The annual All-Sports Senior recognition Night was held at the Tyrone Area Senior High School cafeteria on Friday evening. Special Recognition was given to the senior members of the varsity athletic teams and cheerleaders.
Our senior boys and girls have spent the last six years of their lives at Tyrone Area Middle/High School and have given of themselves on the sports fields and gymnasiums as well as in the classroom. They have strived to do their best in both areas and many have achieved excellence in both.
Some have been in the headlines when the Eagles have triumphed over foes in league and district championships or at even higher stages of competition. Some have cleared the way or made it possible for others to get the headlines. Still others have performed in relative anonymity or have made their presence know only in practice or junior varsity games or meets. All have given an extraordinary amount of sweat and toil and tears. All have suffered bumps and bruises and some far more serious injuries. The senior class of Tyrone Area High School has given coaches, parents and fans a tremendous dose of Eagle pride. Each has contributed in his or her own individual manner. Each is more than worthy of being honored for their skill and hard work and service to Tyrone.
That is the major purpose of the Tyrone Area High School All-Sports Senior Recognition Night. After watching and being proud of all they have done, this is our chance to return the favor, to show the dedicated scholar/athletes that their endeavor, no matter how large or small, has been noticed and greatly appreciated by the entire community of Tyrone.
Senior watch awards were given to all seniors who participated for three years in a varsity sport and lettered in at least one year.
The Wilson Award, presented to the outstanding male athlete was given to Thadd Westley. The senior 135-pounder broke two-time state wrestling champion Bruce Wallace’s career mark at Tyrone for wins, which had stood for 21 years. Westley was a two-time district champ and Southwest Regional champion who finished second in the state tournament in 2004, and finishes his wrestling career with a 127-31 mark. Thadd has been called “the hardest worker in the practice room by wrestling coach Blair Packer and a true team leader,” who has led or been among the team leaders in just about every category.
“It was incalcuble to measure the worth Thadd was to this program,” said Packer. “ When you want to set a standard, to set something up to shoot for, well this is Thadd. What he has done in terms of hard work, dedication, loyalty, determination, desire, overcoming obstacles with what he has gone through this year and through the years, he is just the epitomy of what you would want any scholar athlete to be.”
Thadd shares with Justin Clark, the Tony and Virginia Maisano Scholarship Award, two $100 scholarships to senior athletes who will further their education at a post-secondary level and who fostered the most team spirit and leadership among wrestlers. Westley also was selected to receive the Kimberling Award for the Outstanding senior wrestler.
Westley also was selected to receive the Scott Strong Memorial Golf Award, presented to the outstanding senior golf participant who demonstrates perseverance, dedication and outstanding character. Westley was one of three Tyrone golfers who won the District team title for the first time in the history of the Eagles golf program in 2004, and just missed qualifying for the PIAA state golf tournament.
The Levine Award, presented to the outstanding female athlete in the senior class was awarded to Stephanie Catich. Stephanie participates in girls volleyball in the fall and softball in the spring.
As the shortstop on the softball team and a four-year starter, Stephanie is also the recipient of the Booster Club Award given to the outstanding senior girls’ softball player.
“Stephanie is always upbeat, because of her positive attitude, never putting a teammate down,” said Tyrone softball coach Lois loncher. “she pulls us up, She never degrades us. That is what she brings us and that is something that is rare. That attitude is worth 10 hits.”
Justin Clark is one of just four Tyrone seniors who have earned the Tri-Athlete Award, given to seniors who have lettered in three varsity sports in one year, anytime during their career.
“Justin is one of those unsung heroes who get in the shadow of others,” said Packer. “But he also worked hard. He has prepared and that’s what we try to teach in wrestling. This is life and preparation is the name of the game. Justin was a success in his own right. Had he not held off his kid, we would not have won team districts and gone on to states.
These Tri-Athlete Awards are made possible through the Tyrone Monogram Club. Recipients for 2004 are Clark-football, wrestling, track and field; Nick Cushion-basketball, baseball, golf; Max Soellner-football, wrestling, baseball and Tom Crowl-football, wrestling and track and field.
Nick Cushion was presented with the Alumni Award which is given to the outstanding senior boys basketball player.
The David J. Kirk Award presented to the outstanding senior football player was presented to Max Soellner. Switching to tight end for his senior season, Soellner led the team in catches with 17 for 182 yards and four touchdowns. On defense, Max totaled 13 sacks to lead a Tyrone defense that held opponents to just 74 yards rushing and 158 yards total offense per game. Soellner was named to the Second Team AP All-State Team for his efforts on defense.
Tom Crowl has been awarded the Tom Templeton Outstanding Athlete Scholarship Award which is presented to a graduating senior who has been accepted at a four-year college. The applicant should have participated in the varsity football or boys/girls basketball programs both junior and senior years. The award winner must also demonstrate outstanding character, scholarship and leadership abilities while exhibiting and spreading team spirit in a varsity athletic program.
“Tommy has been a leader, a role model,” explained Athletic Diredtor and head track coach Tony Yaniello. “On the track, he was something all the kids looked up to. It’s hard for the other kids to take it easy in practice when they see Tommy busting up the hill and wanting to do more. He’s not a yeller or screamer, he leads by example.”
Crowl was also presented the Albert “Teet” Snyder Memorial Football Scholarship award given annually to a graduating senior of the TAHS football team, who has excelled both athletically and academically, is of a sound moral character and exemplifies what a coach looks for in a true “team player”.
Crowl, a two-way All-Big 8 All-Star, has been selected to play in the Fourth Annual East West All-Star Game at Mansion Park on June 6, 2004. Crowl started slowly on offense in 2004, but ended up with 16 catches for 371 yards and five touchdowns in an 11-2 district championship season for the Eagles. Those totals for Tommy had him leading the team in receiving yardage and TDs and trailing Max Soellner by one for the top spot in total catches.
A standout sprinter/jumper, Crowl was also selected to receive the Mike Hample Family Track and Field Award presented to the outstanding boy in track. Crowl has been a consistent winner and place winner in the 100, 400 meter running events anchors the 400 relay, and the long jump. Tommy recently broke the school record in the 400 meter dash, eclipsing the mark set by Marcus Owens in 1997.
Evan Stover was presented the DelGrosso TAHS Track and Field Award presented to the outstanding boy in field events. Evan has been a consistent winner and place winner in the pole vault. Evan set a new school record with a vault of 13-1 1/2 , breaking the mark Guy Fiore set in 2000.
“Even is a coach on the field,” said Yaniello. “He helps with the younger kids learning how to pole vault. He works with the young kids better than I did. To break a school record in the pole vault is quite a tribute to his work ethic.”
The DelGrosso TAHS Track and Field Award for the outstanding girl in track events went to Erin Langenbacher and the DelGrosso TAHS Track and Filed Award for the outstanding girl in field events was presented to Adeena Harbst.
The Harold (Hank) Beringer Memorial Award presented to the outstanding senior boy and girl in cross country went to Jim Gehret and Erin Langenbacher.
“Erin would run the 1600 and 3200 in every track meet,” said Yaniello of Langenbacher who was a distance runner on the track as well as cross country. “She would never complain. She would smile, talk to you afterwards, like she didn’t even run. That was amazing to me that she was able to do that. She was able to show by example that she worked hard and even though she didn’t win a district championship, or conference championship, she gave to the best of her ability.”
The Bilo Award for the outstanding senior girl basketball player went to Kylie Wallace.
“It really shows the kind of kid that she is,” explained girls’ basketball coach Jim Swaney. “To be a senior with as young a team as we were this year we really needed for her to be a very mature leader and she certainly did that all year long, starting as far back as last June. She was a real positive influence.
The James (Bud) Anderson Memorial Award presented to the senior girl for outstanding but unrecognized contributuin to the TAHS athletic program went to Jeri Harper. Harper plays on the girls volleyball team in the fall and participates on the the girls’ swim team during the winter months.
The James (Bud) Anderson Award presented to the senior boy for outstanding but unrecognized contribution to the TAHS athletic program was presented to Jason Wilson. Jason was a wide receiver/defensive back on the football team in the fall and an outfielder on the baseball team in the spring. Wilson was a Second Team Defensive selection on the Big 8 All-Conference squad and was picked for the All-Pennsylvania Football News Academic Team. In limited time at bat as an outfielder on the Eagles baseball team, Jason is currently batting .500.
Jason Wilson was also presented the Ellenberger Scholarship Award that is given to a member of the senior class who has been accepted at a post secondary school. Selection qualifications include: academic achievement, participatio in extracurricular activities, number of years on the football team, sportsmanship and personality.
The Roberto Clemente Award, presented in memory of Scott Strong to an outstanding senior baseball player went to Barry Gummo. Leading the Eagles’ baseball team with 20 hits and a .476 batting average, Gummo also has totaled seven doubles, eight RBI and 19 runs scored. On the mound, Barry is 3-3 to lead the team in wins and has 23 strikeouts and 17 walks in 35 innings on the mound.
“I have coached Barry since 10th grade,”said Baseball coach Tom Coleman. “He really develpoed into a very mature and very good starter for us. He worked hard his sophomore and junior years. His senior year he really rose to the poccasion and became a real team leader for us. Barry led in a lot of offensive and pitching categories. He worked hard and he made a diffrence this year.”
The Dr. Norman Miller Memorial Swimming Awards were presented to Jeri Harper and Ted Feller.
The Tennis Award was presented to Emily Fitzgerald by her father and coach the Rev. Charles Fitzgerald
The George Curry Unsung Hero Award, sponsored by the Monogram Club to an athlete who possessed a winning attitude, dedication at practice, loyalt to his team-mates and respect toward his coaches, was presented to Chad Barto.
“Chad Barto is one of those special kids that we were really proud to have on the team,” said Coach Franco. “He loved being part of Tyrone football. it was one of the biggest thrills of his life. He was a true team member. The kids had a fond affection for Chad over the last three years. I think that really helped Chad. Chad was a really important part of our football team. He was one of those kids who was there for everything and would do anything he could to help. We’re really happy that he could get so much out of it. We really thing it helped his self-esteem and in school. We think it will help him in whatever he does in the future. We were just proud and pleased to have him on the football team the last three years.”
Sara Mease was presented the Volleyball Booster Award as the outstanding senior girls volleyball player.
“Sara worked hard and wa dedicated to bettering herself and her teammates,” said Dave Eckberg, Tyrone volleyball coach. “She was a leader the other girls looked up to.”
A total of 12 seniors received the Scholar/Athlete Awards. To be reconized as a student/athlete, each individual must have a 3.75 grade point average, carry at least five credits thier senior year, lett in a sport, have recommendations from all their teachers and their coaches and have a record free of disciplinary action. The following athletes have qualified to receive the award: Stephanie Catich, Dan Domenick, Emily Fitzgerald, Addeena Harbst, Sara Mease, Tyler Rickards, William Schreckengost, Evan SAtover, Kylie Wallace, Thadd Westley, Matt Wheland and Jason Wilson.
