont Alto finishes its campaign at 1-16 (1-7 PSUAC).
Giovanni Barberio, Freshman, PSU Mont Alto
Barberio, a 5-foot-11, 145-pound forward, posted a goal to help guide Mont Alto to its only win of the season.
Barberio, who started in 16 games for the Lions, netted his goal on Oct. 4 in a 4-0 win over PSU Hazleton.
Sydney Allison, Senior, PSU Mont Alto
With 5-foot-6 defender Allison starting in every match, Mont Alto allowed just 1.37 goals per game this fall and got to participate in the pool play round of the USCAA Division II National Championship.
Allison recorded one assist, which came on Oct. 4 in a 12-0 win over PSU Hazleton.
The Lions (11-8, 6-2 PSUAC) saw their campaign come to an end after going 0-2 in USCAA pool play.
Emily Vanpelt, Freshman, PSU Mont Alto
Vanpelt, a Chambersburg native who went to Shalom Christian, was a regular in the Mont Alto lineup this season.
A 5-foot-4 defender, Vanpelt appeared in 16 games, including seven starts, and posted four assist. Her most recent assist came on Nov. 1 in a 7-1 win over PSU Kensington.
Lenah Jumper, Freshman, PSU Mont Alto
Jumper, a 5-foot-5 defender, saw limited action for the Lions this fall.
She appeared in eight games and recorded an assist on Sept. 5 in a 7-0 win over Trinity Washington.
Elvis Hernandez Lopez, Freshman, Central Penn College
Lopez saw action in six games for the Knights this season, including three starts.
A midfielder, Lopez scored the first goal of his collegiate career on Oct. 15 in a 6-2 win over Williamson Trade.
Central Penn’s season ended on Nov. 1 with a 2-0 loss to Manor in the ESAC Championship game. The Knights close out their season at 7-5-3 (5-1-2 ESAC).
Drew Cover, Sophomore, Hartwick College
Cover, a goalkeeper, saw limited action for Hartwick this season.
He competed in four games, including three starts, and posted a 1-2 record. In 343 minutes of playing time Cover allowed nine goals (2.36 goals allowed average) and recorded eight saves.
He made his most recent start on Oct. 29, registering three saves in a 3-2 loss to Russell Sage College.
The Hawks conclude their campaign at 5-10-2 (4-6-1 Empire 8).
Addison Lloyd, Senior, Chatham College
Lloyd, a defender/midfielder, started in 18 games during Chatham’s winning campaign.
She saw 1,584 minutes of action, notching one assist and fortifying a Cougars defense that allowed just 1.26 goals per game. Lloyd recorded her assist on Sept. 27 in a 3-0 win over Franciscan.
She finishes her career with appearances in 40 games, including 34 starts.
Chatham wraps up its season at 10-6-3 (7-4 PAC).
Carly Cook, Sophomore, Marywood College
Cook, a 5-foot-2 forward, saw action in three games for Marywood this fall.
She most recently took the field on Oct. 25, recording no stats in a 5-1 win over Pratt.
The Pacers finish their season at 16-2 (7-0 Atlantic East).
Field hockey
Riley Dortenzo, Senior, Washington & Jefferson
Dortenzio started in all 16 games for Washington & Jefferson in her final season of field hockey.
A 5-foot-5 midfielder, Dortenzio finishes her college career with appearances in 60 games, including 42 starts, totaling one assist in 2,712 minutes of playing time.
The Presidents wrap up their season at 5-11 (3-6 NCAC).
Kenzie Boyd, Senior, Delaware Valley
Boyd, a 5-foot-2 midfielder, started in every game for Delaware Valley this season and ranked second on the Aggies in points scored.
She totaled five goals and a team-high seven assists. Boyd’s most recent point came on Oct. 29, when she recorded an assist in Delaware Valley’s 1-0 win over FDU-Florham.
Boyd wraps up her college career with 65 starts, which saw her rack up 11 goals and 10 assists in 3,957 minutes of playing time.
The Aggies conclude their season at 8-9 (3-4 MAC Freedom).
Finley Vandevander, Sophomore, Wilson
Vandevender saw a fair amount of playing time for Wilson this fall.
She appeared in 13 games, including one start, and in 335 minutes she totaled two goals and a defensive save. Vandevender’s most recent goal came on Oct. 14, when she found the back of the cage in a 5-2 win over Lancaster Bible.
The Phoenix finish their season at 5-10 (2-2 United East).
Morgan Smith, Sophomore, Mercyhurst
Smith, a 5-foot-5 forward, saw action in five games this season.
She most recently appeared on Oct. 28, recording no stats in a 6-0 win over D’Youville.
Mercyhurst finishes its season at 2-15 (1-8 NEC).
Golf
Jacob Bassham, Junior, PSU Mont Alto
Bassham can call himself a Second Team USCAA All-American after his performance at the USCAA/PSUAC Championship on Oct. 13-14.
In that event he carded a 77-76-153 to take 11th in the tournament. Bassham’s effort also earned him a spot on the PSUAC All-Conference Team.
With Bassham leading the way this fall, Mont Alto found great team success with four wins and two-runner finishes in six events. Individually, Bassham picked up two wins by shooting a 73 at the PSU DuBois Invitational on Sept. 14, and again by firing a 68 at the PSU York Invitational on Sept. 22. He also finished third with a 75 at the PSU Shenango Invitational on Sept. 13.
Levi Hassinger, Sophomore, PSU Mont Alto
Hassinger’s performance this season was crucial toward Mont Alto’s team success on the golf course.
His best placement came on Sept. 17, when he shot a 78 to take seventh at the PSU Mont Alto Invitational. Hassinger added a 12th-place score of 85 at the PSU Shenango Invitational on Sept. 13 and recorded an 84 for 15th at the PSU York Invitational on Sept. 22.
Brandon Vaughn, Senior, Penn College
Vaughn saw action in one event this season.
Competing at the DIII Northeast Elite on Sept. 28-29, he took 88th.
Jeremy Otto, Sophomore, Elizabethtown
Otto was a key starter for Elizabethtown, competing in seven events and landing two Top 10 finishes.
His best performance since our last update came on Sept. 18 at the Susquehanna Fall Invitational, where he finished as the Blue Jays top scorer. Otto shot a 75 to finish in a tie for 10th place.
His most recent sub-80 score came on Oct. 13-14, when he posted a 79 to finish in a tie for 26th place at the Lancaster Bible Invitational.
With the assistance of Otto, Elizabethtown earned three Top 3 team finishes this season.
Emily Rensch, Freshman, Siena
Rensch got her first taste of college competition this fall, with the newcomer taking on four events.
Her best finish came on Sept. 12, when she shot a 12-over to earn 11th place at the Crosstown Challenge against UAlbany. Rensch followed up by taking 29th at the SHU Women’s Fall Classic on Sept. 29-30, 49th at the UAlbany Great Danes Invitational, and 28th at the Le Moyne Lady Dolphin Invitational on Oct. 20-21.
With Rensch contributing, the Saints finished second in the team standings at the Le Moyne Invite.
Tennis
Ava Kalist, Junior, Shippensburg
Kalist had a strong fall on the court, posting a 3-0 record in singles matches.
She kicked off her season on Sept. 12-13 at the Bloomsburg Invitational and went 2-0 in singles matches with wins over West Liberty’s Megan Dunmeyer (4-0, 4-0) and Bloomsburg’s Madeline Delisio (6-1, 3-6, 10-6), while also going 0-2 in doubles.
Kalist got her first doubles win of the season in exciting fashion on Sept. 20 in Shippensburg’s 7-0 win over Clarion. She teamed up with former Chambersburg teammate Sarah Vessah at No. 2 doubles and posted a 7-6 (7-2) victory.
Shippensburg wrapped up its season on Oct. 11 with a 5-2 loss to Messiah. In that match, Kalist collected a 6-2, 2-6, 4-3 win over Jocelyn Valdez at No. 6 singles.
The Raiders (1-2) take a break for the winter and return to the court on Feb. 28 for a road match at York.
Sarah Vessah, Freshman, Shippensburg
Vessah went 1-1 in doubles matches this season.
She made her collegiate debut on Sept. 20 in a 7-0 win over Clarion. Vessah teamed up with former Chambersburg teammate Ava Kalist at No. 2 doubles and posted a 7-6 (7-2) win.
Vessah appeared again on Oct. 11 in a 5-2 loss to Messiah. She worked with Taylor Maguire at No. 3 doubles and the team fell by a 6-4 score.
Cross country
Camy Kiser, Junior, Pittsburgh
Kiser has taken on five 6K races since our last update, concluding with the NCAA Division I Mid-Atlantic Region Championships on Nov. 14. In that meet, Kiser ran for a 44th-place finish in 21:05.
She warmed up for the regional meet with three October races.
On Oct. 3, Kiser ran a PR time of 20:18 to take 20th at the Paul Short Run. She then clocked a 20:24 to take 14th at the Princeton Fall Classic on Oct. 17. Kiser then kicked off her postseason with the ACC Championships on Oct. 31 and ran a time of 20:41 for 62nd place.
Emilea Alleman, Senior, Millersville
Alleman capped off her career with a bang by running a PR at the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Championships on Nov. 8. There, she posted a time of 22:56 for 60th place to finish as Millersville’s third-leading runner in the race.
Alleman began her postseason by taking on the PSAC Championships on Oct. 25, recording a 6K time of 24:45 for 71st place. Leading up to the postseason she ran a 6K time of 23:45 for 188th place at the Paul Short Run on Oct. 3, and on Sept. 27 at the Dickinson Long-Short Invitational she recorded a 4K PR of 16:00 to claim 36th.
Emma Armstrong, Junior, Millersville
Armstrong has landed two PRs since our last update, an effort which included a Top 100 finish at the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Championships on Nov. 8.
It was at those region championships that Armstrong clocked a 6K PR of 23:53 for 100th place. She warmed up for the region meet with the PSAC Championships on Oct. 25, placing 80th with a 6K time of 25:03.
Prior to the postseason, Armstrong ran a 6K time of 24:37 for 262nd place at the Paul Short Invitational on Oct. 5, and on Sept. 27 she ran a 4K PR of 16:09 for 42nd place at the Dickinson College Long-Short Invitational.
Karter Reath, Senior, Geneva
Reath has competed in five races, including two postseason meets, since our last update.
Reath warmed up for the postseason on Oct. 4 at the Louisville Classic, posting an 8K PR of 26:15 for 77th place. Less than a month later, he was ready for the PAC Championships on Nov. 1, a meet that saw him take second place in 27:17.
Reath concluded his season by running a 40th-place time of 26:36 at the NCAA Division III Mid-Atlantic Region Championships on Nov. 15.
Brayden Boyd, Graduate, Shippensburg
Boyd has taken on three races since our last update, landing two PRs along the way.
The first of those PRs came on Sept. 27, when he recorded a 4K PR time of 12:29 for 13th place at the Dickinson College Long-Short Invitational. Boyd had another PR in the works at the Paul Short Run on Oct. 3, a race which saw him explode for an 8K PR of 26:33 for 317th place.
His season came to an end on Oct. 25, when he posted an 8K time of 27:59 for 103rd place at the PSAC Championships.
Livi Rieck, Senior, Shippensburg
Rieck capped off her Shippensburg career the same way she started it: By being a consistent runner.
Competing at the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Championships on Nov. 8, Rieck completed the 6K race in 22:28 for 35th place. It was the third time Rieck has landed a Top 40 finish at regionals. She was named to the USTFCCA All-Region team for the second time in her career.
Rieck geared up for the region meet with two races. She took on the Paul Short Run on Oct. 3, finishing the 6K run in 23:19 for 136th place, before posting a 6K time of 23:29 for 23rd place at the PSAC Championships on Oct. 25.
Owen Shrader, Sophomore, Shippensburg
Shrader has seen action in three races since our last update, posting PRs in two of those races.
The first PR came at the Dickinson College Long-Short Invitational on Sept. 27, when he ran a 4K time of 12:59 for 19th place. Shrader struck again with another PR, this time from the 8K distance, when he ran for a 26:49 for 284th place at the Paul Short Run on Oct. 3.
Shrader capped off his season on Oct. 25 at the PSAC Championships, an 8K race that saw him finish in 27:47 for 92nd place.
Liam Kirkpatrick, Freshman, Duquesne
It was a big first season for Kirkpatrick, who has nailed down two PRs and competed in two postseason races since our last update.
The first PR came on Sept. 12 at the RMU Colonial Invitational, which saw Kirkpatrick run an 8K time of 25:34 for 44th place. He ran two more races before kicking off his postseason at the Atlantic 10 Championships on Nov. 1, a meet that saw him take 79th in 25:50.
Kirkpatrick wrapped up his cross country season by running a 10K PR of 32:39 at the NCAA Division I Mid-Atlantic Region Championships to earn 140th place.
Ari Snyder, Freshman, High Point
Snyder had a superb first year on the race paths for High Point, competing in six meets and landing three PRs.
He was a Top 10 finisher at the Lancer Pink Invitational on Sept. 20, taking sixth in the 8K race with a time of 26:26. Snyder shaved more than a minute off that time on Oct. 3, when he ran an 8K PR of 25:22 for 22nd place.
Snyder was primed and ready for the postseason, which kicked off on Oct. 31 with the Big South Championship. There, he ran a 25:29 for 12th place.
Snyder wrapped up his season with a 10K PR at the NCAA Division I Southeast Region Championships on Nov. 14, taking 132nd with a time of 32:39.
Kaden Rife, Freshman, Washington and Lee
Rife has taken on three meets since our last update, including a postseason race.
He established an 8K PR of 27:01 at the NCAA DIII National Preview on Sept. 20, a time that was good enough for 62nd place. After finishing 377th in 28:31 at the Paul Short Run on Oct. 3, Rife set his sights on the ODAC Championships on Nov. 1.
At ODACs, Rife ran to a 54th-place finish in 28:35.
Dominick Onomastico, Freshman, Gannon
It was a busy first season of college cross country for Onomastico, who took on six events, including a postseason race.
His best 8K time of the season came on Oct. 11, when he recorded a 27:34 for 82nd place at the Highlander Invitational. Onomastico followed that performance up with competition at the PSAC Championships on Oct. 25, a race that saw him take 94th with an 8K time of 27:49.
Onomastico wrapped up his season on Nov. 1, running an 8K time of 28:48 for 23rd place at the Go-Fast River Run.
Brooke Richards, Junior, Ursinus
Richards had a busy and successful fall, competing in six meets and landing two PRs in the process.
She posted a 5K PR at the Haverford Invitational on Oct. 24, completing the race in 22:53 for 25th place. One week later on Nov. 1, Richards competed at the Centennial Conference Championships and placed 94th with a 6K time of 26:33.
She saved her best effort for last, exploding for a 6K PR of 26:27 for 128th place at the NCAA Division III Metro Region Championships.
Lexi Boyd, Sophomore, Saint Joseph’s
Boyd competed in four races this season.
Her best performance came at the Paul Short Run on Oct. 3, when she completed the 6K race with a season-best of time 23:13 for 126th place.
Madison Bidniuk, Sophomore, Waynesburg
Bidniuk has competed in two events since our last update.
On Oct. 18, she took on the Aubrey Shenk Invitational, placing 273rd with a 6K time of 32:52. Bidniuk was a DNF at the PAC Championships on Nov. 1.
Ben Colli, Senior, Duquesne
Colli was inactive for Duquesne this season. He last competed for the Dukes’ track squad in April.
Cheerleading
Jayleigh Drake, Sophomore, Appalachian State
Drake has made the Appalachian State cheer roster as an All-Girl Base.
E-sports
Djym Desronvil, Freshman, Albright
Desronvil, using the gamertag SoulZir, is a Rocket League competitor on Albright’s E-Sports team.
Brendan Cleary, Junior, Wilson
Cleary is a Rocket League/Marvel Rivals competitor for the Wilson E-Sports team.
Rowan Frye, Junior, Wilson
Frye is competing for Wilson’s E-Sports squad as an Overwatch/Marvel Rivals specialist.
Rugby
ZyQuaria Climons, Graduate, Mount St. Mary’s
Climons helped guide Mount St. Mary’s to a 5-2-1 record this season.
Bowling
Katy McNemar, Sophomore, Saint Anselm
McNemar had a productive fall season for Saint Anselm, which she concluded with a strong showing at the DII Thanksgiving Invite on Nov. 21-23.
There, McNemar was the top bowler for the Hawks, finishing 13th in the field of 88 bowlers. She has been one of Saint Anselm’s top bowlers all season, twice being honored on the East Coast Conference Weekly Honor Roll.
The Hawks (15-32) will take a long winter break before returning to the lanes on Friday, Feb. 6, for the Flyer Classic in Lockport, Ill.
Wrestling
Luke Nichter, R-Senior, Drexel
Nichter has won back-to-back matches after starting the season with a loss.
The 157-pounder hit a snag in the season-opening Princeton Tournament on Nov. 2. He dropped his first match by a 10-7 score to George Mason’s Thomas Storfka, before exiting the tournament with a medical forfeit.
Nichter snapped back to form on Nov. 16 when he started for the dual squad and went 2-0 in Drexel’s wins over Duke (37-4) and Morgan State (38-9). He blasted the Blue Devils’ Mike Boulanger by an 11-2 major decision, before slipping past the Bears’ Yannis Charles by a 9-4 decision.
Nichter owns a career collegiate record of 63-42.
The Dragons (2-0, 1-0 CAA) return to action on Friday, when they play host to Penn State.
Ashton Romberger, Freshman, Wilkes University
Romberger has made an immediate impact for Wilkes in his first season of collegiate wrestling.
A starter for the duals team, Romberger is off to a 7-2 start, with three falls, one technical fall, and one major decision. He made a splash in the first competition of the season, by placing sixth at 141 pounds at the Ned McGinley Tournament on Nov. 1.
The Colonels (1-2) return to the mat on Saturday, Dec. 6, when they hit the road for the Elizabethtown Tournament.
Logan Mickey, Freshman, Penn College
Mickey, a reserve 157-pounder, has been inactive for Penn College this season.
The Wildcats (1-1) return to action on Friday, Dec. 6, when they visit York College for the New Standard Invitational.
Zach Evans, R-Sophomore, Buffalo
Evans, a heavyweight, has been inactive for Buffalo this season.
The Bulls (0-3) return to competition on Friday, Dec. 5, for a road match at Bloomsburg.
Luke Mentzer, R-Sophomore, Gannon
Wrestling at 133 pounds, Mentzer nailed down a sixth-place finish at the Bob Del Rosa Ohio Open on Nov. 9.
He clinched a spot on the awards stand after winning his consolation match with a fall in 2:55 over Mercyhurst’s Edwin Mooney. The win pushed Mentzer to the fifth-place match, where he fell by a 5-4 decision to teammate Carter Beck.
With Mentzer’s contributions, Gannon finished the Ohio Open as the champion over the 25-team field.
The Golden Knights (3-0) return to the mat on Saturday, Dec. 13, when they hit the road to take on the Midwest Classic in Indianapolis.
Aiden Hight, R-Freshman, Pitt-Johnstown
After a season at North Dakota State, Hight is now on the Pitt-Johnstown roster.
Hight, a 197-pounder who owns a 1-8 career record, is waiting to see his first competition on the mat this winter.
The Mountain Cats (2-0) return to action on Friday, Dec. 5, with a home match against Shippensburg.
Avery Kuhns, R-Sophomore, Millersville
Kuhns, a heavyweight, kicked off his season on Nov. 1 at the Glenville State Invitational.
He went 2-2 and posted a major decision.
Millersville (2-0) hits the road on Wednesday, Dec. 3, to take on East Stroudsburg.
Basketball
Brant Byers, R-Sophomore, Miami (Ohio)
Miami is off to an unbeaten start this season and Byers, a 6-foot-8, 200-pound wing, is a big part of the reason.
Byers, a Chambersburg native who attended Perkiomen, has started in all six games for the Redhawks and in 157 minutes of playing time he’s totaled team bests in points (81) and 3-pointers (15), while also adding 28 rebounds, two assists, three steals, and three blocks.
Byers, who has posted double-digit scoring numbers in every game this winter, most recently took the court on Nov. 26 in an 82-71 win over UNC Greensboro. In that game he recorded 11 points, three rebounds, one block and one assist.
Miami (6-0) returns to the court on Tuesday, Dec. 2, when it hosts Miami East.
J.J. Kelly, Freshman, Ohio
In his first season of college basketball, Kelly has been a regular in Ohio’s rotation.
A 6-foot-6, 195-pound guard, Kelly has played in all seven games for the Bobcats, including two starts, and in 143 minutes of playing time he’s totaled 30 points (4.3 ppg), 27 rebounds (3.9 rpg), two assists, two steals, and four blocks.
Kelly had his biggest game on Nov. 15, when he poured in 11 points, five rebounds, and one block in a 106-81 loss to Louisville.
Ohio (1-6) returns to the hardwood on Wednesday, Dec. 3, when it hosts Maine.
Ethan Wolgemuth, Sophomore, King’s College
Wolgemuth has seen limited playing time so far this season.
A 6-foot-8, 250-pound forward, Wolgemuth has appeared in four games and in 11 minutes of playing time he’s posted one rebound. That rebound came on Nov. 14 in a 96-60 loss to Susquehanna.
King’s College (2-5) returns to the hardwood on Wednesday, Dec. 3, when it hosts Centenary University.
Ella Parker, Sophomore, Muhlenberg
Parker, a 5-foot-10 guard/forward, has seen action in four of seven games this winter.
In 34 minutes of playing time she’s totaled two rebounds, an assist, and a steal. Parker most recently took the court on Nov. 18, pulling down a rebound in a 68-44 loss to Lebanon Valley.
Muhlenberg (3-4) returns to the floor on Tuesday, Dec. 2, when it plays host to Misericordia.
Daijah Wallace, Sophomore, PSU Mont Alto
Wallace has started in all five games for Mont Alto this season.
A 5-foot-7 guard, Wallace has seen 159 minutes on the court, totaling 22 points, 19 rebounds, four assists, and one steal. Her biggest game came on Nov. 15, when she poured in 10 points, eight rebounds, an assist, and a steal in a 61-35 win over Central Penn.
The Lions (3-2, 2-0 PSUAC) return to the hardwood on Tuesday, Dec. 2, with a home game against PSU York.
Swimming
Abby Caltrider, Sophomore, Messiah
Caltrider has been the leading point scorer for a Messiah squad that has won all but one dual meet this season.
She’s landed 10 finishes in the Top 5, with two of those coming at the York Spartan Splash Invitational on Nov. 21-23. In that invite, Caltrider took third in the 100 butterfly (1:02.44), fourth in the 200 butterfly (2:30.61), and 15th in the 100 freestyle (59.25).
The Falcons (6-1, 5-1 MAC) hit the road on Friday, Dec. 5, for the Gettysburg Invitational.
Hailey Fegan, Sophomore, Messiah
Fegan has been inactive for Messiah up to this point in the season.
Jed Ritchie, Sophomore, Wheaton
Ritchie recently picked up his first victory of the season on Nov. 14-15 in his team’s 205-130 win over Carthage College.
Competing in the 200 butterfly, Ritchie took the top spot in 1:59.66, while also earning runner-up finishes in the 500 freestyle (4:53.78) and the 400 IM (4:27.10). In four meets this season he’s totaled eight Top 5 finishes.
The Thunder (1-4) host the Wheaton Invite on Thursday, Dec. 4.
Audrey Kough, Senior, Washington & Jefferson
Kough, a freestyle/backstroke specialist, has competed in four meets this season and has landed six Top 5 finishes in the process.
Kough’s best placement of the season came on Oct. 15 in a tri-meet with Bethany and Wheeling, when she took third in the 100 freestyle (1:12.37) and fifth in the 200 freestyle (2:35.85). She most recently competed on Nov. 20-22 at the Malone Invitational, taking 29th in the 1,650 freestyle (23:27.11), 38th in the 100 backstroke (1:21.96), and 46th in the 500 freestyle (6:46.64).
Washington & Jefferson (1-3, 1-1 PAC) returns to competition on Saturday, Dec. 8, with a home meet against Saint Vincent.
