Mt. Lebanon, Seton-La Salle take home top Almanac honors
Mt. Lebanon’s Kate Sramac (left) and David Harvey (center) were named the top female and male athletes of the year while Seton-La Salle’s Elizabeth Farnan (right) won the prestigious Waldie/Shaeffer Scholarship Award at the 27th Almanac Premier Performers Sports Banquet.
The Friends of Waldie donated $1,500 to the Waldie/Shaeffer Scholarship and presented the award to Elizabeth Farnan. The Seton-La Salle senior earned an appointment to the United States Naval Academy. Pictured from left are: Steve McGinnis, Frank DelPercio, Farnan, Tom Etzel, Mary Louise Klimm and Terry Crump.
Almanac sports Editor Eleanor Bailey speaks during the 2017 Almanac Sports Banquet May 21 while Mary Louise Klimm and Seton La-Salle athlete Elizabeth Farnan listen following the presentation of the Waldie/Schaeffer Scholarship Award.
Mt. Lebanon student Kate Sramac, who won the 2017 Female Athlete of the Year award during the 2017 Almanac Sports Banquet May 21, stands with Almanac sports Editor Eleanor Bailey and last year’s male athlete of the year, Jacob Dixon.
Mt. Lebanon student David Harvey, who won the 2017 Male Athlete of the Year award during the 2017 Almanac Sports Banquet May 21, stands with Almanac sports Editor Eleanor Bailey and last year’s winner, Jacob Dixon.
Mary Louise Klimm, sister of Ken Waldie, speaks May 21 during the 2017 Almanac Sports Banquet in Bethel Park.
Seton La-Salle athlete Elizabeth Farnan speaks after receiving the Waldie/Schaeffer Scholarship Award during the 2017 Almanac Sports Banquet in Bethel Park.
Ethan Smith (center) and his mom, Michelle, and (to be named) views the photographs of the 50 athletes honored at the 27th annual Premier Performers Sports Banquet. The Peters Township senior was The Almanac’s MVP for fencing.
Harvey Kane enters the banquet room followed by Mike Kapusta. Almanac MVP for track, Kane won two medals at the WPIAL championships, silver and bronze for the high and long jumps. Almanac MVP for volleyball, Kapusta had Bethel Park in the WPIAL semifinals this week.
Gabe Houy poses for a picture with his grandmother, Mary, and his mother, Lori. Houy was one of the Top 10 finalist for The Almanac’s Male Athlete of the Year award. The Upper St. Clair senior will play football at the University of Pittsburgh.
The Bruce family of McMurray had two honorees in Hunter (right) and Connor (back). Hunter was Almanac MVP for golf and Connor was MVP for boys’ tennis singles. Both are WPIAL champions in their respective sports. With the standouts are Allan and Marcy (parents) and Marra (sister)
Savannah Shaw (seated second from right) was The Almanac’s MVP for girls’ cross country. She enjoyed the banquet with her family and coaches. Pictured with Savannah are (front) Finley Petrick, Jillian and Alex Shaw; (back) Doug Petrick, David and Tara Shaw.
Athlete of the Year male finalist Caleb Zajicek from Chartiers Valley shared the evening with his parents, Monica and John. Zaicek led the Colts in goal to the WPIAL soccer title. He also excelled in basketball and lacrosse.
Almanac lacrosse MVP Isabel Schiedenhelm from Canon-McMillan checks in with Almanac Managing Editor Mike Jones while Peters Township’s Mia Kness waits her turn.
Almanac MVPs Kylie Airesman (volleyball) and Kaci Alderson (softball) led off the Parade of Champions at the 27th annual Premier Performers Sports Banquet. In the background also are Chyna Beck (track MVP), Jason Bauer (hockey) and Nino Bonaccorsi (athlete of the year finalist).
Jacob Dixon
The Crowne Plaza Pittsburgh South was the place to be May 21 as the stars came out and were recognized for the 27th time by the Almanac. Fifty athletes were awarded for their excellence and the Premier Performers Sports Banquet attracted a crowd of 215.
Mt. Lebanon dominated the scene as Kate Sramac and David Harvey captured top honors. The seniors were named athletes of the year. In addition, Elizabeth Farnan became the 16th winner of the prestigious Waldie/Shaeffer Scholarship Award.
Sramac claimed Female Athlete of the Year, edging out a field that included national All-American, Aideen O’Donoghue of Canon-McMillan, as well as her state champion soccer-playing teammates Sabrina Bryan and Cheyenne Trest. The competition also included PIAA golf champion Mia Kness from Peters Township and PIAA swim champion and WPIAL record holder Trinity Ward of Mt. Lebanon. Bethel Park senior Kayte Zeiler and underclassmen Brionna Allen from Bishop Canevin and Seton-La Salle’s Elizabeth Grefenstette completed the Top 10 list of female finalists.
A three-sport athlete, Sramac has her lacrosse team poised to defend its WPIAL title. The Blue Devils reached the semifinals with a 12-9 win against Bethel Park. The finals are set for 8 p.m. May 25 at Robert Morris University. Sramac also excelled in basketball and was selected to the U18 USA ice hockey development team. She maintained a 4.1 GPA in the classroom, belonged to Link Leaders and volunteered at Children’s Hospital. She gained high praise from her hoop coach as “the All-American girl.”
“I would be overjoyed if my own daughters grow up to possess her positive qualities,” said Dori Oldaker. “Kate has that ‘Wow’ factor and she will make a difference in the this world.
That world expands to New York next fall. Kate will play basketball at Cornell and major in communications.
Harvey, too, had the Blue Devils in position to win a WPIAL lacrosse title. They played rival Upper St. Clair May 23 at Mars in the semifinals. The finals are set for May 26 at Robert Morris University. As a sophomore, he played on Lebo’s last LAX championship club. The Blue Devils were runners-up last season. While, he also played basketball, Harvey made his mark on the gridiron. He led Lebo to a conference championship by rushing for 1,408 yards in the highest classification. He also scored 20 touchdowns. Academically, he pulled down a 5.0 GPA and earned admittance into Lebo’s prestigious Cum Laude Society. He also was a National Honor Society member and Link Leader.
According to Mike Melynk, Harvey is worth emulating by all.
“David is an outstanding athlete but a better person,” said the Lebo football coach. He leads by his actions and always makes the right choices. He is a fine example for everyone, not just those in our program.”
In the fall, Harvey will set the standard at Princeton University. He is undecided regarding his major but hopes to return to Mt. Lebanon to earn a living and raise a family, he said.
The other top male finalists included: the Upper St. Clair duo of Eli Grape and Gabe Houy, a Pitt football recruit; the Keystone Oaks record-setting passing tandem of Alex Smith and Nick Hrivnak; Canon-McMillan’s pair of Brendan Furman, a state wrestling champion bound for Cornell, and Bryan Milligan; Pitt recruit Nino Bonaccorsi from Bethel Park; Chartiers-Houston record-point setter A.J. Myers and Chartiers Valley’s WPIAL champion soccer goalie Caleb Zajicek.
Meanwhile, Farnan exceeded criteria for the scholarship, given to the top athlete committed to serving the country. The Seton-La Salle senior and McMurray resident earned an appointment to the United States Naval Academy.
Farnan played defense on the Rebels’ playoff lacrosse team, qualified for the PIAA cross country championships and lettered in swimming. She owned a 5.09 GPA and won several academic awards, including the distinction as a National Merit Commended Scholar. She is a class senator, NHS and English National Honor Society member and an assistant drum major in the marching band.
According to Brian Klisavage, “Liz sees the possibilities in life. She will achieve great things and make this world a better place.”
In addition to Farnan, Daniel McGeough, Nathaniel Taylor and Olivia Yocca were Waldie/Shaeffer Award finalists.
The Friends of Waldie along with Mary Louise Klimm presented the Waldie/Shaeffer Award, which included a $1,500 cash donation towards the scholarship from the foundation.
Klimm, a resident of Massachusetts, is the sister of Ken Waldie, who perished in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. She familiarized the athletes and audience with Mr. Waldie’s selfless life of devotion to his faith, family and country. She said that she was encouraged by the drive and determination she has seen among all the present and past Waldie/Shaeffer candidates, who have dedicated themselves to a life of service to their nation just as her brother had before he died at the age of 46.
Friends of Waldie in attendance included Bethel Park alumni and classmates Terry Crump, Frank DelPercio, Tom Etzel and Steve McGinnis. They donated $1,500 to The Almanac’s Waldie/Shaeffer Award. The Friends of Waldie organization has contributed no less than $1,000 each year to the scholarship since it was established by The Almanac in 2002.
The Almanac also acknowledged the achievements of 24 more athletes. Those MVPs included: Savannah Shaw, Aaron Pfeil, Morgan Happe, Connor Bruce, Liam Gibbons, Kevin Kwok, Samara Schratz, Hutner Bruce, Kylie Aieresman, Mike Kapusta, Sean Tinney, Justina Mascaro, Walter Bonds, Alexandra Rovers, Stephen Hopta, Jack Fitzpatrick, Abby Hay, Trevor Mahoney, Jason Bauer, Ethan Smith, Marcus Huetter, Chyna Beck, Harvey Kane, Isabel Schiedenhelm, Kaci Alderson and Cameron Weston.
Pastor Joe DiDonato served as emcee. Jacob Dixon of Bethel Park returned to the dais as a special guest. In addition to presenting plaques to the Top 10 finalist and announcing the winners, the 2016 Male Athlete of the Year spoke words of encouragement to the athletes.
“Nothing is etched in stone,” said Dixon, who started out playing volleyball at Lewis University but transferred to Duquesne to resume his football career. “You have to stay true to yourself and your beliefs.” He added, “don’t forget where you came from and always count on your support system. They are there for you.” And he reminded the athletes to continue to “work hard” and always “be nice to people.”