Westmoreland County campus clippings: Jeannette grad Robert Kennedy enters transfer portal

Robert Kennedy will play his final season of college football in a different uniform.

The former Jeannette star announced he is leaving Old Dominion after two seasons.

A redshirt junior safety, Kennedy entered the NCAA transfer portal for a third time and plans to play as a grad transfer next season.

Kennedy already received a Power 5 offer from Boston College and visited that school this past weekend.

He plans to visit North Carolina State next weekend.

“It’s moreso wanting to get polished for the next level,” Kennedy said. “It isn’t wanting to play at a larger program (but) that’s just plus though for sure. NFL aspirations have been there since I was probably 12 years old. I knew that’s what I wanted to do. Playing at the highest level against the best is something that I envision myself doing.”

Kennedy went to Lackawanna junior college for two years out of high school before playing five games at East Carolina in 2020.

This past season, he finished fifth on the team with 52 tackles, 33 solo, and had an interception, six pass breakups, and two forced fumbles for the Monarchs (3-9).

Football

William & Mary: Junior safety Marcus Barnes (Jeannette) tied a team high with six tackles as the Tribe defeated Gardner-Webb, 54-14, in the second round of the NCAA FCS playoffs.

Men’s basketball

West Liberty: Junior guard Bryce Butler (Latrobe) tied a game-high 21 points, on 9-of-14 shooting, and added four rebounds and four assists as the Hilltoppers (7-0) downed Davis & Elkins, 101-64.

York: Grad guard Sean Kelly (Penn-Trafford) is averaging 6.3 points and 3.5 rebounds in six games his season.

Women’s basketball

Grove City: Senior guard Megan Kallock (Greensburg Salem) scored a team-best 18 points and sophomore guard Mara Polczynski (Norwin) added nine, and four assists, as the Wolverines downed Grove City, 69-61.

Illinois-Springfield: Freshman Brianna Zajicek (Norwin) had a career-high 23 points and played all 40 minutes in an 86-79 loss to Truman State.

Mercyhurst: Freshman forward Bailey Kuhns (Greensburg Central Catholic) is averaging 7.6 points and 4.4 rebounds a game for the Lakers. She had a 19-point game against West Liberty.

Kuhns has played in five games, with one start.

Pitt-Greensburg: Senior Sidney McCully poured in a career-high 31 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, sophomore Melina Maietta (Greensburg Central Catholic) added 16 points, and freshman Madison Scalese chipped in 14 to lead UPG to its first win of the season, 70-58 over Wooster.

McCully was named the AMCC Player of the Week.

Slippery Rock: Redshirt sophomore Bella Long (Penn-Trafford) came off the bench to score 14 points, including four 3-pointers, as the Rock opened PSAC play with a 73-57 win over Shepherd.