TORNADO SPORTS WATCH

For Alumni

by Jose Gonzalo, Class of '64

It is hoped that Tornado Sports Watch for Alumni will be a three-time per year report of the sports programs at Mount Carmel Area High School. Editions in January, March and June are planned.

WINTER 2007-2008: Volume V

 WRESTLING

The Tornado wrestlers have put together one of the most successful seasons on record at MCA. Their 23-4 dual meet record gives them the most wins in school history. They have gone 43-7 over the last two years. Head coach Randy Reidler has improved his record as MCA's leader to 67-26 since taking over 4 years ago.  Their losses were to Burrell - the state dual champion, Bermudian Springs - the state dual runner up, Shadyside Academy - the states 4th place team and Towanda - the District IV champion.                                                                                                                                  

The Tornado grapplers opened the season with a very impressive third place finish at the 21-team Sheetz Classic at Penn Cambria High School. Josh Malick came home=with a championship at 119, while Dylan Hornberger (130) took a second. Randy Elliot (160) and Shane Wondoloski (112) placed third. Sean McCollum (171) and Jordan Politza (189) took fourths.

 The team took third place at the Selinsgrove invitational with Haynes winning the only individual title at 215. Wondoloski, Hornberger, Mike Maher, Elliot, and Politza took seconds. Doug Kraynak took third.

 MCA was unable to claim its third consecutive team championship of the Schuylkill League by finishing second to Blue Mountain 250-177. Winning individual championships were Josh Malick at 112, Jordan Politza at 189 and James Haynes at 215. Randy Elliot took second at 160.Nick Dusendshine took third at 103 while Shane Wondoloski placed 4th at 119. Dylan Hornberger (130) and Kyle Higgins (171) managed 5th place finishes as Chris Steck came in 6th at 286.

By virtue of his win, Malick has become only the 9th wrestler in Schuylkill League history to record 4 consecutive league tilels. MCA wrestler Mike Garcia also posted the mark in 1991-94. Haynes won his third Schuylkill League crown while Politza took home his second.

 The Tornadoes at 17-1 found themselves as the second seed in the District IV Team Championships They won their opener with Sullivan County, defeated Wyalusing in the 1/4 finals, defeated Athens in the semi's and eventually would lose to Towanda in the finals by a score of 40-24. They would improve their team record to 20-2.

 The win advanced the Tornadoes into the state championship round and defeated the District XI runner-up, Northern Lehigh, to advance to Hershey. In the opener there, MCA upset undefeated District VI Champion Mount Union by a 39-33 score. MCA then ran into a buzz saw in Burrell, losing by a 59-9 score. In wrestle-backs, MCA came from behind to defeat Forrest Hills by a 33-31 score as Mike Sinopoli won his bout to clinch the victory. In the second round consolations, MCA lost to Shadyside Academy by a 42-18 score, thereby finishing in the state's top 8 in AA.

 At Sectionals, MCA came away with a third place finish in the Southern Sectional.. Individual championships were won by Malick, Haynes, and Jordan Politza, who wrestled with a torn ACL and MCL. Seconds went to Elliot and Dylan Hornberger. Getting thirds and advancing were Dusendschine, Sinopoli, and Higgins.

 At District IV AA Championships, MCA finished 7th out of 31 teams and had Malick and Haynes repeat as District IV Champs, Jordan Politza came away with the silver as Dylan Hornberger came away with a 5th place finish. All move on to Regionals next week. Hornberger. By virtue of winning one match at Regionals finishes with a 40-13 mark. The 40 wins mark the most ever for a freshman at MCA and ranks in the top 5 overall. Malick at 112 and Haynes at 215 added Regional Championships by winning three consecutive matches and move on to states.

 At the state meet, Malick lost in 1/4finals and in 2nd round consolations to finish the year at 37-4 and his career at 140-19- The 140 wins ties Mike Garcia as the most ever at MCA. Haynes would lose his semi final match, but would wrestle back to a third place medal. He would finish the year at 48-3 - the most wins ever in a season at MCA. He also became only the second three-time state place winner - Mike Garcia , the other. Elliot and Haynes would join Malick with 100 wins in their careers - Jordan Politza fell short with 95. Haymes, Malick, Politza, Elliott, and Dylan Hornberger were named to the News Item team.

   MCA'S 100-win Line-up

Mike Garcia - 140-9 - 3 State Titles  1992-93-94

Eric Lupatsky - 122-25 - 8th in 2005 - 5th in 2006

David Evans - 112 - 24 - 3rd in 1997

David Fantini - 105 - 17 - 3rd in 1990 - 5th in 1989

Josh Malick - (140-19-  8th in 2006 - 8th in 2007

James Haynes - 137-18 - 6th in 2006 - 5th in 2007 = 3rd in 2008

Randy Elliott -  109-39

 CHEERLEADING

Sarah M, Novack, Ashley Pachutski, and Amber Hughes were chosen by the National Cheerleaders Association to receive the All-American Team Award.

 NCA awards All-American Status to Cheerleaders displaying superior qualities in all aspects of cheerleading including leadership, showmanship and technique.  Novack also received the NCA Motion Award. She had the opportunity to travel to an NCA special event and teach summer camps.   She was selected as a All-American her sophomore year and  a nominee for junior year.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

The girls suffered through another long year under coach Mark Moyer to finish at 5 - 19 - with 2 of the wins coming via forfeit. Moyer's record now stands at 17-55 in three years. The season did not progress without wonderful effort by seniors Sarah Novack, Tracy Stutzcage, Brynna Ditchey, and Ashley Pachutski, all of whom have gotten to start since their freshman year. Sarah Novack was named to the second team All News Item team. Tracy Stutzcage and Sarah Novack were chosen to play in the Northumberland County All Star Game.

BOYS BASKETBALL

The boys, under head coach John Lazicki cruised to a fine 14-10 regular season record with big wins over Schuylkill Haven and North Schuylkill. The boys were led by seniors Mark Costello, Jake Scicchitano, Matt Hepler, and Josh Scicchitano.  Underclassmen, Matt Moroz, Marcus Wasilewski, Matt Koveleski,, Seth Scicchitano and Mike Domaleski will provide a great nucleus for next years team.

 The Tornadoes opened up District IV play as a 4 seed against Southern Columbia and took the Tigers to overtime before losing by a 50-42 score. It was, however, the 5th consecutive year where the Tornadoes have qualified for District IV play. John Lazicki did pick up his 100th coaching win during his 9th season at the helm of the Red Tornadoes. His record now stands at 110 - 116.

Jake Scicchitano and Mark Costello were chosen to play in the Northumberland County All Star Game. Costello was the only player named to the News Item All Area team.

SWIMMING

The boys only had one swimmer available during the 2007-08 season - Chris Kanezo - and although he would place in most meets, was unable to lead the team to any victories.

On the girls side, Sarah Steely would earn a silver medal at the Schuylkill League meet and place 6th in the 100 backstroke as well.

HALL OF FAME

Inductees into the class of 2008 are Joe Ahrensfield, Phil Klaus, Edwin Rakocy, Ray Rothermel. Beth Santelli, and Jeff Yoder. Wasilewski Female Scholar Athlete was Holly Ibanez, Diminick Male Scholar Athlete was Wally Watkins, The Saint Pauline Visintainer Scholar Athlete was James Lesko,  and The James Bach Scholar Athlete from Lourdes Regional was Chris Johnson.

Past Editions of Sports Watch

Volume 4 (Fall 2007)

Volume 3 (Spring 2007)

Volume 2 (Winter 2007)

Volume 1 (Fall 2006)