Megan Gibbons A symphony in sweatsocks! That’s Megan Gibbons. This Mt. Lebanon junior is both a talented athlete & musician. She plays the viola and is a member of the school orchestra. Megan also plays varsity tennis. Plus, she’s the manager of the wrestling team. But, it is her lacrosse skill that we recognize. Megan is so talented that as a sophomore she committed to Lehigh. This spring, her junior year, she poured in more than 50 goals. She led the Lebo ladies to the WPIAL finals twice. They were the district runners-up this spring and PIAA qualifiers. The Blue Devils were state semifinalists in 2014. Megan garnered All-WPIAL & All-section honors, multiple times. She has been a two-time selection to the national team. She plays club lacrosse and referees soccer matches. Megan also has a big heart. She attended the Medallion Ball for her hours of volunteer service. Megan is a • 4.6 honors student • Link Leader • National Honor Society member • Tutor and Vacation Bible School volunteer.

Maddie Bartrug The Little Mermaid? Maddie Bartrug may look like her. But this South Fayette senior is a real shark in the water. With 7 state & 11 district medals, she’s certainly taken the bite out of the competition. She started her career with a WPIAL title in the 50 free. She upped the yardage to 200 and won that distance as a senior. Maddie is a member of five WPIAL championship relays. She is All-state in two events and three relays. Maddie finished seventh in the 200 free at the PIAA finals. A two-year captain, she holds several team, school & pool marks. She helped the Lady Lions to a WPIAL runner-up title as a junior. Maddie is equally sharp in the classroom with a 4.5 GPA. She is a member of the National Honor Society. Maddie also enjoys running and biking. So don’t be surprised if she’s dominating the triathlon circuit soon. But first she’s off to swim for St. Vincent’s.

Brevin Banton Brevin Banton’s vocabulary contains a few four-letter words. But, when it came to track, work wasn’t one of them. Fear was. He believed he wasn’t fast enough to be a sprinter. So he hurdled. He wasn’t bad. He finished 9th in the district last year. But, with a little work, he became one of the best in the state. In fact, last weekend he placed seventh in the 300-meter race. Brevin also hurdled to the top of the podium at the: • South Hills and South Fayette Classics • Southern Qualifier and • Baldwin Invitational. Brevin finished as the WPIAL runner-up in the 300-meter race. He added sixth in the high hurdles. Brevin excels in a number of other activities. He sings in the Pantheon Choir • performs in school musicals. • carves toys out of wood. For his Eagle Scout project, he donated them to St. Clair Hospital. Academically, he maintains a 3.5 GPA & is involved in NHS. Brevin plans to attend BYU and major in electrical engineering.

Brett Brumbaugh Simply the best! That’s Brett Brumbaugh. For no quarterback in the state comes close to his prowess. This South Fayette senior holds every record imaginable. With 11,084 yards, he is the leading passer in Pennsylvania history He also threw for a 127 career touchdowns, second best in the state Brett also holds the WPIAL single-season record for yards. He broke the mark set by his own brother, who was AOTY in 2010 With Brett at the helm the Lions roared. They were 45-2 with three undefeated conference championships. South Fayette won back-to-back district and state titles. Brett garnered every award possible: • Almanac MVP for football, twice. • All-state and all-conference honors, three times. • Observer-Reporter Athlete of the Year twice • All-State Player of the Year the past two years. Brett also lettered four years in basketball. He helped the Lions to the playoffs. For his career, he averaged 7.1 points and 5.9 rebounds. This winter, he averaged 12.4 points, 9.1 rebounds & 2.4 steals. Away from the athletic arena, Brumbaugh continued to achieve. He pulls down a 3.7 GPA in the classroom. He participates in Teen Institute, Yearbook and FBLA. Plus, he is a member of the National Honor Society. Brett will play football at Duquesne and major in business.

LAUREL CARPENTER The playmaker! At Peters Township, that was LAUREL CARPENTER. In fact, she graduates as the school’s all-time assist leader. In addition to creating goals, Laurel helped produce many wins. Laurel played in three state finals, winning two soccer banners. She also led the Indians to three more medals in WPIAL play. Peters won a district banner and two runner-up trophies. Laurel gained her share of acclaim. • Almanac MVP • All-section, three times. • All-WPIAL, twice • All-State, twice • Regional All-American. Not only has she been a four-year starter for the Indians, Laurel was a mainstay on defense for Century United & Beadling Her clubs won three state cups. Laurel makes the grade in the classroom. She maintains a 4.5 QPA. She participates in a medical mentoring program at Washington. That will help Laurel in the future. She plans to become a nurse. She will study for that degree and play soccer at WVU.

Erin Cunningham Erin Cunningham appears harmless. She’s cute. Perky. Couldn’t hurt a flea, right? Well, she’s a killer! For the Bishop Canevin volleyball team she specialized in kills. In fact, she ranks second all-time in that department and is on pace to break the school record next fall. Erin also led the Crusaders in digs. She set the single-season record & holds the career mark. Her arsenal gained Canevin and Erin acclaim. • Three WPIAL championship appearances; one title. • Two all-section honors. • Two all-state recognitions. • WPIAL Class A co-MVP. Erin also excels for Renaissance. She led her club to two nationals. In the process, she gained all-state laurels. Off the courts, Erin is fierce in classroom & in her compassion. She maintains a 4.4 GPA. She is a member of Circle of Friends and Crusaders For Life. Though a junior, Erin already has selected a career path. She plans to become an engineer.

JAKE DIXON The Gentle Giant. Outside the athletic arena, JAKE DIXON may be. But, in sports, he’s the fiercest competitor. He played football with a broken bone in his neck. He also had dislocated his elbow. Fortunately neither affected his ability to dunk a basketball or swat a volleyball. Those are Jake’s other activities and volleyball is his best That’s why we recognize him, again for the second time as MVP. Jake delivers the hits for Bethel Park. HE: • averaged 22 kills, 4.2 aces and 3 blocks per game. • captained the Hawks to back-to-back undefeated section titles. • gained All-Section and all-district acclaim. • and lastly, named Player of the Year in Class AAA. Off the courts, Jake is a: • 4.33 honors student. • member of the Principal’s Advisory Council. • home room representative. • Camp AIM volunteer, a YMCA program for special needs kids. Special assignments are in the future for Jake. He wants to join the FBI. But all that will have to wait. See, Jake’s just a junior. We anticipate seeing plenty of him next year. And, perhaps he’ll be an AOTY finalist.

CLAIRE DOUGHERTY No matter what, Claire Dougherty goes the distance. In track, she runs whatever event Mt. Lebanon needs. Without starting blocks, she owns a Top 5 time in the 200 dash. She covers the mile a shade over five minutes. But, her specialty is the 800 meters. She won the WPIAL title at that distance in record fashion. Last weekend at states, she finished fifth. Claire is also a member of WPIAL championship relays. Both the 4x400 and 4x800 set school records this spring. She led Lebo to WPIAL runner-up team titles in track & x-country. Off the track, Claire makes quick work of her studies. She maintains a 4.9 GPA. She sings in the choir and performs in the theater. Plus, she’s vice president of her class and involved in the Best Buddies and Link Leader groups, which works with special needs and incoming students. That compassion Claire will use in the future. She plans to pursue a career in medicine. Those goals will have to wait though. See Claire’s a junior. We expect to see her next year with more medals around her neck.

Ryan Dudzinski EF Hutton has nothing on Ryan Dudzinski. When he talks, people listen. And, when he swims, people talk! This Upper St. Clair senior is that impressive. In fact, Ryan already is qualified for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials. He is also an All-American, 22 times over. Plus, he set a plethora of records in his career. Ryan set the standard in the • PIAA for the 100-yard butterfly and 200-medley relay. • WPIAL for the 50 free, 100 fly, 100 back & three relays. He also smashed a pool record at the University of Pittsburgh. Ryan’s name adorns the record board at USC. He has the fastest swims in seven events. Ryan is a four-timer! • Almanac MVP • WPIAL and PIAA qualifier and placewinner. Ryan steered USC to the team runner-up title in the state in 2015. His teams were WPIAL runners-up for four seasons. Out of the water, Ryan is • an honors student with a 3.7 GPA • member of National Honor Society and Athletes Taking Action. • president of the Ethics Club • volunteer at the Outdoor Classroom and • assistant swim coach at the Valley Brook Country Club. Ryan will swim at Stanford. Where in four years or less, the world will be listening to his feats.

Paul Dunn Life isn’t fair. Paul Dunn learned this lesson early. He lost his father and namesake to a massive heart attack. Yet, Paul did not surrender to sadness. He persevered to become a champion in sports, in school, in life. In wrestling, Paul captured two section titles. He is a • team captain • WPIAL runner-up • 2-time bronze medalist at states • Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic winner • Century Club member with 133 career victories. Paul ranks third in Bethel Park school history for wins. In his classes, Paul maintains a 3.9 GPA. He writes for the school newspaper and volunteers at youth camps. Paul will wrestle at Lehigh University. He plans to major in business and become a national champion. His coach Bob Stewart predicts success for Paul. He has a bright future ahead of him, he says. “Paul has persevered through the tough times in life. Personally, I can only hope my two sons grow up to be the kind of young man Paul has become.”

Alec Ferrari A medical marvel. That’s Alec Ferrari from Chartiers-Houston. Until a blood clot stopped him, he was a three-sport athlete. A condition call Thoracic Outlet Syndrome interrupted his summer A pinched vein stopped blood flow to his heart. After a stent was inserted surgically, Alec endured 12 weeks of PT Alex recovered to play football but his baseball career was over. Last autumn, he earned all-conference honors at quarterback. He completed 68 of his 130 passing attempts for 10 touchdowns. A two-way starter, he also excelled at cornerback on defense. But on the basketball courts, Alec excelled most. He earned • Observer-Reporter basketball player of the year honors • Almanac recognition. • Co-MVP laurels from the Section 3-AA coaches. Alec • captained the Bucs to back-to-back playoff appearances • averaged 23.6 points per game • topped the 1,000-point plateau for his career. • plus shattered school records for assists and points in a game. Alex did that twice. He fired in 44 and 47 markers in wins against rival Fort Cherry. Alec is a leader off the court and field as well. He is • An honor-roll student • involved in Varsity Club and Leo Club and student government. He also works with the Light, Vision and Sound group controlling special effects during musicals and play productions. Alec will play basketball at Mount Union. He hopes to major in sports management.

Chris Gladden Look out Roger Federer! Chris Gladden is climbing the tennis ranks, too. The Canon-McMillan junior was the WPIAL runner-up this spring. He took third at last weekend’s PIAA championships. Last year, he finished fourth in the district. He is a two-time section champion, who also dabbles in doubles. Just a junior, he already is receiving interest from Penn State, William & Mary, Charleston & Santa Clara, California On the amateur circuit, Chris is ranked: • No. 1 in Pennsylvania in his age group • Top 10 in Middle States and Top 150 in the nation Chris also excels in soccer. He plays ODP and for Beadling. In school, he owns a 3.7 GPA. He belongs to the Spanish and History Clubs. He volunteers at the Pennsylvania Tennis Academy. If Chris doesn’t make it to Wimbledon, he will make a difference. He expects to explore a career in the medical field.

Matt Hoffman Brains and braun. Matt Hoffman’s got ‘em. He weighs in with a 4.7 GPA. He belongs to the prestigious Cum Laude Society. And, he will graduate with highest honors from Mt. Lebanon. While all that is impressive, he’s here because of his athletics. In football, Matt was: • All-State • All-Conference, twice as a lineman. • Almanac all-star. A three-year starter, he led Lebo to three playoff appearances. The Blue Devils were co-conference champions his junior season. After a brief sabbatical, Matt picked up a basketball again. He helped the Blue Devils win a section championship. Lebo also competed in the district and state playoffs. Matt averaged 8.3 points and 8.2 rebounds a game. Socially, Matt is a member of the Spanish club. He is a Link Leader, assisting students transitioning to high school. Plus, he is a lector in his church. Everything Matt does exhibits commitment. According to his coach Joe David, Matt displays leadership through the sacrifices he makes for the good of others. His involvement demonstrates his unselfish qualities. Matt will take all his talents to the University of Pennsylvania. He will play football and major in business.

Cary Johns A quick study. That’s Cary Johns of Mt. Lebanon. He only started diving his freshman year. But what a success story! He rewrote the record books three times. Cary reached perfection this season. He was 11-0 in dual meets. Cary also grabbed the bronze medal at the WPIAL championships. He placed 13th in the state. Last year, he finished fourth and 25th. In his younger years, Cary ran cross country. As a sophomore, he wrestled just like his granddad, Joe Lodge. The retired BP AD once served on the AOTY committee. According to his coach Tom Donati, Cary is a winner because of his “fantastic” work ethic and unselfish attitude. He understood supporting his teammates. Next year, his teammates will be those at Carlow University. Cary plans to dive there and major in physical therapy or history.

Madison Kerr Miss Congeniality. That’s got to be our first female finalist! See, Madison Kerr exudes humility and generosity. Coaches and administrators at Peters Township say: Madison is a respectful individual. She is willing to put others ahead of her and her accomplishments. Athletically, Madison has achieved every acclaim imaginable. And, she’s just a junior. In basketball, she already surpassed the 1,000-point plateau. She is a • Three-year starter and captain • Leader in points, assists, rebounds and steals. • Two-time Quad-A, all-section, all-district & all-Almanac player. In volleyball, Madison is a • Three-year letterwinner and two-year starter. • Two-time all-section and an all-WPIAL pick • Terrific 21 selection • Player of the Match six times. • Team captain • Leader in kills and aces. She ranked second in digs and blocks. Off the courts and in the classroom, Madison • maintains a 4.46 GPA. • is an officer in SADD and a school ambassador • belongs to student council and NHS She also participates in a mentorship at Washington Hospital. That medical program will serve her well in the future. See, Madison plans to pursue a career as a nurse anesthetist.

KASSIE KESNECK Kassie Kesneck exudes enthusiasm. Yes, she’s H-A-P-P-Y. Spirited, too. See, Kassie is a champion cheerleader and athlete. She cheered Chartiers-Houston to back-to-back WPIAL titles. Plus, the Bucs finished in the Top 5 in the state, twice. She also served on the Fall Festival Court. Kassie doesn’t just assist from the sidelines. She’s in there pitching and roaming the outfield for the softball team. A four-year starter, she was voted all-section each season. Kassie captained the Bucs to section titles and district wins. This season, she helped the Bucs finish runner-up in the WPIAL They qualified for the state playoffs but fell to West Branch, 5-2, in the first round of the PIAA tournament. Kassie is also an all-section performer in volleyball. Outside the athletic arena, Kesneck maintains a 4.15 QPA. She is • president of the senior class and the National Honor Society • involved in the school’s Leo Club, SADD and student government. Plus, she writes for the school newspaper and is editor of the yearbook. Kassie will attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She plans to major in secondary English and special education.

AUSTIN KITCHEN You can’t have million-dollar dreams with a minimum-wage work ethic! That’s Austin Kitchen philosophy. And, he’s working extremely hard to be a major leaguer one day. Austin certainly had a big league season this spring. He pitched Mt. Lebanon to its first undefeated section title ever. He rolled up a 6-0 record complete with 79 strikeouts in 44 innings Austin maintained a 1.43 ERA. Opponents batted .132 against him and his WHIP was .84. Austin was voted Quad-A Pitcher of the Year. When not on the mound, Austin served as Lebo’s DH. During the summer, Austin plays for the Steel City Wildcats. He helped them win two championship titles. Austin earned a scholarship to Coastal Carolina. He will major in business management. So one way or another, Austin will make his millions.

Mia Kness MIA KNESS has more in common with Jordan Spieth than youth. This Peters Township sophomore is sensational on the links, too. As a freshman, she finished 13th in the PIAA. Last fall, Mia took third. She won the western regional and finished fifth in the WPIAL. Mia led her team to runner-up honors in the district. She finished with a 76 average for the season. In 9-hole matches, Mia carded 34s or lower five times. In 18 years as coach, Brian Farrell says he never seen an athlete with a better attitude. Mia is an outstanding team player, he says. Her sportsmanship is tremendous. Mia also exhibits those qualities on the lacrosse team. But, golf is her forte. In fact, she’s been a Kings champion. She also plays on the American Junior Golf Association tour. Mia eventually will golf in college. She plans to major in marketing or business. But her real dream is the LPGA. “If I can go pro,” she says, “that would be awesome.”

Sara Komer Who says you can’t have her cake and eat it too? Not Sara Komer. This Peters Township senior found a way to indulge her passion for two sports that are played during the same season. After winning state championships in tennis, she switched courts and excelled in volleyball with equal success. She led the Indians in offensive kills and hitting percentage. She averaged 6.5 blocks, maintained an 89.6 percent service ace rate and supplied 35 defensive digs. She was named to the Terrific 21 all-star team. Sara also plays volleyball at the AAU level. She performs on the Pittsburgh Elite 18s top team. In tennis, Sara ranks in the Top 20 in middle states by USTA. She helped the Indians capture two WPIAL and PIAA team titles. She also is a two-time district and state doubles champion. Off the courts, Sara excels. She maintains a 4.55 GPA. She is an AP scholar and a member of the National Honor Society. Sara’s affinity for two sports ends this fall. She will compete in tennis at the University of Delaware. If she doesn’t join fellow grad Ali Riske on the pro tour, Sara plans to enjoy a career in broadcasting or business.

Megan Kraushaar The sweet life! Megan Kraushaar lives it! She works at the Dairy Queen. Plus, she’s a lifeguard. And, for more fun, she plays the flute in the marching band. Oh and yes, this senior is a talented two-sport athlete at Chartiers-Houston. In softball Megan is • a four-year starter • a three-time all section performer • a WPIAL champion. This spring, the Bucs finished runners-up in the district. They qualified for the PIAA tournament. In basketball Megan led the Bucs to their best season since the early 1980s. Char-Houston reached the quarterfinals in the state playoffs. In the classroom, Megan maintains a 4.1 GPA. She is involved in • National Honor Society • Westinghouse Science Honors Institute • Concert band. • Student government • SADD, • Peer Jury • Foreign Language Club. • Yearbook. • Washington County Health Center & Horses With Hope. Megan will attend the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. She hopes to become an occupational therapist.

Ethan Linderman Mr. Reliable. At Canon-McMillan, that’s Ethan Linderman In pressure-packed situations or the biggest competitions, the Big Macs could always count on him. In cross country, Ethan: • Led the Big Macs to the WPIAL runner-up title. • He posted the third-fastest time in the Mingo Classic. • Won the Washington County championship. • Finished fourth in the WPIAL finals. • Placed 32nd at the state finals. • Earned MVP honors twice for his team and for The Almanac. • Garnered All-County laurels, four times. In track, Ethan is a two-time WPIAL and PIAA qualifier. He won silver in the 3,200 in the district and finished 19th at last week’s state championships. He also helped the 4x800 relay finished fourth in the WPIAL. When Ethan isn’t running, he is very involved in: • Peer Jury • National Honor Society • Spanish Club • Dance-a-thon. He was a member of the Homecoming Court. Ethan takes his speed and his 4.3 GPA to Pitt. He will run for the Panthers and study engineering.

MARIA LOHMAN The golden girl of diving. That’s Maria Lohman. See, this Chartiers Valley senior owns three state titles. She is also a four-time WPIAL champion. Maria shattered many pool records around the district. She even etched her name on the record board at Bucknell This winter, she just missed the WPIAL mark by two points. She scored 603.5 points to win the crown. Her closest competition? Almost 200 points behind in second place. Maria is truly in a league of her own. Most recently she was named the national high school All-American Diver of the Year. She is an all-state performer. She has participated at both Senior and Junior Nationals. Maria finished in the top 16 in all her events. She is also a member of the USA Diving Junior Elite Squad. The team consists of the national’s top 55 divers. In the classroom, Maria dives into the books. She maintains a 4.0 GPA. While she has visited the U.S. Training Center, Maria likely won’t make her Olympic debut until 2020. See, she has NCAA titles to chase. Maria takes her talents to the University of North Carolina this fall. She targets a degree in business.

CHARLOTTE MADSON No excuses. That’s Charlotte Madson’s motto. Suffering with the sniffles, Charlotte lost the WPIAL title. When asked if her cold affected her play or the outcome, She responded, “sadly no.” She credited, instead, her opponent. When not under the weather, Charlotte ranks No. 7 in the state. She is a sectional champion and a bronze medalist in the PIAA. She competes national in USTA and ITS tournaments. Off the courts, Charlotte is an honors student at Upper St. Clair. She maintains a 3.8 GPA and is in the National Honor Society. Charlotte participates in the school’s mentoring program. She is a volunteers in the • Invisible Children’s Club • Big Brothers and Sisters • Kids Helping Kids • Westminster Church’s summer youth programs Charlotte hopes to play tennis in college. North Carolina is her dream school. Her potential studies include communication & creative writing.

Phil Mary Speak softly but carry a big stick wasn’t just Teddy Roosevelt’s philosophy! It’s PHILIP MARY’s motto, too. Quiet, reserved and humble, his stick is a baseball bat. Another weapon is his arm. He uses that to silence opponents on the mound & the mat. Philip is a four-year WPIAL qualifier in wrestling and a section champion. He belongs to the Century Club with 106 career wins. Philip, however, has a future in baseball. He is a three-year letterwinner and captain at Peters Township. He is also 300-plus hitter. In addition to the Indians, Philip plays AAU ball. He helped the Steel City Wildcats and Predators win WPBL titles. Outside of sports, Philip: • belongs to the National Honor Society. • is a member of the Spirit Committee and • volunteers with the youth baseball and wrestling programs in the township. According to his manager, Philip is a tremendous role model. He possesses great leadership skills. Those qualities, plus a 4.2 GPA, will serve Philip well in college. He hopes to play baseball while pursuing a degree in civil engineering.

MARIO & NICCO MASTRANGELO Peters Township soccer opponents saw double. Really. Not only did teams have difficulty telling the Mastrangelos apart, they couldn’t stop Mario and Nicco from scoring. Only their feet gave the twins away. Mario is right-footed and Nicco is left-footed. Mario planted 25 shots into the nets; Nicco, 23. Mario recorded 14 assists; Nicco 16. The two led the Indians to the WPIAL & state titles. As juniors, they led PT to section and district titles. Mario finished with 62 career goals; Nicco 58. Both gained All-Section, All-WPIAL and All-State honors. Plus, they are Almanac co-MVPs. Separated by 12 minutes at birth, the pair will stay joined at the hip They will play soccer at St. Francis University. Both plan to major in business. However, Mario prefers economics and Nicco marketing.

Matty McConnell The end of an era. That is what our next finalist represents. He actually grew up before our eyes. He was the ballboy for his father… Halftime entertainment shooting basket after basket. The cheerleader at the end of the bench rooting for the Colts. Now, it’s Matty McConnell’s turn to say goodbye. And what a farewell the Chartiers Valley senior provided. Who will ever forget his buzzer-beater at the Pete? His 2,000th career point. In basketball, Matty was singularly the best. • A two-time Almanac MVP • WPIAL scoring leader with a 30-point average • 795 point scorer during his senior season alone. • A WPIAL champion after three runner-up attempts. • A four-time section winner with three state playoff appearances. During his career, Matty won 92 games. He tied the school record for points in one game with 54 vs. BP He led the Colts in every statistical category. Scoring, rebounding, steals, assists, 3-pointers and blocked shots. His reward? Every honor imagineable: • Section Player of the Year. • All-WPIAL • All-State Plus, a plethora of scholarship offers. Matty committed to Robert Morris where he will major in sports management. Hence, it’s not really so long. Rather, it’s hello again!

Ricky Mellick The 11th man. That’s gotta be Ricky Mellick. For this Seton-La Salle senior just missed the cut as one of the Top 10 male finalists for Athlete of the Year. Since The Almanac already had a football MVP, Ricky fit nicely as one of our track and field MVPs. Here’s why: Ricky is a four-time WPIAL qualifier and four-time medalist. Despite a hamstring pull & ankle sprain, he placed 6th this spring. His times are just a shade off the records set by his father, back in his championship days. In addition to hurdles, Ricky holds two more records at Seton. He owns the top marks in long jump and ironically the shot put! No bad for a kid who has no place to practice at school! Off the track, Ricky used his strength and speed in football. He rushed for over 1,000 yards on offense. He ranked second in the state in sacks on defense. Ricky garnered All-State and All-Conference honors. In school, he owns a 4.0 GPA. He is involved in too many clubs to mention. (His own words!) Next fall, Ricky carries on a family tradition. He will play football at Duquesne and major in marketing.

Alex Minton A natural-born leader. That’s Alex Minton. And not because he is class vice president. But because he doesn’t expect you to give anymore than he does. His football coach Jeff Metheny sums up Alex best when he says. Alex is the player you want on your team. He gives you everything he has. Not only was he our hardest worker, he’ one of our finest persons. He is always there for you. He’s confident and poised. He sets the bar high for everybody around him. In short, Alex is one of the best leaders Metheny has had. In football, all Alex did was lead the Hawks. He captained the team to the playoffs. He ranked among the top rushers in Quad-A with 1,400 yards. He scored 14 TD and started at linebacker on defense. Alex earned All-Conference and All-Almanac recognition. In the spring, he excelled in track. A sprinter, he helped the 4x100 relay medal at the WPIAL finals. Alex also lettered one year in basketball. Academically, he is a highest honor roll student with a 4.1 GPA. Socially, Alex is involved in the • Principal Advisory Council for students • National Honor Society. • PACs Pals, which works with special-needs students. • SHIM, Light of Life Food Bank & Lions Club. Alex will balance football and a pre-med path at Drake University. He hopes to become a thoracic surgeon some day.

FYNN MINUTH Tune into the Olympics next summer and you may see The Almanac’s swimming MVP— Fynn Minuth. Born in Germany, he came to America two years ago when the Bayer Corporation promoted his father. Fynn won a national title in the 200-meter butterfly at age 16. At the German National World Championship Trials recently, Fynn finished fourth in the 400 IM and second in 200 IM. He also reached the consolation finals in the 200 fly. For the past two years, though, he represented Upper St. Clair. This winter, Fynn: • swam the butterfly leg on the gold-medal 200 medley relay. • he collected state silver medals in three races. • won WPIAL championships in 200 IM and both free relays. • finished as WPIAL runner-up in the 500 free. • set two district and one state record in relays. Fynn also lowered four school records & shattered six pool marks. He led USC to team runner-up honors in the district and state. Fynn garnered seven All-America honors. With his natural ability & work ethic more should be forthcoming when Fynn swims at South Carolina.

Ben Morgret The Closer. On the greens at Peters Township, that’s BEN MORGRET. When the match is on the line, Ben pulls through. Teeing off last, he fired a 76 to clinch Peters’ fifth WPIAL title. His score also enabled the Indians to shatter the district record. Ben also captained Peters to a third-place showing in the state. Individually, he took the bronze in the sectional. He placed in the Top 10 in the WPIAL and Top 15 in the PIAA. Ben is a year-round golfer. He plays on the Future Collegians World Tour. He also competes in the American Junior Golf Association. Next fall, Ben will golf at St. Francis University. He plans to get his card and play on the PGA tour some day. If not, he’ll put his business degree to use. An honors student, Ben says, “it’s good to have a back-up plan.”

Kyra Murphy The face of Canon-McMillan soccer? Has to be KYRA MURPHY! For, she leaves a print on the program larger than Big Foot. Kyra is the first Lady Mac twice named All-Regional. She is only the second C-M player named All-American. Plus, she was nominated for the Gatorade Player of the Year. Kyra also is a • two-time all-state selection • three-time all-WPIAL and all-section pick. • two-year captain. Kyra led the Lady Macs to an historic season. They finished as district and state runners-up. She tied the school record with 28 career shutouts. Last fall, she had 13 to go along with a 95 save percentage and a 0.543 goals against average. Kyra used her skills to kick for the football team. Plus, she plays for the Beadling Soccer Club. In the classroom, Kyra owns a 3.7 GPA. She participates in • student government, • mentor programs at Canon-Mac • ski club • and Youth Group at St. Mary’s Church in Cecil. She also works in the high school athletic department. Krya will play soccer at Duquesne and pursue a pharmacy degree.

Dontae Penn-Jones Though dealt a difficult hand, Dontae Penn-Jones has survived. He was raised from birth by his grandmother. After wrestling practice this season, Dontae arrived home. He discovered his grandma, his sole provider, dead. Despite his grief, he carries on says his coach Billy Evans. He always wears a smile and possesses a positive attitude. Dontae positively is making a difference. He already is a Private First Class in the National Guard. He completed his basic training last summer in Oklahoma. Dontae also works 30-plus hours a week at Mad Mex. And yet, he still pressed on with his school and athletics. In addition to wrestling, he played football and ran track. He will graduate will his class this June. He will finish his job-skill training this summer prior to college. While he wasn’t brought up in the most perfect environment or under the best circumstances, Dontae lives by the Golden Rule. He is polite, well-mannered & decent to every person he meets. Coach Evans predicts he will make a solid soldier & future citizen.

Kobe Phillippi Though named after the famed LA Laker, Kobe Phillippi leaves his mark at KO in football. In fact, he follows in the footsteps of western PA greats like: Unitas, Nameth, Marino, Montana and Kelly. Yes, Kobe excelled at quarterback for the Golden Eagles. He passed for over 3,500 yards the past two seasons. He earned All-Conference and All-Amanac honors. He lettered four years in both football and basketball. Kobe also left his mark in volleyball. In fact, he earned All-Section acclaim, two times. A setter, he also captained the team to the playoffs, twice. The Golden Eagles were ranked in the Top 10 of the WPIAL. Outside the athletic arena, Kobe also starred at KO. He owns a 3.93 GPA. He served as • vice president of his senior class. • and treasurer of his junior class. Kobe is active in: • FBLA • National Honor Society • Peer Jury • Special Olympics • and the Greentree Athletic Association. He serves as a recreation counselor. Kobe takes his talents to Pitt. He plans to major in business. He hopes to work in supply chain management.

Kelsey Potts The Energizer Bunny! That’s Kelsey Potts. See, our girls’ cross country MVP keeps going and going. Few have the stamina to stick with her. This fall, she was undefeated in dual meets. She shattered Lebo’s home course record by 40 seconds. Kelsey took 3rd in the WPIAL; 5th in the state; 8th in the regional and 17th at nationals. She was the top finisher from Pennsylvania. Weather doesn’t seem to slow Kelsey’s battery. In the winter, she’s still going strong. She placed third in the state for the mile and lowered her PRs in the four different events. This spring, she: • won the McKinney Mile at the Baldwin Invitational. • was the WPIAL runner-up in the 1,600. • and helped Lebo finish second in the WPIAL team finals. Kelsey didn’t stop there. She ran legs on two record-setting WPIAL championship relays. At last weekend’s PIAA finals, she took third in the 1,600. Her 4x800 relay finished fifth. Kelsey reserves some energy for her studies. She maintains a 4.7 GPA; writes for the school newspaper and volunteers at the Children’s Institute. She hopes to run in college and study engineering. But Kelsey is just a junior. Good news for Mt. Lebanon!

Amanada Riesmeyer The big picture. Amanada Riesmeyer gets it. According to her coaches, this Mt. Lebanon senior is willing to be a part of something bigger than herself. She prepares to compete. She plays any position that helps the team. She makes everyone around her better. Amanda certainly has made her lacrosse team the best. Lebo won a WPIAL title in 2014 & placed second in 2015. They are in the midst of a PIAA state playoff run. Despite attempts to deflect praise & attention, she attracts acclaim. Amanda is a member of the national team. She gained All-WPIAL and All-section laurels. With a 5.1 GPA, obviously she is an academic All-American. In soccer, she was a two-year starter, captain & all-section pick. Off the field, Amanada sets the bar high. She is belongs to • Cum Laude Society. • Student Council • and Link Leadership program mentoring incoming students. Amanda also volunteers with • Tops Soccer, which works with special-needs athletes, • and at the Downs Syndrome of Pittsburgh Institute. Amanda will study at the University of Michigan next fall. She will major in engineering.

Alexandra Rovers Girls with guns! Mt. Lebanon’s got ‘em. But the sharpest shooter on the range is Alexandra Rovers. She doesn’t miss when she aims her rifle at a target. Alexandra had a perfect season in section matches this winter. In fact, she dropped only one point all year. She scored 1,599 out of a possible 1,600 points. Of course, Alexandra earned team MVP honors. Better yet, she won the Dave Cramer Perfect Season Award. This is a WPIAL award in honor of the retired Lt. Col. Cramer was the rifle coach at Duquesne for 25 years. He also was a worldwide competitor. He is known as the Distinguished Smallbore Rifleman. Cramer was on the President’s 100 and Dewar teams. Perhaps some day Alexandra will join those ranks. But, not yet. She still has two years of high school remaining.

Samantha Sanders The ultimate multi-tasker. That’s our next female finalist. Samantha Sanders is three-sport athlete at Seton-La Salle. She’s participates in a plethora of extracurricular activities. Plus, she maintains a 4.62 QPA. Let’s talk sports first. Samantha captained the Rebels to the lacrosse playoffs. She runs the offense and calls the plays on the field. She’s an Academic All-American. In the fall, she runs cross country. In the winter, she swims. She is a WPIAL qualifier. Outside the athletic arena Samantha is: • President of the National Honor Society She sings with the school’s award-winning a cappella group. The Trebels competed in the Varsity Vocal Nationals. Samantha is also a member of: • Rebels For Life • Campus Ministry • Stage crew and dance committee. She volunteers at the Washington Humane Society & St. Francis of Assisi and she sings in her church choir. Samantha will attend Ohio University. She plans to major in industrial engineering and play club lacrosse.

Alexandra Stevenson Alexandra Stevenson of Bethel Park knows the mantra. If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try again. After three attempts, Lexi grabbed the gold. She won the shot put at the WPIAL finals with a personal record. Lexi also medaled in the discus with a sixth place. At the PIAA finals last week, she finished sixth in the shot put. While the gold is precious, Lexi has many medals: four in the shot put at the district level; three for discus. Lexi is a four-year letterwinner in indoor and outdoor track. She is a four-year district and state qualifier. Lexi is persistent in her extracurricular activities, too. She is a member of Ways & Means, PACs and DECA. Lexi participates in • Powder Puff Football • campus life and her youth group. Academically, she maintains a 3.8 GPA. Lexi takes her talents to Seton-Hill University. She is enrolled in the sports management program.

Kellan Stout After a 28-year reign, Kurt Angle has been dethroned. Long live Kellan Stout. He’s the wrestling king at Mt. Lebanon these days. He’s broken all of Angle’s record and set a few marks of his own. In fact, he’s the only two-time Almanac AOTY finalist from Lebo. Kellan’s also The Almanac’s Most Valuable Grappler. Here are a few reasons why: • All-American • PIAA champion with a perfect 38-0 record • All-time winningest Lebo grappler with a 138-18 career mark • Three-time state qualifier and two-time placewinner • Four-time WPIAL place-winner, including first this winter • Four-time section place-winner • Three-times section champion • Two-time Powerade finalist, winning the title this winter. Among his Lebo program milestone achievements are: • first to reach the century mark for victories. • first freshman to place at the WPIAL championships • first to place in four district championships. • first sophomore to qualify for the state finals • first state champion since Angle won in 1987. Kellan excels off the mats, too. He is an academic All-American. He was selected three times to the PWCA state all-academic team. Kellan takes his 3.9 GPA to Penn State University. He will wrestle for the Nittany Lions and study business.

Austin Tonkovich Our MVP for hockey could not attend tonight’s festivities. For good reason, he’s playing in tournament in Michigan. It could determine his future. He will play junior hockey in New Jersey next year. He hopes to eventually gain a scholarship & study business. At Canon-McMillan, Austin’s business was scoring goals. He led the Big Macs to the Penguins Cup & a state runner-up title.

Jared Walker Here’s all you need to know about Jared Walker. He may be the most decorated athlete in South Fayette history. Let’s look at JJ’s wrestling achievements first. • School record holder with 152 career victories. • Three-time PIAA medalist, bronze as a senior, silver as a junior. • Ranked seventh at 170 pounds at Flo Nationals. • Four-time WPIAL champion, one of only 25 in league history. • Four-time regional medalist, including gold this winter. • Three-time sectional winner. • Four-year letter winner • Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic participant. • Two-time Almanac all-star. Now his football accomplishments. • Two-time WPIAL and state champion. • Leading tackler on defense two years in a row. • Two-time Almanac and All-Conference performer. • Four-year letter winner. JJ also lettered in track and baseball. Plus, he’s a two-time Almanac Athlete of the Year finalist. JJ will wrestle at Kent State and major in geology.

LAUREN WALLER Wisdom doesn’t necessary come with age. Knowledge comes from listening and learning. Just ask Lauren Waller from Canon-McMillan. For according to her coach Justin White, Lauren values opinions of peers and the experience of her elders. She displays a genuinely rare kind of humble confidence. Well, that’s because Lauren is the best. She reached the pinnacle of girls’ golf this fall. She finished tied for first in the state championships. However, she saw the gold slip away during a 1-hole playoff. On the local links, Lauren dominated. She won back-to-back WPIAL titles. That makes three for her career. She won as a freshman for Shady Side Academy. Lauren is a two-time western regional champion and a three-time Almanac MVP. Off the greens, Waller aces her classes. Her unweighted GPA is 3.8. She is a member of the National and Latin Honor Societies. Lauren will golf at Penn State University. She hopes to play on the LPGA tour before she using her degree. Eventually, Lauren plans to become a doctor or nurse anesthetist.

Cassidy Walsh Look up champion in the dictionary and Cassidy Walsh’s name may appear. For all this Seton-La Salle senior does is win. In her basketball career, she has claimed 11 championships. In grade school, she was 151-2 with 4 district & 2 state banners. In high school, she owns three WPIAL trophies & two state titles. Her 107 wins also include four section plaques. Cassidy earned every distinction: • All-State, twice • All-section, four times • Almanac Elite Eleven twice and • Almanac MVP She also surpassed 1,000 point for her career. Cassidy competes extensively in the AAU system. This exposure against the nation’s best players gained her the attention of many college recruiters. But she will stay right here at home. Cassidy will play for Pitt and major in nursing. Off the courts, she diplomatically demonstrates that compassion She is: • vice president of her class • member of student council, Environmental Club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes • and a Junior Achievement volunteer. Cassidy gains the highest praise from coaches. They acknowledge her greatness as a player. “But better yet, they say, Cassidy is just as great a person.”

Brian Ward Mt. Lebanon is the powerhouse in boys’ lacrosse. And Brian Ward is the reason why. Just a junior, he already has more than 100 career goals. This spring, he tallied 48 during the regular season alone. Brian captained Lebo to three WPIAL finals with two titles, including last week’s dramatic overtime win vs. NA, 9-8. The Blue Devils also qualified for the PIAA tournament. Ward has earned praise from many coaches They describe him as astounding, amazing, fun to watch. Brian has the awards to proof those statements. • All-Section • All-WPIAL. • All-American • National team member • Ivy League recruit. In the classroom, Brian is equally phenomenal. • 4.5 QPA. • National Honor Society. • Link Leader. In 2016, Brian will play at Yale. He plans to major in economics or finance.

LAUREN ZOLA Softball sponsors showcases called Queen of Diamonds. And, in this region, LAUREN ZOLA is royalty. She is the Princess of Pitch. Lauren led the WPIAL in strikeouts this spring. She also hurled Seton-La Salle to a third undefeated section banner The Rebels finished third/fourth in the WPIAL. They begin their quest for a PIAA title this week. For her career, Lauren boasts • more than 55 victories and over 718 strikeouts with a 1.31 ERA. Lauren has gone from Almanac Rookie of the Year to MVP. In addition to the Diamond Dozen, Lauren is a • Midwest All-Sanctioned World Series MVP & Hitter Award • Queen of Diamonds Showcase MVP and • member of the Team PA Cyclones AAU squad. Off the diamond, Lauren sparkles, too. She is a: • National Honor Society student with a 3.9 GPA • Cheerleader • AVTV broadcaster. • SADD • Fellowship of Christian Athletes • Yearbook • and Rebels For Life member Lauren takes her game to IUP where she will dazzle ‘em on the diamond and in hospitality management.