Westmoreland campus clippings: WCCC's Jumper earns All-America honors

It had been a decade since Westmoreland County Community College had an All-American in cross country, but sophomore Olivia Jumper joined elite company when she earned those accolades at the NJCAA Championships at Iowa Central.

Jumper, a Greensburg native, crossed the finish line in 22 minutes, 47.75 seconds to finish 14th.

WCCC, No. 4 in the national rankings, placed four runners in the top 18 and finished third overall, the best finish for the Wolfpack at the event.

The Wolfpack finished with 60 points, ahead of Georgia Military (67) and behind Kellogg (47) and Joilet (41).

Jumpers’ teammates — freshmen Anna Rubino (Irwin) and Jen Depree (Latrobe) and sophomore Brooke Bertovich, finished 16th, 17th and 18th.

WCCC finished sixth last year.

“The ladies worked hard to get to this point,” WCCC coach Patrick Comer said. “While this year was very special, we have a solid core in this group returning next fall and a chance to really build towards something special in the next few years.”

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Men’s soccer

Pitt: Redshirt freshman forward Luke Mort (Greensburg Central Catholic) started for the top-ranked Panthers in Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Duke in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals. Mort has played in three games and has one goal for Pitt (6-0), which will play Notre Dame in Wednesday’s semifinals.

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Women’s basketball

Point Park: Senior guard Michelle Burns (Hempfield) scored a team-high 24 points with seven assists and six rebounds, and sophomore Jordan Yaniga (Franklin Regional) had eight points and six rebounds, and made the tying and go-ahead free throws as the Pioneers downed Bryant & Stratton-Rochester, 94-91, in overtime.

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Men’s basketball

West Liberty: Sophomore Bryce Butler (Latrobe) returns for the Hilltoppers, who finished 27-4 last season and averaged 102.4 points per game. Butler averaged 8.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 21.7 minutes in 31 games. He shot 48% from the field.

West Liberty is ranked No. 2 in the NCAA Division II Preseason Power 10. The Hilltoppers made the NCAA Tournament last year but the event was canceled over the covid-19 pandemic.

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Wrestling

Pitt: Redshirt junior Micky Phillippi (Derry) finished sixth at 61 kilograms with a 3-3 record at the USA Wrestling Under-23 Nationals held at the CHI Health Center in Omaha, Neb. Redshirt sophomore Luke Kemerer (Hempfield) was seventh (4-2) at 65 kilograms. Kemerer redshirted last season for the Panthers.