A triathlete emerges from Harveys Lake after the swimming portion of the Wilkes-Barre Triathlon in 1995.
Times Leader file photo
Click here to subscribe today or Login.
A missed flight led to a victory in 1995.
Jeff Devin, of West Chester, was scheduled to fly to Cleveland to participate in the Cleveland Triathlon. But when the plane left without him, he headed to the Wilkes-Barre Triathlon and won.
Devin completed the course that involved swimming, biking and running in 1:55.50. He pocketed $2,500 for the win, about half of the purse when the event drew numerous professionals.
Only nine male pros and 10 female pros showed up. The triathlon was competing with professional events in Cleveland and Idaho on the same day.
Paula Newby-Fraser won the women’s division in 2:13.38.
Nick Radkewich was second overall.
David Drouse, of Lake Ariel, was the top local finisher with a time of 2:12.52. Tracey Polliard, of Wilkes-Barre, was the top local female with a time of 2:29.24.
1951
Claude Carter, of Laceyville, asked local fishermen to oppose the new law on pickerel.
Starting Sept. 1, pickerel had to be 15 inches in order to be kept. The size minimum was formerly 12 inches.
Carter sent a letter to CA French, executive director of the Fish Commission, voicing his opposition to the new size requirement.
1951
The West Pittston School Board awarded contracts for renovations to the football field. The board was seeking to remove the wooden fence on three sides of the complex and replace it with a wire fence. It also wanted the cinder block wall running along Atlantic Avenue extended.
Wilkes-Barre Iron & Wire Works Company was awarded the contract for the fence removal and replacement at a total of $6,833. Aston Brothers, of Wilkes-Barre, was the low bidder for the cinder block wall extension at $2,561.50.
The stadium is still in use as the home of Wyoming Area’s football team.
1957
Rowland “Mike” Metcalf was named the new football coach at Hanover High School during a special meeting of the Hanover Township School Board.
Metcalf replaced Ed Halicki, who stepped down when his five-year contract expired. Halicki also coached Hanover from 1939-48.
Metcalf didn’t have much time to prepare as practice was scheduled to start in five days.
1976
Over 90 players lined up for physicals for the Wyoming Valley West football team at the stadium in Kingston.
Preseason practice was scheduled to start in three days for all teams. Three schools had new coaches for 1976 – JP Meck at Coughlin, Paul Marranca at Wyoming Area and Henry Moriarity at Bishop Hoban.
1993
Motorcyclist Andre Matterson was killed at Pocono International Raceway during practice for the Western Eastern Road Racers Association National Championship.
Matterson, 29 of Massapequa, N.Y., was among six cyclists involved in a crash in the tunnel turn. Another racer was airlifted to Wyoming Valley Geisinger Hospital. The other were either treated and released at the track’s treatment center or at Pocono Medical Center.