John Grupp stories, Page 10

North Catholic ready to rebound under new coach

North Catholic first-year football coach Chris Rizzo traveled about 2,000 miles to take over a program that’s not too far from where it wants to be. “It was time to get back,” said the Bethel Park native, who spent the past four seasons as head coach at Glendale (Ariz.) Ironwood....
Hampton determined to extend playoff streak

Something is catching on with Hampton football. The Talbots return a handful of starters on both sides of the ball, led by back-to-back 1,000-yard rusher Brock Borgo, in their bid to reach the WPIAL playoffs for the fourth consecutive season and further distance themselves from the disheartening days of 2016-19,...
Practice makes perfect for former Hampton receiver Benny Haselrig at Pitt

The video replay revealed what Hampton’s Benny Haselrig already knew. The freshman wide receiver at Pitt had made the wrong read during an option route in the opening days of football training camp, and the film review didn’t lie. “You have to read the defense and decide which direction to...
Hampton volleyball star Emmy Schrom staying close to home at Duquesne

When Hampton two-time all-state volleyball player Emmy Schrom began looking at colleges, proximity was a priority. “I just didn’t want to go that far away,” she said. “I feel like I owe it to my parents, and everyone else that has helped me, to be able to come and watch...
Passion for running fuels North Huntingdon’s Dansak family

July 4 was Earth’s hottest day on record at the time, but something very cool happened to a family of runners from North Huntingdon. Five female members of the Dansak family — a mom, three daughters, and an aunt ranging in age from 11 to 48 — brought home a...
New Hampton athletic director Mike Gavlik brings vast experience to position

Mike Gavlik has formed a straightforward philosophy during his two decades as a high school athletic director. It’s all about the kids. “At the end of the day, the decisions that are made should be about the student-athletes,” Hampton’s new AD said. “I think that applies across the board. As...
Hampton runner sparkles with Firecracker 5K win

Hampton’s Chris Belch put on a display on the Fourth of July. The 17-year-old won the 18th Hampton Rotary Firecracker 5K, holding off his older brother, Michael, in the 3.1-mile, 126-runner race. “That’s probably the biggest race that I’ve ever won,” the younger Belch said. “I had a lot of...
Hampton wrestler Isabella McNutt takes another shot at nationals

Making the 1,100-mile trek from Pittsburgh to Fargo, N.D., is becoming an annual summer trip for Hampton’s Isabella McNutt. McNutt placed fourth at the USA Wrestling Northeast Regional Championships in mid-May in Atlantic City, N.J., to punch a return ticket to the Junior Nationals on July 15-23, in Fargo, ND....
New multipurpose field progressing at Hampton

Construction of the new softball/multipurpose field at Hampton High School is rounding second and — slowly but surely — heading for home. Part of the district’s $17.4 million Phase One renovation, the field is expected to be ready for general multipurpose use in the summer of 2024 “at the earliest”...
Hampton’s Marshalwitz brothers enjoy special season at Youngstown State

Hampton graduates Casey and Cam Marshalwitz have played baseball for most of their lives, but they’ve never had a season like this one. For the first time, the brothers were full-time teammates, sharing the field at Division I Youngstown State. “It was fun,” said Casey, a senior relief pitcher at...
Despite short playoff run, Hampton girls lacrosse team savors season’s successes

Hampton failed to reach the WPIAL girls lacrosse semifinals this season for the first time since 2015, but the journey was worth the while. “To get as far as we did for a predominantly young roster — only two seniors — is a great success in my opinion,” coach Kelsey...
Hampton staying sharp with summer basketball schedule

So much for resting on your laurels. Coming off its best season in a decade, the Hampton boys basketball team is staying busy this summer. The Talbots went 5-1 and reached the championship game of the Northgate undergraduate league before beginning play in late May in the monthlong Pittsburgh Basketball...
Hampton runners good as gold at WPIAL, PIAA meets

Hampton track won WPIAL and PIAA gold medals in May with a relay team that got a late start and a miler who had a great finish. The girls 3,200 relay team of Kevyn Fish, Ava Vitiello, Teresa Grimm and Kathleen Milon, who ran together only twice prior to the...
Hampton baseball season punctuated by playoff win

Things looked bleak for the Hampton baseball team at midseason. A 10-6 nonsection loss at Montour on April 20 dropped the Talbots to 3-8 overall, and they had lost three consecutive Section 4-4A games to fall to 2-4. “It was not doing the little things,” senior ace left-haander Ryan Apaliski...
Longtime Hampton softball coach Ron Fedell steps away

Hampton softball coach Ron Fedell, who celebrated his 200th career victory earlier this month, is stepping down after 23 seasons. Fedell, 68, said he and his wife Kathy have custody of their 4-year-old granddaughter, who is autistic. Fedell said his time and focus need to be on her. “It’s just...
Hampton grad Matt DeMatteo thrives after narrowing focus to track at Duquesne

Former Hampton three-sport standout Matt DeMatteo already owns the third-fastest 400-meter hurdle time in Duquesne track and field history. Imagine what will happen when he figures out what he’s doing. “I’ve always been a three-sport athlete and never really focused all of my time on track,” DeMatteo said. “So I’m...

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