Katelin Dennis commits to Wilson College

Katelin Dennis has committed to play softball at Wilson College after she graduates. In the photo with Kaitlin are: Seated L to R: Kelly Elder (Mom) and Katelin
Standing L to R: Paul Gregorski (High School Principal), Cindy Rizzi (Co-Athletic Director), and Joe Romanowski (Head Softball Coach).

Laura Booths commits to Wilkes University

Congratulations to Laura Booths who has committed to play Volleyball at Wilkes University next year. Pictured with Laura are – Sitting L to R: Robert Booths (Dad), Jessie Booths (Brother), Laura, Susan Booths (Mom)
Standing L to R: Darren Thorpe (Volleyball Coach), Paul Gregorski (High School Principal) and Greg Butler (Co-Athletic Director)

Lenny Maiocco III Scranton Times Athlete of Week

The Western Wayne freshman tennis player improved to 20-0 this season, notching a three-set victory to capture the District 2 Class 2A tennis title.

Age: 15

Family: Father, Lenny Jr., mother Christa, sister Alaina.

Other sports you play: Track — the hurdles and 400.

I know you had a really good final against Scranton Prep’s Jack Habeeb, winning in three sets. I met him this year and I really, really like him a lot. Very respectful, very nice, very talented player.

When you get a good match against a quality opponent, do you soak in the moment? When I played Jack, I knew I’d have to play my best tennis. When he beat me the first set, he was just playing very, very well. When I won, it was a good victory for me. I learned a lot from that.

Winning a championship as a freshman, that’s a very big deal. Have you thought about the accomplishment? I try not to think about me being a freshman, just that I’m going out and playing with other tennis players and just play. People say freshmen have to prove themselves. I try not to think about that.

How does playing two sports in the same season work? They’re both the same season. It was very hard this year. If I had a home tennis match and a home track meet, I’d play my tennis match and as soon as I was done, I’d run down to the track, get changed and have just enough time for one event.

Fortunately, you’re very good in tennis so you were able to polish some opponents off early. It was nice to be able to finish in 45 minutes, go down there and still have time. It’s just go out there and get the job done.

But tennis is the number-one thing, correct? I told my track coach tennis has to come first because that’s my main sport. He said it was totally fine, but we still want you. He put me on varsity this year, which is rare for a freshman, so I was very honored coach (Justin) Collins put me on there.

Athletes you admire: My cousins, Trina Barcarola, Johnny Barcarola and Alex Long. They’re really big inspirations because they are so good at what they do. It’s nice having other family members who do well.

Did they draw you into track? Actually, Trina and Johnny did. Last year when I was hurt with my shoulder I couldn’t really play tennis so I had to take a break. They said, ‘Why don’t you come do track?’ I fell in love with it, and that’s why I try to balance both this year.

Any sports teams you follow: My dad likes Dallas Cowboys fan so I watch that a little bit, but I mostly like tennis.

Is there one tennis player you have to watch if they are on TV? Roger Federer. He’s such a legend that every time I see him I’m so inspired that I try to be at least somewhat like him.

What parts of his game have you tried to incorporate into your game? Definitely his serve and forehand because they are such weapons that I try to make those a weapon in my game.

What is your best weapon? I’d say my forehand. I can really dictate play if I get it exactly where I want it.

How did you get involved in tennis? I saw my dad play when I was about 9 years old so I tried it out.

Superstitions or rituals on match day? No, but in the bigger matches like against Holy Cross, Abington Heights and Delaware Valley, I like to get in a zone and I don’t like to talk to people. I know I have to play my best tennis so I get into the zone that day. I don’t do anything specific to get in it, though.

Three people you’d like to have dinner with. My mom, my dad and my sister.

After high school, what are your plans? I’d like to go to a Division I school for academics but also for tennis. That’s something I’d really like to do. I’d like to study business.

Most famous athlete you’ve ever met? Victoria Azarenka at the U.S. Open in 2013. She was signing books at a stand so I went up and had her sign my book.

States are coming up in less than two weeks. Any expectations? I’m just going to go out there and see what happens. Going into districts, my coach said I had a target on my back because I was the number-one seed and expected to win. So I had a lot of pressure on me and I kind of let it get to me in that last match with Jack. Going into states I just want to play my game and do the best I can. I’m just going to go out there and play.

What part of your game do you need to develop? I’d say my backhand. It can be steady at moments but sat other times it can really let me down. I feel like developing that would be really, really good.

Track Districts Postponed

The 2018 District II AA Track and Field Championships scheduled for today at Scranton High School have been POSTPONED to tomorrow, Wednesday, May 15, 2018, same times.

Mike Minor to speak at Varsity Club Sports Banquet on May 29th

Western Wayne alumni Mike Minor will be the guest speaker at this year’s Varsity Club 18th Annual Sports Banquet on Tuesday evening, May 29th at Ladore Conference Center in Waymart.  Mike is a 2x Paralympian medalist, representing the United Stated this year in Pyeongchang, South Korea, including a gold medal. Mike graduated from Western Wayne in 2008 and participated in Wrestling and Soccer while in high school.

Robert Spagna Varsity Track Championships – Lady Cats Winners in AA again!

Our Varsity Track and Field teams competed at the Robert Spagna League Championship Meet held at Scranton Memorial Stadium yesterday. Our girls finished 1st in AA out of 9 schools and 2nd overall (against AAA competition), losing only to Abington Heights, a larger school that just set the record for most consecutive dual meet wins in Lackawanna League history. Note that scoring goes out to eight places, and the place mentioned also accounts for going against AAA compeition, teams we will not see at districts. The girls were led by Trina Barcarola’s 3rd Place and new school record Pole Vault finish of 11′-6″, breaking her old school record of 11’0″. Trina finished 2nd in the 300 Hurdles with a new school record time of 45.74, breaking Michelle Morcom’s old record of 45.93 set back in 2004. Trina also finished 2nd in the 100 Hurdles and teamed up with Samantha Atcavage, Annie Skirpan, and Gianna DeBastiani to earn a 2nd place medal in the 4 by 400 Relay with a time of 4:08.16, which is now 5th all time. Annie also took 3rd in the 400 and 7th in the 800. Samantha added a 6th place finish in the 300 Hurdles. Gianna also took 4th in the Long Jump and teamed up with Cassidy Asinski, Noelle Orehek, and Elizabeth Pulice to earn 6th place points in the 4 by 100 Relay. Sydney Krompasky took 5th in the Pole Vault, while Esmerelda Mendez took 4th in the Discus and 6th in the Shot Put. Maya Black and Kaila Johnson tied for 8th place in the High Jump. The 4 by 800 Relay team of Victoria Hutchinson, Morgan Wagner, Haley Estus, and Lilly Black took 7th.

The Boys finished 4th in the AA standings. Leading the way was Evan Coons, whose throw of 134′-07″ earned him a 3rd place finish as well as the 4th best throw in school history. Johnny Barcarola finished 3rd in the Long Jump, Dylan Walck finished 5th in the Javelin, and Ed Sledzinski finished 6th in the Shot Put. The 4 by 800 Relay team of Brandon O’Sullivan, Jake Pasake, Ryan Cavage, and Leonard Johnson finished 4th. Jake also placed 7th in the 3200.

Both teams are at it Tuesday at Scranton Memorial Stadium for the PIAA District II Class AA Championship Meet, with a start time of 3pm. The finals of events start at 5:30pm. The girls look to defend their title from last year, while the boys look to compete for their first district title since the 2015 season. #RollCats

Girls Junior High Track Champions!

Our Junior High Track and Field Teams competed at the Phil Tochelli Junior High League Championship Meet held at Scranton Memorial Stadium. Our Girls finished in 1st Place AA out of 12 schools. Please note in the summary below that top eight score points.

Leading the way for the girls was Ella Pavlovich, who placed second in the High Jump, won the Triple Jump, and was a member of the winning 4 by 100 Relay, along with Rylee Sheehan, Gabby Tetreault, and Hayley Kovaleski. Gabby also placed third in the 200. Sydney Hutchinson placed second in the long jump and the 400. Ella Dougher placed second in the 300 Hurdles and fourth in the High Jump and 100 Hurdles Noelle Cruz placed seventh in the Long Jump. Lina Piccalino placed sixth in the Triple Jump. Leah Kellogg placed fourth in the Shot Put. Jayden Gregory and Aubrey Layton placed fourth and fifth in the Discus, respectively. The 4 by 800 team of Makayla Gregory, Maleigh Eldred, Rachel Butler, and Trinity Foulds placed fourth. Rylee Sheehan and Ella Pavloich placed fifth and seventh in the 100. Madison Kammer and Audrey Lawlor placed sixth and eighth in the 1600, respectively. Madison also placed seventh in the 800. Loida Martinez placed eighth in the 300 Hurdles. The 4 by 400 team of Loida Martinez, Rylee Sheehan, Katie Herlihy, and Sydney Hutchinson placed fifth.

Our Junior High Boys were led by Morgan Coccodrilli, who took sixth in the 400 and seventh in the Long Jump and 100. Richie Reed placed sixth in the Triple Jump. Jake Kopzca took sixth in both the 100 and 200.

Nice job to everyone this season and we look forward to building upon this year’s success next year! #RollCats

SAFE2SAY

Safe2Say Something is a youth violence prevention
program run by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.
The program teaches youth and adults how to recognize
warning signs and signals, especially within social media,
from individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others
and to “say something” BEFORE it is too late.

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