school yard stories

Friday, April 23, 2010

More than a comeback

In the summer between his freshman and sophomore year of high school, Nate Winters lost his left leg and part of his right in a terrible boating accident. After losing 80 percent of his blood and nine surgeries, he's back on the mound, pitching for Winter Park High School in Florida.

Winters, now a junior, may have limped on the field ,but his fastball clocked 80, and he allowed only one hit and one unearned run in his April 12 comeback.

Read his inspiring story here:
http://www.fanhouse.com/2010/04/13/florida-h-s-pitcher-overcomes-loss-of-leg-to-start-again/?ncid=txtlnkusspor00000002

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Bball playoffs continue

State quarterfinals schedule for this weekend:

Boys AA
North Catholic vs. South Fayette
1 p.m., March 20, at Chartiers Valley HS

Boys AAA
Neumann-Goretti vs. Carroll
7 p.m., March 19, at Widener

Boys AAAA
Roman Catholic vs. Plymouth-Whitemarsh
4 p.m., March 20, at Villanova

Girls AA
Villa Maria vs. Allentown Catholic
2:30, March 20, at Reading HS

Girls AAA
Carroll vs. Wood
2:30, March 20, at Villanova

Girls AAAA
Ryan vs. Council Rock
7:30, March 19, at Norristown HS

Thursday, February 25, 2010

THON 2010 raises $7,838,054!

This year, Penn State's annual dance marathon (THON) broke last year's record by $347,000, raising $7,838,054 for kids with cancer. THON, the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, has raised over $61 million since it began in 1973 for the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Children's Hospital.

The Four Diamonds Fund was established by Charles and Irma Millard after the death of their son, Christopher, who was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 11. It is named after a story that Christopher wrote shortly before he lost his battle with cancer three years later. In Chris’ story, a knight must find the four diamonds of Courage, Wisdom, Honesty and Strength in order to be released from captivity by an evil sorceress. The four diamonds are symbolic of the traits Chris believed were necessary to overcome cancer.

Most Penn State students are involved with THON in one way or another; and considering there are over 40,000 of them, that's a lot. Whether they are one of the 700+ dancers who go 46 hours with no sitting or sleeping, or volunteer for one of the dozen or so committees that plan the event throughout the year, these college kids push their school work and social lives aside for a greater cause.

Because of the students' hard work and dedication, the Four Diamonds Fund is able to offset the cost of treatment that a family’s insurance won’t cover, as well as provide for other expenses that may affect the welfare of the child. It also supports the medical team that cares for the children and funds pediatric cancer research through start-up grants and the Four Diamonds Pediatric Cancer Research Institute.

Words really can't do THON justice. A fundraiser is a severe understatement. Put simply, as this year's theme suggests, "love belongs here." For The Kids.

For a taste of THON, view the videos posted here: www.youtube.com/user/thontech

For more information about THON, visit thon.org.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Basketball season is almost over!

The PCL heats up this weekend as the girls and boys play in the quarterfinals.
Here's the schedule:

Tonight, Feb. 19
Girls
St. Hubert @ Wood, 7 p.m.
Prendie @ Ryan, 7 p.m.
Dougherty @ O'Hara, 7 p.m.

Boys
Saturday, Feb. 20
Wood vs. Carroll @ Ryan, noon
Neumann-Goretti vs. Dougherty @ Carroll, 3 p.m.
La Salle vs. North @ Ryan, 4 p.m.
Roman vs. St. Joe's Prep @ Carroll, 7 p.m.

Also, here's this season's boys All-Catholic list:

COACH OF THE YEAR: Joe Dempsey, La Salle.

RED DIVISION
FIRST TEAM

Rakeem Brookins, MVP, Roman
Troy Hockaday, La Salle
Eddie Mitchell, La Salle
Mike Terry, North
Jaleel Mack, North
Joe Nardi, SJ Prep

SECOND TEAM
Jamal Melvin, Bonner
Reggie Charles, Judge
Gene Williams, SJ Prep
Kevin Regan, Roman
Woody Redding, North

THIRD TEAM
Keefer Francis, Bonner
Eric Fleming, Ryan
Scott Slade, Bonner
Bob Makor, North
Seamus Radtke, Judge

BLUE DIVISION
FIRST TEAM
Tony Chennault, MVP, N-G
Juan'ya Green, Carroll
Joe Getz, Wood
Danny Stewart, N-G
Ike Robinson, C-E
Tyreek Duren, N-G .
*Fran Dougherty Wood (missed league play with injury)

SECOND TEAM
DJ Irving, Carroll
Aquil Younger, West
Ben Mingledough Carroll
Brandyn Wims, Dougherty
Mustafaa Jones, N-G

THIRD TEAM
Brian O'Grady, Wood
Mike Barr, Lansdale
Lamin Fulton, N-G
Brandon Brown, Dougherty
Doug Macrone, Wood

Friday, January 8, 2010

More '09 All-Catholics

Philadelphia Catholic League All-Catholics

Girls Soccer
First Team
Samantha Greenfield, Wood
Megan Poiesz, Lansdale Catholic
Christine Verrelle, Wood
Courtney Neimiec, Little Flower
Amanda Johnson, Ryan
Rachel Kurtz, Conwell-Egan
Melissa Chapman, Lansdale Catholic
Ashley DiOrio, St. Hubert
Kerri McClay, Wood
Hunter Filippo, Wood
Jenna Richards, Conwell-Egan
Jessica Koci, Ryan (goalkeeper)
Maureen Hawkins, Dougerty
Alex Tope, Prendie
Caroline Hopkins, Dougherty
Adriana Sciascia, Neumann-Goretti
Jess Granese, McDevitt
Connie Larusso, Hallahan
Jess Rotella, Prendie
Leanna Ashcorn, Hallahan
Jennie Filippello, Neuman-Goretti
Alyssa Reinsel, McDevitt
Alex Caizzo, Kennedy-Kenrick
Brenna Coll, Dougherty (goalkeeper)

Second Team
Michelle Saklad, Ryan
Lauren Heisse, Ryan
Allison Clark, Carroll
Nicole Daly, O'Hara
Jessica Cunning, Lansdale Catholic
Mary Kate Morris, St. Hubert
Kerri Goodwin, Little Flower
Maura Gifford, Lansdale Catholic
Monica Re, Wood
jill Catania, O'Hara
kelsey Stevens, Ryan
Mackenzie Pinto, Lansdale Catholic (goalkeeper)
MaryKate Sullivan, Prendie
Alie Lazar, Dougherty
Stacy O'Neill, West
C.J. Murphy, Hallahan
Regina DelBuono, Kennedy-Kenrick
Nya Mercer, Hallahan
Karla Masciotro, Neumann-Goretti
Jillian MacDonald, Dougherty
Krista Farrell, McDevitt
Lea Saunders, Prendie
Jenna Wilson, Prendie
Miranda Schieler, Prendie (goalkeeper)

Third Team
Laura Pallister, Little Flower
Kelsey Celline, Wood
Mary Kate McCann, Carroll
Samantha Strohm, Ryan
Aimee Gennaro, Carroll
Allison Barker, Conwell-Egan
Courtney Weidner, Little Flower
Caitlin Bendig, Wood
Alexa Shumate, Lansdale Catholic
Laura Markopoulos, Carroll
Alyssa Bollard, St. Hubert
Alyson Hop, Wood (goalkeeper)
Susanna Cochrane, McDevitt
Bianca Giorgio, Neumann-Goretti
Kate Gossner, McDevitt
Mary Kate McMonagle, Dougherty
Tonia Russo, Neumann-Goretti
Katie Davis, West
Jenn Danella, Kennedy-Kenrick
Kelly Ebner, Kennedy-Kenrick
Sara Meyers, Hallahan
Jo Saunders, Prendie
Julie Gallagher, McDevitt
Nicole Napoli, Hallahan (goalkeeper)

Boys Soccer
First Team
Tolani Ibikunle, St. Joe's Prep
Darius Madison, La Salle
Ryan Brocker, Judge
Khristian Hall, North
Tim Stahl, Ryan
Emmanuel Kollie, Judge
Pat McGlynn, St. Joe's Prep
Nick Morris, Judge
Nate Kurylo, La Salle
Dan Venuto, North
Chris Pawlowski, La Salle
Ira Woodruff, North
John McCarthy, North (goalkeeper)
Tom Baker, Wood
Matt DiLiegro, Conwell-Egan
Chris Wilson, Wood
Paul Rambo, Conwell-Egan
Emmett Filipelli, Carroll
Matt Maloney, Kennedy-Kenrick
James Pinder, Lansdale Catholic
Austin West, Neumann-Goretti
Trey Chamberlain, Wood
Mike Gratzinger, Kennedy-Kenrick
Alex Wilson, Lansdale Catholic
Nick Gremminger, Kennedy-Kenrick

Second Team
Rob Steck, Wood
Ryan Moffatt, McDevitt
Ian Monagle, Conwell-Egan
Joe Bozzelli, Dougherty
Khalif Allen, West
Will Huff, Neumann-Goretti
Steve Dominello, McDevitt
Bill Castor, Conwell-Egan
Sean Ronney, Lansdale Catholic
Tim Carroll, West
Justin Brydges, Neumann-Goretti
Brian Frasca, McDevitt (goalkeeper)
Conner Caravan, Bonner
Zach DePerro, Ryan
Nick Valecee, Roman
Frank Vogelman, Roman
Jeff Signora, O'Hara
Kevin Bushbeck, Judge
Kevin Nelms, Ryan
Rob Poli, St. Joe's Prep
Darius Gblonbke, Judge
Nico Delgado, Roman
Steve Kelly, La Salle (goalkeeper)

Third Team
Juan Pablo Martinez, North
Dan Panepresso, Ryan
J.T. Maurer, St. Joe's Prep
Tim Peifer, La Salle
Brian Wright, Judge
Mike Moran, Bonner
Sean Burke, St. Joe's Prep
Jack Reilly, St. Joe's Prep
Christian Canavarro, O'Hara (goalkeeper)
Kevin Neyer, McDevitt
Dave Spedding, Carroll
Dan Price, Kennedy-Kenrick
Joe Halbherr, Dougherty
Andrew Bulman, Carroll
Mike Trodden, Wood
Vince Raffaele, McDevitt
Ryan Bogas, Lansdale
Nick Poehland, Kennedy-Kenrick
Alex Frederick, Kennedy-Kenrick
Patrick Sheldon, Kennedy-Kenrick (goalkeeper)

Field Hockey

First Team
Lindsay McArdle, O'Hara
Kelsey Byrne, Carroll
Nicole Goff, Carroll
Katie Shields, Kennedy-Kenrick
Megan George, O'Hara
Emily O'Neill, Prendie
Maria Mastrocola, Kennedy-Kenrick
Cassandra Fario, Conwell-Egan
Kate Barcoski, St. Hubert
Alyssa Andress, Wood
Megan Dillon, St. Hubert

Second Team
Raphaela Rocha, Ryan
Brooke Stretch, Prendie
Maddy Lesher, Carroll
Jen DiPaolo, Wood
Alicia Govanicci, O'Hara
Shannon Murray, Prendie
Melissa Brosions, Carroll
Stpehanie Fratoni, O'Hara
Allison Pollock, Bishop McDevitt
Liz DiPlacido, Lansdale
Hilary Clauss, Lansdale

Honorable Mention
Kate McFadden, St. Hubert
Courtney Rowe, O'Hara
Danielle Wood, Little Flower
Kristine Visco, Ryan
Jessica Burns, Kennedy-Kenrick

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Congrats Bishop Shanahan

Congratulations to Bishop Shanahan's girls volleyball team that won the PIAA Class AAA state championship Nov. 14 for the first time in school history. They beat Allentown Central Catholic 3-0 at Central York High School. Emily Carlin was named tournament MVP.

To honor the champs, there will be an assembly this Friday, Nov. 21., at 8:30 a.m. at Shanahan.

Assistant athletic director Sandra Young said of the team, "They are truly women of virtue who love God, one another, Shanahan and volleyball."

Members of the team and coaches depicted in the photo are:
Back row: Coach Pat Rucker, Coach Michele Lott, Allison Lott, Head Coach Greg Ashman, Summer Jaros, Nicki Ruszkay, Natalie DiRitis, Allson Lott and Susan Frick
Middle row: Kristina Dale, Gabby Nagy, Cait Watson, Kelly Hutchison, Claire Keating, Amanda Nickels, Julie Joyce, Maria Ficca and Natalie Homyak.
Front row with trophy: Captains Katie Pisano, Emily Carlin and Grace Capuzzi.