PD Social

By Jack Smiles jsmiles@psdispatch.com
Times Leader Staff Writer

The 2008-09 high school sports year started in August on the golf course and ended in June on the baseball diamond. In between over 300 student athletes at Pittston Area and Wyoming Area high schools played in over 700 events.

click image to enlarge

Top, Allie Scalzo, getting a hug from Megan Williams won the Smiley for the best outgoing sports career for a Wyoming Area girl. She played and captained the soccer and basketball teams. Right, Cody Roccograndi reached a milestone at PA with his 100th wrestling win.

click image to enlarge

Top, Allie Scalzo, getting a hug from Megan Williams won the Smiley for the best outgoing sports career for a Wyoming Area girl. She played and captained the soccer and basketball teams. Right, Cody Roccograndi reached a milestone at PA with his 100th wrestling win.

Additional Photos Below

Select images available for purchase in the
Times Leader Photo Store

There were lots of winners and though there were many lost games, there were no losers. Student-athletes who juggle academics, sports, family life, and in many cases even jobs, are all winners.

Below is a breakdown of some of the accomplishments of the local Wyoming Area and Pittston Area teams and players and the unofficial annual Smileys.

Wyoming Valley Conference Division championship teams

Pittston Area baseball, Division I East

Wyoming Area swimming and diving, Division III

Wyoming Area boys track and field, Division II

Tournament Championship, team

Pittston Area boys basketball, Badger Marseco Tournament

Wyoming Area Boys Basketball, Holiday Hoops Tournament

Undefeated regular seasons

Wyoming Area boys track and field, Division II

District 2 champions, individuals

Vicky Petrosky, Wyoming Area golf

Chris Gugliotti, Pittston Area wrestling, 140

Cody Roccograndi, Pittston Area wrestling, 135

Nate Bowden, Wyoming Area track and field, long jump

MVP Trophy winners

Sam Parente, Pittston Area, Falcone MVP Trophy, Pittston Area-Wyoming Area football game.

Joe Dorbad, Pittston Area, Ashby MVP Trophy, Pittston Area-Wyoming Area baseball game.

Team Trophy winners

Pittston Area football, Kiwanis Trophy

Wyoming Area ice hockey, Blue n Gold Skate

Pittston Area JV ice hockey, Blue n Gold Stick

School Trophy Winners

Pittston Area, The Bridge

Sunday Dispatch Student-Athletes

Pittston Area: Carmen LoPresto and Ashley Mundenar

Wyoming Area: James Bresnahan and Rachel Murphy

Milestones:

Cody Roccograndi, Pittston Area wrestling, 100 wins

Matt Zera, Pittston Area basketball, 1000 points

Bernard Edmunds, Wyoming Area basketball, 1000 points

The Smileys Kings and Queens

(Players of the Year)

Pittston Area: Carmen LoPresto, baseball and Lauren Smicherko, basketball

Wyoming Area: Nate Bowden, track and field and Vicky Petrosky, golf

Jack and Jill

(Most versatile)

Pittston Area: Paul Gattuso, football kicker, receiver, and defense; and baseball and Alyssa Pourmonir, volleyball, swimming and soccer.

Wyoming Area: Nate Bowden – football, basketball, track and field and Kourtney Schwerdtman field hockey, basketball and soccer

Rookies of the year

(Best freshman on varsity)

Pittston Area: Brandon Matthews, golf and Michelle Fernando, swimming

Wyoming Area: Matt Kintz, football and Sara Radzwilka, track and field

Adult inspiration

(Coaches of the year)

Pittston Area

Boys teams: Len Benfante, golf

Girls teams: Amy Hazlet, swimming

Wyoming Area

Boys teams: John Ratajczak, wrestling

Girls teams: Maureen Shovlin, swimming

Smells like teen spirit

(Best school spirit)

Wyoming Area: Andy Kudasik and Marlena Mozal

Pittston Area: Danielle McGlynn and Dan Irvin

Get your motor running

(Best hustlers)

Wyoming Area: Sam Miller and Aidan Marich

Pittston Area: Maureen Suchecki and Matt Kobeski

Shut up and play

(Best quiet leadership by example)

Pittston Area: Joe Ardo and Ashley Mundenar

Wyoming Area: Nicole Buckman and P.J. Adonizio

Dog bites man

(Stories of the year)

Sophomore girl, Katie Scalzo, wins starting place kicking position for Wyoming Area football

Wyoming Area-Pittston Area swim teams swim-off for Division III title

Can’t believe it’s over

(Best outgoing careers)

Wyoming Area: Allie Scalzo and Bernard Edmunds

Pittston Area: Desiree Spindler and Sam Parente

Not for the glory

(Best teammates)

Pittston Area: Megan Lokuta and Broc Hazlet

Wyoming Area: Lauren LaNunziata and A.J. Hiedex

Defeated not beaten

(Never gave up)

Pittston Area: Tanya Lieback and Carl Stravinski

Wyoming Area: Elyse Laneski and Joe Gates