Sports

Bill Arsenault

Former Meyers standout Joe Rovelli improved his season record to 22-3 with the Hofstra University wrestling team, posting a 14-3 major decision in the 197-pound match against Lehigh on Saturday. The win took place during Hofstra’s 25-11 victory against the Mountain Hawks.

Rovelli, who is ranked eighth in the nation, improved his career record to 105-32.

“Joe is really doing great and we’re hoping he continues this type of wrestling in March,” coach Tom Shifflet said. “He has really worked on his feet and getting the first takedown. He is obviously very tough on top, so we are trying to get him in that position as much as possible.”

Rovelli has had a few setbacks with minor injuries, but he’s healthy now, according to Shifflet.

The coach said Rovelli has an advantage because he’s being helped by two-time All-American Chris Weidman.

“Chris wrestled most of the guys Joe faces, so he knows what type of strategy to bring to the mat,” Shifflet said. “I’m sure Joe is happy to have him in his corner.”

Freshman Justin Accordino (Coughlin) is also on the squad. He has a 13-8 record at 141 pounds, but is being redshirted and competes only in open tournaments.

“Justin is really focused and using his redshirt year to make a smooth transition into college wrestling,” Shifflet said. “He’s also been a lot of help to the other guys that are wrestling at his weight. He’s a real competitor in the wrestling room, which is great to have.”

Ex-Argent set for ACC meet

Boston College junior Caroline Byron is ready for the Atlantic Coast Conference women’s swim championships, which will be held Feb. 20-23 in Atlanta.

The Bishop Hoban product prepped for the league meet by winning the 50 (24.66), 100 (53.81) and 200 (1:56.50) freestyle races in Saturday’s 157-143 victory over the University of Rhode Island.

The effort capped off a busy schedule and showed how important Byron is to the Eagles’ swim program.

“We had three meets in eight days,” coach Tom Groden said. “In a two-day meet at Maine, Caroline competed in a variety of events and swam and placed well in all of them.”

In a meet against Boston University, Caroline captured the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle races and anchored the winning 200 freestyle relay team. But the Eagles suffered a two-point loss, 151-149, when the other 200 freestyle relay team finished third.

“I’ve never had a swimmer in my 35 years here at BC who was more aware of her opponents during a race,” Groden said. “You can see her watch who her competition is and react to them. She combines this with being able to bring her races to a higher level. She is the kind of swimmer that I love to have in my program.”

PA grad gets key mat win

Junior John Laboranti (Pittston Area) came up with a big effort in a key match for the Penn State wrestling team Saturday in front of more than 4,000 fans at Rec Hall.

Laboranti recorded a 6-4 victory against Chad Breske in the heavyweight class as the No. 10-ranked Nittany Lions got by No. 6 Michigan, 20-14, in a Big Ten meet. Penn State led 17-14 and the match was in the balance when Laboranti took the mat.

Laboranti is ranked 18th in the nation and has a 19-6 record. The victories are second-best on the squad. One of the losses was a 5-2 setback to Northwestern’s Dustin Fox, the No. 1-ranked heavyweight in the country.

“John wrestled a smart, tactical match against Fox, but he came up a little short,” coach Troy Sunderland said. “Then he had a disappointing match against Illinois (a 3-1 loss).”

But Laboranti came back with his big effort against Michigan as the Nittany Lions improved to 11-5 overall and 3-3 in the Big Ten. Penn State hosts Michigan State on Friday at Rec Hall.

“John has the ability to be a top heavyweight for us if he believes in himself and will follow through wrestling up to his potential,” Sunderland said.

Ex-Cougar a solid swimmer

Junior Christine Perkins (Hazleton Area) competes in the 200 and 500 freestyle, the 100 backstroke, the 100 breaststroke and with the 200 medley relay team for the Penn State-Altoona women’s swim team.

“Christine has done well,” coach Nanette Cummings said. “She is willing to move around in different events and do what is needed to pick up points for the team.”

This is Perkins’ first season with the team, but she’s been solid in and out of the pool.

“Christine is a great leader,” Cummings said. “She has a great team spirit and keeps things upbeat. She is a real team player and we’re looking forward to her swimming with us again next season.”

College gymnast from W-B

Junior Penelope Bohunko of Wilkes-Barre is a member of the Springfield College women’s gymnastics team. She has been competing on the balance beam for the Pride this season.

“Penelope has had consistent, high-quality performances so far,” coach Cheryl Raymond said. “She shows a lot of control on the beam with two high-level tumbling skills and some difficult combinations. We are counting on her scores to improve gradually as the season progresses.”

The coach is hoping to get Bohunko into the vaulting lineup, as well.

“She suffered a season-ending hand fracture on vault last season and it’s taken her some time to return to competitive form,” Raymond said. “But she’s working toward that return and you may see her in the lineup soon.”

Ex-Hawk diving for titles

Sophomore Desiree Finley (Hanover Area) will be shooting for titles in the 1- and 3-meter dives when she and her Bethany College (W.Va.) women’s swim team compete in the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference Championships this weekend in Grove City.

“Desiree is listed first in the 1-meter and second in the 3-meter going into the championships,” coach John McGowan said. “She will be in a tight race with two other divers.”

Finley prepped for the league meet by capturing both dives in a 153-123 loss to Chatham. She got a late start this season because she also runs cross country for the Bison.

“Desiree has competed in eight meets and has four firsts and two seconds in the 1-meter and two firsts and three seconds in the 3-meter,” McGowan said. “She didn’t dive in one meet because of an injury and didn’t compete in the 3-meter in one meet due to the lack of 3-meter facilities.”

Dallas grad nears 1,000

Senior Jackie Hardwick (Dallas) needs only 61 points to reach the 1,000-point mark for her career as a member of the Albright College women’s basketball team.

The 5-foot-9 forward had 12 points and seven rebounds in a 65-52 loss to Messiah, and eight points and seven rebounds in a 73-61 victory against Lebanon Valley last week. Hardwick is averaging 9.4 points a game (third on the team) and leads the Lady Lions in rebounding (7.2). She also has 22 steals, 22 assists and 11 blocked shots.

Albright has four regular-season games remaining. The Lady Lions have a 17-4 overall record and a 5-1 mark in the Commonwealth Conference.

“Jackie is playing great,” coach Janice Luck said. “She not only leads our team but the conference as well in rebounding. She is our leader on the court and got us to where we are today.”

In addition to the scoring milestone, Hardwick figures to finish in the top three all-time for Albright in rebounding.

Freshman Katie Zehner (Hazleton Area) is also a member of the team. She’s seen action in seven games and is averaging 1.4 points per game.

“Katie is learning the ropes,” Luck said. “She is working at both guard and small forward and that will make her more versatile in the years to come.”