Almanac announces male finalists for Athlete of the Year
2017 Almanac Sports Banquet
Nino Bonaccorsi Bethel Park senior Wrestling University of Pittsburgh Two-time PIAA runner-up Two-time WPIAL champion Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic All-USA Wrestling Team 148-21 career record
Brendan Furman Canon-McMillan senior Wrestling Cornell University Almanac MVP PIAA& WPIAL champion Four-time section champion Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic 137-33 career record
Eli Grape Upper St. Clair senior Wrestling, football Lehigh University Almanac all-star in two sports Led USC in tackles with 114 All-Conference & team MVP National All-American Three-time PIAA placewinner
David Harvey Mt. Lebanon senior Football, lacrosse, basketball Princeton University All-Conference, All-Almanac Lebo football MVP WPIAL Scholar-Athlete Team captain Rushed for 1,408 yards
Gabe Houy Upper St. Clair senior Football, basketball University of Pittsburgh All-State, All-Conference All-Almanac & Fab 22 Big 33 Classic Rated 18th by ESPN Athletes Taking Action
Nick Hrivnak Keystone Oaks senior Football, basketball Two-year all-conference Almanac all-star Team captain two sports Set school records for career receptions. Holds school record for receptions in one season.
Bryan Milligan Canon-McMillan senior Football, wrestling Two-time Almanac all-star Observer-Reporter All-District Holds multiple school rushing records Rushed for 3,240 career yards. Sectional bronze medalist Helped Big Macs to section title
AJ Myers Chartiers-Houston senior Basketball, football, baseball All-state & Section MVP Two-time Almanac all-star Roundball Classic pick Career-points leader All-conference Team captain
Alex Smith Keystone Oaks senior Football Duquesne University All-State, AAA POTY Almanac MVP WPIAL record holder School records for season and career yardage. Record holder for TD passes.
Caleb Zajicek Chartiers Valley senior Soccer, basketball, lacrosse WPIAL soccer champion All-Section & All-WPIAL 12 shutouts, 0.70 GA Averaged 14 points in hoops Team captain three sports National Honor Society
Listed below is a synopsis for each finalist for The Almanac Male Athlete of the Year award. The top 10 will be honored, along with their female counterparts as well as the MVPs in their respective sports, at the 27th annual Premier Performers Sports Banquet. This year’s event will be held at 6:30 p.m. May 21 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Bethel Park. Tickets are $35. To order, call 724-941-7725 ext. 8129 or 412-874-8704.
Nino Bonaccorsi
Only one Bethel Park wrestler has won more matches than Santino Bonaccorsi and that happens to be his brother, Nick, who was an Almanac MVP in 2011. Nino finished his career with 148 victories while Nick totaled 158 thanks to extra bouts because the Hawks reached the team playoffs and won a WPIAL title during his tenure.
Nino is a two-time WPIAL champion, two-time regional winner, two-time state runner-up, three-time placewinner and three-time section winner as well as a Powerade, FloNational and Super 32 champion
Nino participated in the Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic and was also picked to wrestle in the Dream Classic, held recently in Chicago. He was just named to the All-USA Wrestling Team.
Coaches have noted his work ethic and sincerity. According to them, Nino is the hardest working wrestler, and one of the most respectful and respected. “Santino,” they also say, “is an exceptional young man.”
Nino will take his talents to the University of Pittsburgh and wrestle for the Panthers. He will explore studies in business, nursing and engineering.
Brendan Furman
Champions are not created overnight. They are cultivated over years.
Brendan Furman is no exception. It took him six years to reach the pinnacle in wrestling. And getting to the top required plenty of sweat and resilience.
When Brendan started, he never won a match. In fact, he lost every bout by fall. Yet, Brendan didn’t quit. He tried harder. And before he knew it, he was winning with regularity.
Brendan posted a 137-33 record at Canon-McMillan. He was 47-3 this winter. Plus, he captured that elusive championship. Brendan won the PIAA heavyweight title. He also was a WPIAL and regional champion. Plus, he was a four-time section, Super 32 and Powerade winner.
Brendan, who trains with the Pitt Wrestling Club, helped the Big Macs to a runner-up title in the WPIAL team competition.
He will continue his wrestling career at Cornell University while pursuing studies in industrial labor relations.
Eli Grape
This Upper St. Clair senior emulated alumnus Sean Lee on the gridiron, leading the Panthers in tackles the past two seasons and earning the MVP award named in honor of the Dallas Cowboys linebacker.
Eli, like Lee, is also an athlete of the year finalist due in part to his excellence in two sports. While Lee led USC to a WPIAL title in basketball and won The Almanac’s AOTY award in 2005, Eli also excelled on the mats for the Panthers. In fact, he will compete in that sport in college, wrestling for Lehigh University.
Grape finished tied as USC’s best grappler. He posted a career record of 132-27 with 72 wins by fall. He is a two-time national high school All-American, three-time placewinner and section champion, two-time WPIAL runner-up, Allegheny County champion, County Brotherhood of Wrestling Award recipient, Southmoreland Outstanding Wrestler, Ohio Tournament of Champions winner and two-time USC team MVP and captain.
On the gridiron, he earned All-Conference and Almanac acclaim. He also has been recognized by the WPIAL for his sportsmanship.
Academically, Eli owns a 3.7 GPA and an IB diploma. He was named to the PWCA All-Academic wrestling squad.
Socially, he’s been a Student of the Year nominee, Natural Helper providing a safety network for at-risk teens and a Young Life Youth Group counselor. Eli also belongs to Quest Wrestling. The club’s mission is to build champions for life.
USC head coach Josh Mollica notes mission accomplished as “Eli is viewed by his peers as someone they could talk to when confronting conflicts, loneliness, academic pressures, loss, abuse and family crisis. He also has a way of fostering improvement and love for sports among those that he mentors.”
David Harvey
The complete package. That’s David Harvey of Mt. Lebanon.
He’s athletic, excelling in football and lacrosse.
He’s musically inclined. He has played the violin since third grade. He performs in the school orchestra.
He’s intelligent. He is a member of Lebo’s prestigious Cum Laude Society, pulling down a 5.0 GPA. He belongs to National Honor Society and Link Leaders. Plus, he volunteers for Special Olympics.
In the athletic arena, he has achieved much. On the gridiron, David rushed for 1,408 yards in the highest classification. He scored 20 touchdowns, including five against Bethel Park in the contest that decided the conference title for Lebo. Defensively, he had 34 solo tackles, three for losses and a fumble recovery that he returned for a 60-yard TD. David earned All-conference acclaim, the Art Walker Award as Lebo’s MVP and All-Almanac accolades. A team captain, David also lettered four years in lacrosse, helping Lebo to a WPIAL title as a sophomore and a runner-up honor last season. He also owns three varsity letters for basketball.
David will play football at Princeton.
According to his coach, Mike Melnyk: “David is an outstanding athlete but a better person. He leads by his actions and always makes the right choices. He is a fine example for everyone, not just those in our program.”
Gabe Houy
At 6-7, 270 pounds, Gabe Houy presented obstacles for opponents. He anchored both sides of Upper St. Clair’s line in football. He controlled the paint as center for the Panthers’ hoop squad. And, he accomplished great things.
In football, Gabe was All-state, All-Conference, All-Almanac, Fab 22, All Allegheny 9, Team PA All-Class 5. A three-year starter, Gabe also was invited to play in the East-West Classic and picked to participate in the prestigious Big 33 game. He is rated 18th by ESPN among all lineman in state.
In addition to being a team captain for both teams, Gabe is a member of Athletes Taking Action and a counselor at youth football camps.
A standout in the classroom as an honors student, Gabe goes unnoticed because of his quiet personality. “He leads by example and efforts,” says Jim Render. “Gabe is a quality person who does not cause trouble or create problems for his parents, coaches or teachers.”
In the future, Gabe will create problems only for Pitt opponents. He will play tackle for the Panthers and major in business or sports management.
Nick Hrivnak
The consummate team player. That’s what coaches called Nick Hrivnak. The Keystone Oaks senior did what he was supposed to do and his teams benefited.
On the gridiron, he was assigned to catch passes. Nick did so with such regularity that he set records.
He set single-season school records with 64 grabs for 900 yards. He also holds career records for yards (1,912) and receiving (130).
Nick ranked second in the WPIAL as he helped KO to a 9-2 record. It was one of the Golden Eagles’ best seasons ever, falling 20 seconds away from competing in the WPIAL final at Heinz Field.
Nick earned All-Conference and All-Almanac honors.
In addition, Nick captained both the football and hoop teams at KO. He is a three-year letterwinner in basketball.
Outside the athletic arena, he maintains a 3.6 GPA. Nick is a member of Students Against Destructive Decisions and works as a camp counselor during the summer.
Nick will play football at Washington & Jefferson College and major in criminal justice.
He hopes to become a CSI or FBI agent.
Bryan Milligan
Look up the word tough in the dictionary and one might find the name Bryan Milligan. For this Canon-McMillan senior played through the pain. During an injury-plagued career, he still put up impressive numbers that rivaled those of major Division I football prospects.
In 25 football games, he rolled up 3,230 yards on 531 carriers. He averaged 6.1 yards per carry and 129 yard per game.
“Brian’s just a tough kid who wanted to play,” said C-M coach Mike Evans.
In the process, Bryan broke multiple school rushing records, including single-game yards with 322 versus Baldwin. He earned All-Conference honors two seasons in a row. Plus, he was an Almanac and Observer-Reporter all-star.
Bryan also proved a good wrestler and he helped the Big Macs win. His matches clinched a section title for C-M and helped the team reach the WPIAL finals, finishing runner-up to Kiski Area.
In school, Bryan shares his talents. He belongs to the Special Education Community club.
Brian will continue his football-playing career at West Liberty.
A.J. Myers
A.J. Myers is not a Rah-Rah guy. No, he lets his actions do the talking.
On the basketball court, they spoke volumes as he scored a school record 1,638 points.
This winter, he averaged 23 a game. He also managed 6.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 3.1 steals.
Chartiers-Houston benefited. The Bucs reached the WPIAL quarterfinals and PIAA playoffs.
A.J. reaped rewards for his sensational season. Among them: All-state, Section MVP, Almanac all-star and Observer-Reporter All-District team. He participated in both the Roundball Classic and Rising Star all-star games.
A.J. also excelled on the gridiron.
He was a four-year starter, two-time all-conference player and team captain. He had 95 receptions for 1,554 yards and 401 more yards rushing. he scored 19 TDs.
A.J. is also putting up good numbers this spring in baseball, batting .478 to rank among the top hitters in the WPIAL.
According to his coaches Eugene Briggs and Terry Fetsko, “A.J. is a quiet but positive leader. He sets the example for the other players.”
Alex Smith
Nice guys do finish first. Just ask Greg Perry. The Keystone Oaks football coach says that.
Alex Smith is just a nice young man. He puts his teammates first.
Actually, Alex did more than that. He carried the Golden Eagles to their finest year ever. KO was 20 seconds away from playing in its first championship. It lost to Beaver Falls, 28-21, in the WPIAL semifinals.
Alex set several WPIAL records including single game record for yards from scrimmage with 655 and first player to throw for 3,000 yards and rush for 1,000 more in one season. He passed for 3,061 yards and 34 TDs and rushed for 1,117 yards.
Alex also set several school records including season and career yards as well as career TDs.
He passed for 5,126 yards and 50 TDs. He rushed for 2,0651 yards and 29 scores in his career.
Alex was rewarded well. He was named: Almanac MVP, WPIAL Class AAA Player of the Year, first-team all-state, conference Player of the Year.
Alex will play football at Duquesne University. He will pursue a major in forensic sciences and a career in law.
Caleb Zajicek
If it’s a pick-up game in the neighborhood, Caleb Zajicek is the guy selected first. That’s because this Chartiers Valley senior is a winner.
For example, when the Colts needed a goalkeeper, they begged Caleb to divide his time with basketball. He did and the Colts won a WPIAL title this fall. Caleb recorded 12 shutouts and allowed 0.70 goals per game. He earned All-Section and All-WPIAL honors.
Caleb is a four-year letterwinner in lacrosse. He helped CV win a section title as a midfielder. The Colts are poised to make another run at a WPIAL title.
Caleb is also a three-year letterwinner in basketball. He played on CV’s WPIAL and section championship clubs. He averaged 14 points and nearly 3 steals and assists per game.
A natural leader, he has captained all three of his teams.
Outside the athletic arena, Caleb is a winner, too.
He is a member of National Honor Society, Students Against Destructive Decisions, DECA, Boys & Girls Club of America and CV’s Social Committee.
In the classroom, he owns a 3.9 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
According to his soccer coach, Garrett McKenzie: “Caleb is a great role model because he excels in the classroom while also being able to play three sports and contribute to society. He is a leader. He is involved. He strives to be the best he can be.”