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.
FALL
2009: Volume X
BOYS
CROSS COUNTRY
The
boys, under first-year head coach Ben McConnell, struggled in their second year
in the Heartland Conference
One season bright spot was the boys
6th place finish out of 16 teams in the Classic Heartland Athletic Conference
Invitational. The Tornadoes were paced by Cody Yeager and Mikael Hause, who
finished 10th and 11th respectively. Other finishers in the top 50 were Chris
Monahan (18) and Justin Skavery (40),
At The District IV meet held at
Bloomsburg, Chris Monahan qualified for the state meet with his 14th place
finish (10th overall). Mikael Hause finished 15th by 2 seconds and barely missed
a trip to states. The boys finished 10th out of 22 teams with help from Cody
Yeager (30th), Justin Skavery (66th) and Dylan Hornberger (122nd)
Because of a drop out, Hause was
allowed to participate in the State Championship meet at Hershey and made the
most of it with his 67th place finish in 17:53. His team mate Monahan did even
better with his 52nd place finish in 17:41.There were a total of 289 finishers
in the meet. Both runners will return next year
GIRLS
CROSS COUNTRY
The
girls, also under first year coach Ben McConnell, were hampered by lack of
numbers, but still managed an 11th place finish in the Heartland Invitational.
Top finisher was Rachel Fletcher at 24th., the only finisher in the top 50.
Rachel Fletcher was the girls top
finisher at 36th, with Samantha Bressi (46th), Karissa Cichon (62nd), Cara
Sinopoli (75th), and Danielle Lawler (76th). They did manage a 13th place finish
in the team standings
BOYS
SOCCER (2-15-1)
The
boys once again did not do well record-wise in the Heartland, although they were
much more competitive as a team. Under head coach Harry Kolody and assistant
John Lepley, the boys will graduate 9 seniors and have only 10 returning
players.
Chad Resendez was named to the first
team soccer team by the Heartland Conference Division II, while Ryan Lasavage
was given second team honors
Ian Kanezo, Justin Latorre, and Chad
Resendes were given honorable mention to the New-Item All Area Soccer Team
GIRLS
SOCCER (11-7-1)
Coached
by Rich Miller and assisted by Chris Kozlowski, the girls found themselves as a
12 seed in the opening round of District IV play and opened competition against
number 5 seed Montoursville
In the opening round of District IV
play, the girls lost to defending state champion Montoursville by a 3-0 score.
The good news is that the Tornadoes return all but 2 starters next year
Rannotta Ahrensfield was named to the
first team Heartland Conference Division II all star team.
Ahresfield, Megan VanDoren, Kim
Andruscavage, and Val Bendas were
named to the First Team All Area Soccer team by the News-Item. Danielle Bernini,
Bridget Demko, and Alyssa Oawlewicz were given honorable mention
GIRLS
VOLLEY BALL (0-16)
The
girls, under Tina McClay and Ana Ditchey, were winless during the 09 season. The
girls managed to win only 6 sets in the 3 sets to a win format. Only three
seniors leave the team - Hannah Reigle, Robin Hampton, and Steph Williams.
BOYS
FOOTBALL (7-5)
The
boys, under new head coach, Bob Chesney, began the season with only 2 starters
returning, after graduating 25 seniors. They would manage a 5-5 record, after
starting the season at 5-2 - losing its last three starts of the regular season
- losing at home for the first time in 14 games. Because of the slide, the
Tornadoes were edged out of District play. They did, however, qualify for
Eastern Conference play as a 3-seed. It would be the 14th time in Eastern
Conference action, having won 6 Conference Titles and posting a 9-6 record in
Eastern Conference play. They would open up playing first-time foe Schuylkill
Valley from the Reading Area.
The Tornadoes would defeat Schuylkill
Valley behind the 215 yard rushing effort by Justin Pellowski and overcome
Hanover Area by a 14 - 7 score to win their 7th Eastern Conference Football
Championship. That championship, along with a share of the Heartland Division II
Championship, allowed the Tornadoes a certain modicum of success in the 2009
campaign.
Pellowski
and Abdul Abuomar were named to the first team Heartland Conference all stars on
the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. Sophomores Eddie Smerlick and
Cody Shustack were named to the second team defensive squad.
Pellowski
and Abuomar were named to the First team all area team by the News Item
Pellowski
and Trevor Demko were given honorable mention all state by the Pennsylvania
Football News.
EXTRA
- Bob Chesney was fired as the head football coach at MCA after only one year. A
replacement has not been named at this time
EXTRA
- Former grad, David Shinskie quarterbacked the Boston College Eagles in the
Emerald Bowl on December 26, David became the starter as a true freshman after 7
years in minor league baseball.
EXTRA
- Henry Hynoski, son of Mount Carmel Area great, Henry Hynoski, was the starting
fullback for the University of Pittsburg in the Menineke-Car Care Bowl on Dec
26th. He is a red shirt sophomore for the Panthers
EXTRA
- Eric Lapotsky is having an outstanding season wrestling for the University of
Oklahoma and is currently nationally ranked third with a 14-1 record.
EXTRA
- Henry Hynoski became the 9th Red Tornado to have his jeresy retired at
ceremonies during the MCA-Southern Football game in October. He joins, Gary
Diminick, Mike Diminick, Bob Zavarick, Brett Veach, Jon Veach, Nick Sebes, David
Shinskie, and Dan Ficca.
EXTRA
- 1993 grad, Michael Kogut, led his Tri Valley Football team to the District II
Championship and went as far as the Eastern Final. For his efforts, he was named
the Reading Eagle Coach of the Year. Congratulations Michael!
EXTRA
- Alyssa Diminick, daughter of Ken Diminick, MCA 74 - was a cheerleader for
Villanova as the Wildcats won the National Championship Division 1 Subdivision
over Montana. She is also a cheerleader for the Wildcat basketball team
Past Editions of Sports Watch
