Josh Rizzo stories, Page 4

Rowan Gwin learned from experience when planning his race strategy in the 1,600-meter run during the PIAA Class 3A Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University. Butler senior Drew Griffith is one of the greatest distance runners to ever come out of Western Pennsylvania. Gwin didn’t want to burn himself...

A rowing machine was always located in Fox Chapel sophomore Niko Vavpetic’s basement. But he didn’t know much about his dad’s time competing while he was attended Harvard. When Vavpetic showed an interest, his dad worked with him to help keep him on track for success in competition. So far,...

Paris Bey, Tymere Alston, Tindah Mofor and Achan Green came together as a strong 1,600-meter relay team during the South Fayette Invitational in late April. When they put up a time of 4 minutes, 28 seconds during their first race together, Indians coach Lee Zelkowitz was excited to see what...

Jadyn Wright continues to build on the legacy he has created on the Penn Hills fitness team. When Wright went to the Marine Corps Youth Physical Fitness National Championship in Little Rock, Ark., he once again brought home top honors. Wright finished slightly short of a perfect score while capturing...

Anna Troutman could have made a few more attempts to extend her winning height at the WPIAL Class 3A championships. But with Troutman as the only competitor left and the rough conditions that day in Slippery Rock, she was halted at 5 feet, 5 inches, which gave the Fox Chapel...

There are a lot of things that Lucas Gravina enjoys about rowing. When the Fox Chapel senior competes for the club team, he feels a sense of belonging with the people who share the boat. This year, Gravina qualified for the Scholastic Rowing Association of America National Championships in Pennsauken,...

Jade Hromanik held her hand out so her friend’s family’s dog would feel comfortable. But the dog didn’t stay cool. The chaotic seconds that followed left everyone scrambling. The dog leaped forward, biting Hromanik on the arms and legs. Hromanik needed assistance to pull the dog off her. The Westminster...

Junior setter Anthony Collins is encouraged about the future of the Penn Hills volleyball team. The Indians didn’t get the results they wanted this season, but Collins is encouraged about the potential growth for the next crop of kids coming up through the program. “They are promising. A few did...

Achan Green’s redemption story happened right at Slippery Rock University on May 15. Green missed out on qualifying for states last year due to an injury he suffered at the WPIAL Class 3A track championships. But Green was healthy this year and took advantage while competing at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Green...

Hannah Sahr and Liam Kelley started track and field with an idea of what events they thought they may like. But the Shaler juniors both adjusted once they got some hands-on experience. Hannah Sahr wanted to be a distance runner like her cousin, Cheyenne. Kelley wasn’t sure what events he...

Mason Miles never stopped looking for ways to be more comfortable. The Fox Chapel senior was injured during the first track meet of the season, hyperextending his finger when throwing the shot put. “My pointer finger hyperextended, and I decided to push through the meet,” Miles said. “I kept doing...

The Fox Chapel boys lacrosse team didn’t stray from what allowed it to advance to the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs. During the first round against Norwin, the Foxes leaned on their defense to collect a 10-7 victory and move on to the quarterfinals. Fox Chapel only allowed 54 goals during...

Strategy was at the forefront of the last-chance meet for Penn Hills track and field. Entering the race, coach Lee Zelkowitz said the Indians were not only hoping to qualify more athletes. Zelkowitz said he wanted to see his top performers improve their seed time to get into faster heats...

Daemar Kelly was a 1,000- point scorer and catalyst for the Penn Hills boys basketball team that won the Class 5A WPIAL championship. After a year at Quinnipiac, Kelly announced he would be transferring. Kelly recently announced he will be playing for St. Francis (Pa.) in the Northeast Conference. The...

Nicky Clump wasn’t intimidated by sliding his way through the pack at the start of races when he started with distance running. Ever since Clump can remember, he would go out running with his dad, David “Andy” Clump. Andy ran while attending high school in Doddridge County, W.Va., and continued...

Fox Chapel’s young softball team passed the first major test of the season by qualifying for the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs. The Foxes were then fortunate to have several nonsection tests against quality opposition to end the regular season. Fox Chapel (7-9 overall, 4-6 Section 1-5A) won two of three...

Yasmine Logan was one of the more comfortable visiting players at Varabedian Field in Oakland when Ohio University came to town to take on Pitt softball. Logan, a Penn Hills graduate, was supported by a large contingent of Indians softball players who made the short trek down to the stadium....

Isaac Jacobs’ plan was to become a three-sport athlete. Lacrosse was going to be just one of those three for the Fox Chapel senior. When Jacobs committed to John Carroll University to play men’s lacrosse, he knew he was going to have to keep working to be able to get...

Coach James Hastings knows that every game the Fox Chapel baseball team plays is going to be a grind in Section 1-5A. The fact that WPIAL baseball changed its scheduling a few years back to make those games back-to-back like a series added to the challenge. It now isn’t possible...

Purchasing new equipment has helped the Penn Hills baseball team raise its collective batting average. If the Indians want to build on that success and win games, they will have to string those hits together. Penn Hills has only produced 23 runs in its first 11 games. “We have quite...

Ronald Porter didn’t think much about the long jump at first. Entering his first track and field season at Penn Hills, the junior wanted to help get his time in the 100 dash down to earn bragging rights with his football teammates. But Indians coach Lee Zelkowiz and his staff...

The Plum girls lacrosse team has made adjustments as the season has progressed. When the Mustangs’ young attacks needed time to grow into their roles, Plum counted on its upperclassmen to help carry the fight in the midfield. The Mustangs have been scoring at an impressive clip this season. While...

The Fox Chapel track team made the most of its trip to the 59th annual Butler Invitational. The Foxes had a healthy number of athletes earn top three finishes and get a boost of confidence. Both of Fox Chapel’s returning state qualifiers — Anna Troutman and Claire Conti — had...

Paul Vandale is nimble as he bounds through the ropes at Gloria’s Boxing Gym at the Monroeville Mall. The 64-year-old Penn Hills resident is full of energy, and confidence, as he bounces around the ring shadow boxing while sporting a black cut-off shirt with white lettering in the center featuring...

Matt Rosemeyer has consistently worked over the past few years to develop the rugby community in Penn Hills. The Big Red rugby team has added another wrinkle this season. Penn Hills now has a girls team for the first time. The Big Red girls will be participating in 7s, instead...