John Grupp stories, Page 5
Hampton enters post-Lafko era with lineup overhaul from 25-5 WPIAL finalist
Someone forgot the memo for Hampton boys basketball that this is supposed to be a down season. Despite losing a legendary coach, an all-state guard and a 1,000-point scorer from last year’s 25-5 WPIAL finalist and now facing a tougher Class 5A schedule with five new starters, the Talbots are...
With 8 returning WPIAL qualifiers, North Allegheny wrestlers set sights high
In the bowels of North Allegheny High School a few days before Thanksgiving, the NA wrestlers ran end-of-practice wind sprints to the loud encouragement of coaches and classic rock. The Tigers plan to make even more noise this season. “I don’t see any issues with their work ethic, and that’s...
North Allegheny girls making job easier for 1st-year coach replacing legend
Replacing a coaching legend is never easy. But the North Allegheny girls basketball team is helping new coach Gabby Baldasare feel right at home. “I can confidently say this is the best group of kids I’ve ever coached and ever been around,” Baldasare said. “The culture that (former coach Spencer)...
North Allegheny boys look to pick up tempo to get back on track
North Allegheny boys basketball coach Dave DeGregorio is turning back the clock this season. Coming off the program’s first back-to-back losing seasons in 25 years, North Allegheny is implementing a more fast-paced attack to take advantage of its new-look starting lineup. “We’re getting back to the way we played when...
North Allegheny girls volleyball nears unprecedented streak after claiming 8th straight PIAA title
The North Allegheny girls volleyball team often uses motivational sayings such as “pressure is a privilege” or “success is never owned, it’s rented, and rent is due every day.” They may need to adopt some more slogans next year. The Tigers next season will try to become the first team...
North Allegheny seniors reflect on career of success
The North Allegheny football seniors walked under the lights at Newman Stadium one last time Nov. 16. The night-time stands were empty and silent, but their achievements were as bright as day. “We have accomplished so much and we’ve done it together over the years,” senior all-conference offensive lineman Jack...
North Allegheny grad Luke Colella a bright spot for Princeton football
The wait was worth it for North Allegheny graduate Luke Colella. After biding his time for two seasons at Princeton behind a group of talented pass-catchers, Colella has become the Tigers’ top wide receiver. Colella, a senior, moved into the starting lineup last season and earned honorable mention all-Ivy League...
North Allegheny boys water polo wins state title in wild, 4OT classic
The North Allegheny boys water polo team traveled to the sport’s hotbed in Pennsylvania and threw a pool party for the ages. The Tigers defeated three Eastern Pa. powerhouses in three days to bring home the state championship, capped by a 10-9 four-overtime victory against Upper Dublin on Nov. 9...
Hampton runners reflect on WPIAL championship season
The Hampton girls cross country team this season had a ritual of eating at Olive Garden after each big race. One meal was especially tasty. The Talbots put together a historic 2024 season that included the first WPIAL Class 2A cross country championship in program history. “It was just overwhelming,”...
1st-year Hampton tight end Ryan Scully earns all-conference recognition
Whenever Hampton football coach Steve Sciullo saw Ryan Scully in the high school hallways last year, the former NFL lineman tried to convince the 6-foot-3, 220-pounder to play football. Scully finally agreed, and earlier this month Sciullo called the junior tight end into those same hallways to tell him something....
After PIAA title streak ends, North Allegheny cross country looks forward to promising future
For the first time since 2017, North Allegheny cross country returned from Hershey without a state championship. But they didn’t come back empty-handed. “If you get as good as you can, and you fight the whole way and never give up, I’m going to be proud of you,” longtime coach...
North Allegheny boys soccer holds head high after semifinal loss
The North Allegheny boys soccer team’s 2024 season started with a loss and ended with heartbreak, but everything in between was exceptional. “The regular season historically was very good,” coach Manuel Montero said. “It was phenomenal.” The season, which opened with a disappointing loss to Wheeling Park (W.Va.) and concluded...
Bittersweet ending for North Allegheny field hockey seniors
When North Allegheny field hockey coach Michelle Kessler asked her seniors in August what they hoped to accomplish this season, their answer was short and sweet. “Have fun.” “They definitely held true to that,” Kessler said. “Even at times when we may not have gotten the outcome that we wanted...
State champion North Allegheny boys golf team reflects on ‘epic’ season
The greatest season in North Allegheny boys golf began three months ago with a practice and a premonition. At the Tigers’ first workout, assistant coach Bill Medwick inhaled the early August breeze and declared, “I smell a state title is in the air.” The nose knew. North Allegheny capped its...
North Allegheny girls volleyball enters postseason more battle-tested than usual
The seven-time PIAA Class 4A champion North Allegheny girls volleyball team actually had to break a sweat this regular season. The Tigers may be less powerful than usual or, if history is an indication, more prepared for adversity than ever. “We haven’t been a dominant team in every match,” coach...
Youthful North Allegheny girls tennis team grows stronger after section title, playoff ouster
The North Allegheny girls tennis team entered this season with little experience, a lot of questions marks and no place to call home. “Going into camp in August,” coach Michelle Weniger said, “we were very aware that we were going to be a young, inexperienced team.” The Tigers overcame their...
Quick start lifts spirits for Hampton hockey
The Hampton hockey team wasted no time showing how a little belief can go a long way. Hampton, coming off a 5-15 season that included a 0-5 start and a midseason coaching change, opened its 2024-25 campaign with a 5-4 overtime victory against Butler and a 12-0 rout over Richland....
Hampton boys soccer works overtime in run to playoffs
When Hampton’s WPIAL Class 3A first-round playoff game at West Allegheny went into overtime on Oct. 19, it felt almost regular for the Talbots. It was the fifth OT game of the season for No. 9-seeded Hampton, which escaped No. 8 West Allegheny, 2-1, on senior midfielder Caden Muchenski’s penalty-kick...
North Allegheny hockey leans on defense while new forwards find footing
Scoring goals was never a problem for the North Allegheny hockey team last season. The goal this season will be preventing them. “We bring back five of the top six (on defense),” coach Andrew Siess said. “So that’s really a point of emphasis for us. We know we’re very strong...
North Allegheny’s Kucler twins branch out with college choices
North Allegheny star distance runners Robin and Wren Kucler took official visits to the same schools, but the identical twins ended up on different paths. Robin has committed to run at Wake Forest, while Wren picked Penn State. “I think those are two perfect choices for them,” NA cross country...
Behind stingy defense, North Allegheny girls eye return to WPIAL finals
North Allegheny’s 0-0 double-overtime tie at top-ranked Seneca Valley on Oct. 7 was emblematic of the Tigers’ season. The defense was again outstanding, while the attack remains a work in progress. “We feel very good about the style of soccer that we play, and we can compete with the other...
New coach Gabby Baldasare excited to fill big shoes with North Allegheny girls basketball
Gabby Baldasare found herself in coaching limbo this spring when she resigned after two seasons with Pine-Richland girls basketball. But one phone call from Spencer Stefko changed all that. Stefko, the highly successful North Allegheny coach who stepped down unexpectedly after the 2023-24 season, recommended Baldasare pursue the job opening...
Langdon twins bring twice the toughness to North Allegheny linebacking corps
North Allegheny senior linebackers Dylan and Kyle Langdon came into the world at the same time. The identical twins share the exact same DNA, but that’s not all they have in common. “They mean a lot to everything,” NA coach Art Walker said. “They are very good leaders. They work...
North Allegheny golfers aim for elusive WPIAL crown
The North Allegheny golf team doesn’t spend much time in the high school gym, but the Tigers plan on making some renovations anyway. Coming off one of the best regular seasons in program history, the Tigers are looking to snap a 53-year WPIAL team title drought and update a black...
Grace under pressure: Hampton senior becomes 1st Talbot in 30 years to earn PIAA singles berth
Hampton senior Grace Stitt was hurting after losing the first set of the WPIAL Class 2A singles semifinals Sept. 18 at Bethel Park. “I was feeling pretty defeated,” she said. “I felt awful.” A little while later, she was crying. But they were tears of joy. No. 2 seeded Stitt...
