2023-2024 News
Katie Rose Rankin Named PAC Newcomer of the Year for Women’s Golf
Former North Allegheny golf standout and current freshman at Westminster College, Katie Rose Rankin, was named the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Year on Saturday. She finished in third place at the PAC Women’s Golf Championships with a four-round score of 329 at Mill Creek Golf Course. Rankin carded back-to-back 78’s Friday and Saturday.
Her performance helped the Westminster Titans win their sixth-straight PAC team title and eighth overall. Rankin also earned First-Team All-PAC recognition.
Emma Halle recognized on CWPA Division III All-Conference Teams
BRIDGEPORT, Pa. – Washington & Jefferson College junior Emma Halle (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny) earned All-Conference honors from the 2024 Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA), the organization announced Wednesday afternoon.
Halle was listed on the Second Team by the CWPA. She emerged as the top scoring threat for the Presidents in her debut season. The junior has totaled 66 goals through the conclusion of the regular season.
Halle scored a season-high seven goals in a home win over Grove City on March 10. Halle scored five goals or more in seven different games this season.
Athletes are selected based on nominations from each institutions’ head coach. The nominations are compiled for a ballot from which the coaches select 12 field athletes and two goalies from other institutions.
Coaches also select a Most Valuable Player (MVP), Coach of the Year and Rookie of the Year based on nominations from the institutions – with the ability to vote for their own nominations for the three awards.
Unlike 2019, 2022 and 2023 when the All-Conference team was divided into East and West Regions, the 2024 squad encompasses the current nine CWPA Division III institutions (Augustana, Austin College, Carthage College, Connecticut College, Grove City College, Macalester, Penn State Behrend, Washington & Jefferson College, Wheaton College (Mass.)).
(Photo and press release courtesy of W&J College Athletics).
Ayden Owens-Delerme’s National Record Qualifies For Olympics
WALNUT, Calif. – Winning the Invitational decathlon at the 64th Mt. SAC Relays on Thursday, North Allegheny High School and Arkansas alum Ayden Owens-Delerme accomplished several milestones with his career-best score of 8,732 points to surpass the Paris Olympic Games qualifying standard.
Owens-Delerme broke his Puerto Rican national record of 8,532 points that he established in placing fourth at the 2022 World Championships. He also set the world-leading mark for 2024 in bettering the 8,708 produced by German Leo Neugebauer of Texas during the Texas Relays in March.
The Mt. SAC Relays meet record of 8,727 set by Dave Johnson in 1992 was also surpassed by Owens-Delerme’s performance, which places him as the No. 20 performer on the world all-time list ahead of Johnson.
The second day of the decathlon started with Owens-Delerme claiming 1,010 points from a 13.73 in the 110m hurdles.
In the discus, Owens-Delerme reached a mark of 150-11 (46.00) for 788 points. Two career-best heights in the pole vault produced 941 points for Owens-Delerme on a third attempt clearance of 16-8.75 (5.10).
Another career best followed in the javelin as a distance of 194-6 (59.28) picked up 727 points as Owens-Delerme generated a score of 8,086 going into the final event – the 1,500m.
A time of 4:45.59 added 646 points to reach a PR score that accomplished so much for Owens-Delerme, who qualified for his first Olympic Games.
(Photo and press release courtesy of Arkansas University Athletics).
Christian Duckworth Sets Pole Vault Record At CMU, Named UAA Athlete of the Week
(ROCHESTER, N.Y.) – Sophomore Christian Duckworth of the Carnegie Mellon University men’s outdoor track and field team was named University Athletic Association (UAA) Athlete of the Week for field events. The sophomore earns the honor following his performance at the West Virginia Stan Romanoski Open this past Saturday.
Duckworth placed third in the pole vault clearing the bar at a school record height of 4.70 meters. The old school record was 4.66 meters set by Tommy Mansfield in 2017. His height is currently tops in the UAA and tied for third nationally.
Next up for the Tartans is their home invitational on Friday and Saturday, March 22-23. Events kickoff on Friday afternoon at 2:00 p.m.
(Photo and press release courtesy of Carnegie Mellon University Athletics).
Brynn Serbin Named All-American, 1st Team All-Region At Ohio Northern
Ohio Northern fifth-year senior All-American Brynn Serbin (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny) received two honors on Tuesday. She also received WBCA NCAA Division III Coaches’ All-American Honorable Mention laurels on Wednesday. This marks the second season Serbin has earned All-American honors
Serbin was selected to participate in Saturday’s NABC All-Star game in Columbus ahead of the NCAA III Championship game.
She was also named First Team All-District 7 for the second consecutive season by D3hoops.com.
Serbin became the first women’s basketball player in Ohio Northern history to record a career with at least 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 400 assists and 300 steals.
In 124 career games at ONU, including 81 starts, she ends her career as ONU’s all-time leader in assists with 402 and steals with 303.
Serbin ranks second on the school’s all-time career scoring list with 1,349 points. She ranks third all-time with 194 made 3-pointers in her career, is 10th all-time in made free throws with 229, is 12th all-time in rebounds with 593 and fourth all-time with 463 made field goals.
Named an All-American by D3hoops.com and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association in addition to earning OAC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors last season, Serbin entered the 2023-24 campaign as a D3hoops.com Preseason First Team All-American.
The WBCA All-Star game will take place on Saturday at 4 pm at Capital. A total of 20 players will be divided into two teams of 10 for the game.
(Press release and photo courtesy of Ohio Northern University Athletics).
Ayden Owens To Be Inducted Into Pennsylvania HS Track & Field Hall of Fame
Former North Allegheny track and field standout, Ayden Owens, has been selected for the Pennsylvania High School Track and Field Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 25, 2024, during the PIAA Track and Field Championship Meet at Shippensburg University.
Owens (’18) was an outstanding all-around performer at North Allegheny, whose accomplishments include:
- Two-time PIAA (AAA) 110m Hurdles champion (2017, 2018) setting a new meet record each time (13.76, 13.69)
- Three-time PIAA (AAA) 300m Hurdles champion (2016-2018)
- First place at the USA Junior Olympic Meet in the 400m Hurdles (2016)
- National Scholastic Outdoor high school decathlon champion (2017) setting a Pennsylvania Record of 7009 points
- Pennsylvania Indoor Record 55m Hurdles 7.05 (2018) en route
- PTFCA Indoor State Meet 60m Hurdles champion (2018) setting a Meet Record 7.74
- National Scholastic Indoor 60m Hurdles champion (2018), setting a Pennsylvania Indoor Record 7.59
- Two-time National Scholastic Indoor Pentathlon silver medalist (2017, 2018)
- All-American: Track & Field News Second Team 110m Hurdles (2018)
The Hall of Fame was established in 1995 to honor the elite individuals in our state’s distinguished track and field history. A selection committee consisting of thirty coaches, officials, and journalists collects and reviews information about individuals who have been nominated. Further research is conducted, and a new ballot is formed each summer. Voting by the selection committee takes place in the fall, and the newly elected members are inducted at the PIAA State Championship Meet.
Each year, 6-to-12 athletes, one coach, one contributor, and one distinguished alum are inducted. Athletes become eligible for nomination five years after their high school graduation. Once nominated, a candidate remains under consideration in perpetuity. The committee currently has information on over 400 athletes, 100 coaches, and 50 contributors – more than a century’s worth of outstanding individuals – who have been nominated but not yet inducted. Those wishing to share details about deserving candidates are encouraged to submit a nomination through the PTFCA website (ptfca.org)
Joey Porter Jr. Named Joe Greene Performance Award Recipient
It’s the time of year when honors are handed out at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex and that was the case when rookie cornerback Joey Porter Jr. was honored by the Pittsburgh Chapter of Pro Football Writers of America with the Joe Greene Great Performance Award.
The Joe Greene Great Performance Award was established in 1984 and named after the legendary Hall of Famer and presented each year to the Steelers’ top rookie.
Porter, a North Allegheny graduate, is the third Steelers cornerback to win the award, joining Delton Hall, who won it in 1987 and Chad Scott, who won the honor in 1997.
Porter was drafted by the Steelers in the second-round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the 32nd overall pick, out of Penn State. Porter made a name for himself with his aggressive style of play for the Nittany Lions. He brought that same aggressive style to the Steelers.
Porter’s playing time gradually grew through the first six games of the season, and by Week 8 he earned a starting role when the team played the Jacksonville Jaguars and never looked back.
“I think about that often,” said Porter. “If I played Week 1, I don’t know how my body would feel right now. I am glad they slowed the process down for me and I am feeling hot right now.
“I am feeling great. It is definitely a long season. Around this time last year, I was getting ready for bowl prep already and hanging out with the family. But we have more games left. With that aspect, it’s mentally and physically draining. But this is what I signed up for. I am not complaining. I get to do what I love to do every day.”
Through 16 games, and with Saturday’s regular season finale against the Ravens still on deck, Porter has 42 tackles, 32 of them solo stops, and one tackle for a loss. He also has 10 passes defensed and one interception, which occurred in the team’s first meeting against the Ravens.
Porter said there are areas he still wants to focus on in his game, while at the same time knowing he has grown as the season has progressed.
“I feel like there are a lot of areas that I need to work on, and I am still working on,” said Porter. “Overall, I have grown as a player. I am happy where I am and there is still work to do.”
(Press release and photo courtesy of Pittsburgh Steelers).
Ava Ruppersberger Named To Scholar All-America Team
Former North Allegheny standout and current member of the William Smith College soccer team, Ava Ruppersberger, was named to the 2023 United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division III Women’s Scholar All-America teams this week.
The 2023 Liberty League Player of the Year, Ruppersberger started all 19 games this season. She led the Herons with nine goals and 22 points. She had three multi-goal games this season, including a hat trick against Rensselaer in the semifinals of the Liberty League tournament. Ruppersberger was named a second team All-American by the United Soccer Coaches.
A biology major, Ruppersberger also earned 2023 United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-East first team recognition. She is a two-time College Sports Communicators Academic All-District selection and a three-time Liberty League All-Academic pick. She has played in 63 career games, accumulating 52 points on 18 goals and 16 assists.
To be named to the Scholar All-America teams, a student-athlete must be at least a junior in athletic standing, have a minimum 3.40 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale), play a minimum of 75 percent of games during the season and be an elite player as supported by playing honors (i.e. All-American, All-Region, all-conference).
The Herons concluded the 2023 season ranked 20th in the United Soccer Coaches poll. William Smith was 14-1-4 overall with a 6-0-3 mark in conference play, earning their 16th consecutive Liberty League regular season title. The Herons earned an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament following 1-0 win over RIT in the Liberty League Championship game. William Smith advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament where it was edged by Bowdoin 1-0 in overtime.
(Information and photo courtesy of William Smith College Athletics).
Schupansky Ranked No. 13 On Top Drawer Soccer’s Top 100 List
The University of Pittsburgh women’s soccer team saw four Panthers named to the TopDrawerSoccer Top-100 Post-Season Lists, including former North Allegheny standout Sarah Schupansky.
Schupansky landed on the ranking list. Schupansky comes in as the highest ranked Panther on the postseason list in program history.
As the first ever Panther to be named to the All-ACC First Team, Schupansky was able to make her name known this season. The Pittsburgh, PA native started in 22 games out of the record 24 games played this season – totaling 1633 minutes. She now has her name on the single season points record after posting 11 goals and 14 assists on the season. The Junior adds this accolade next to TopDrawerSoccer Best XI Second Team honors, United Soccer Coaches All-Atlantic Region Second Team honors, College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team honors, and United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-America honors.
Schupansky helped the Pitt women’s soccer program see their most successful season in history. Pitt set program records for most wins overall (17), ACC wins (6), home wins (9), points (194), goals (64) and assists (66). The Panthers posted five top 25 wins including defeating three teams in the top ten. Pitt also advanced to the ACC Championship Semifinal and NCAA Elite Eight fields for the first time in program history.
(Information and photo courtesy of University of Pittsburgh Athletics).
Mack Leftwich Named Broyles Award Nominee
SAN MARCOS, Texas – Texas State offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich, and former North Allegheny state star quarterback, was named a nominee for the 2023 Broyles Award, which is an annual honor given to the best assistant coach in college football.
Leftwich, who works with the Texas State quarterbacks in addition to his play-calling duties, was one of 57 nominees announced by the Broyles Foundation for this year’s award.
In his first season as the Bobcats’ offensive coordinator, Leftwich has helped lead Texas State to being the Sun Belt Conference’s top offense and one of the best units in the nation. The Bobcats are averaging a Sun Belt-best 34.9 points per game, which is 21st in the country, and 463.1 yards per game, which is 13th in the nation. The offense is powered by a run game that ranks 16th in the country with 200.7 yards per game.
The Broyles Award, which has been celebrating excellence in assistant coaching since 1996, will announce its semifinalists on Tuesday, Nov. 21 and finalists on Tuesday, Nov. 28. The winner will be announced on Tuesday, Dec. 5 at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, Ark.
At North Allegheny, Leftwich was a two-year starter at quarterback and led the Tigers to a PIAA championship in 2012 and back-to-back WPIAL crowns in 2011 and 2012. As a senior, Leftwich was named the Quad-A State Player of the Year by the Pennsylvania Sports Writers. Leftwich, one the most prolific passers in North Allegheny history, became only the third quarterback in WPIAL history in 2012 to throw for over 3,000 yards in a single season. For his career, Leftwich amassed over 7,000 yards of total offense, along with 91 total touchdowns (65 passing, 26 rushing).
(Coaching information and above photo courtesy of Texas State Athletics).
Ava Ruppersberger Named Liberty League Player of the Year
LIBERTY LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Ava Ruppersberger, Senior, Midfielder, William Smith College
William Smith College senior midfielder and former North Allegheny standout, Ava Ruppersberger, was recognized as Liberty League Player of the Year. Ruppersberger has played and started all 17 games for the Herons this season while pacing the team and league in scoring with 22 points. She also leads the league in shots (59), shots per game (3.47), goals (9), goals per game (.529), and points per game (1.29). She dished out four assists and recorded three game-winning tallies, tying her among league leaders. Ruppersberger had a season-high six points in the Liberty League semifinals and totaled 10 shots in the tournament en route to William Smith capturing its 19th overall league title and first since 2021.
Misutka Lands Spot on PL Women’s Cross Country Academic All-League Team
LEWISBURG, Pa.- The Bucknell Bison women’s cross country team continued its historically strong academic standing by placing junior runner Keeley Misutka on the league’s annual Academic Team.
Misutka, a chemistry major from Pittsburgh and North Allegheny High School, owns a sparkling grade point average of 3.96, an outstanding mark regarding chemistry’s demanding coursework and the rigorous responsibilities of Division I athletics. She has been just as successful on the running fields. She was a 2022 All-League performer. In the 2023 season, Misutka collected four top-20 placements. She started the season, finishing 20th at the Harry Lang Invitational. Misutka earned 11th running in her home territory outside Pittsburgh at the RMU Colonial Invitational. In the ECAC/IC4A Championships Open Race, the junior finished fourth. At last weekend’s Patriot League Championships, her 20th place finish was the third-best Bison time, allowing the squad to grab fourth.
Misutka and the Bison aren’t finished with the season. They will run at the Mid-Atlantic Regionals on Nov. 10. Lehigh University will serve as the host site. Bucknell already raced on Lehigh’s course at the Paul Short Run on Sept. 30.
(Press release and photo courtesy Bucknell University Athletics).
Hailey Wachowiak Named First-Team All-NCAC
Former North Allegheny field hockey standout and Washington & Jefferson College senior forward, Hailey Wachowiak, was named to the 2023 All-North Coast Athletic Conference Team on Monday.
The All-NCAC Teams and award winners were determined based on a vote on the conference’s 11 head coaches.
Following the conclusion of the regular season, Wachowiak ranked second in goals (14) and second in points (32) in the NCAC. Wachowiak posted team highs in goals, points and shots this season en route to the First Team recognition.
Wachowiak earned all-conference honors in each of her three seasons for the Red and Black. This marks her second First Team honor, as she received that status from the Empire 8 following her junior season. Wachowiak finishes her career fifth in program history with 40 goals and fifth in program history with 92 points.
W&J finished 4-6 in its first season in the NCAC. The Presidents posted a 6-10 overall record.
(Press release and photo courtesy of W&J College Athletics).
Anna Bundy Named To Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Former North Allegheny standout and Duquesne freshman, Anna Bundy, has been named to the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team for the 2023 season, released today in the End of Season Awards announcement by the conference office.
Bundy netted three goals in her freshman campaign ranking third on the team. She played impactful minutes in all 20 matches and was named the A-10 Rookie of the Week on Sept. 25 after scoring the game-winner in a 1-0 road win at Rhode Island. Bundy scored two of her three goals in conference play and finished the year with seven shots, four of which on goal.
Duquesne finished the season with an 8-8-4 record, the highest win total since 2017, and made the program’s third-ever A-10 semifinal appearance.
Sarah Schupansky Becomes First Pitt Soccer Player Named All-ACC First Team
Former North Allegheny standout, Sarah Schupansky, was selected to the All-ACC First-Team – becoming the only Panther to ever receive this honor. The forward is paving the way for the Panthers – leading in goals (10), assists (10) and points (30). Schupansky earned the ACC Offensive Player of the Week honors in the first week of play this season after her key set pieces in the matchup against Bucknell. Her efforts throughout the season have helped the Panthers make history by upsetting Duke, breaking the program record in goals, assists, points, ACC Wins and first ever win in the ACC Championships. In the historic game against UNC, Schupansky posted the second assisted on the game winning goal. This was the first ever win against the Tar Heels in program history which secured the Panthers’ spot in the ACC Championship Semifinals.
Schupansky is currently ranked in the top-10 in the ACC for assists per game (0.53), game-winning goals (3), goals per game (0.53), shot accuracy (0.500), points per game (1.58), shots per game (2.95), shots on goal per game (1.47), total assists (10), total goals (10), and total points (30). Schupansky also earned a spot on the TopDrawerSoccer mid-season Top-100 list – coming in at No. 42.
(Press release and photo courtesy of University of Pittsburgh Athletics).
Hole-In-One For Katie Rose Rankin At Grove City Invitational
Former North Allegheny golfing standout and Westminster College freshman, Katie Rose Rankin, helped the Titans to a first-place finish at the Grove City Invitational on Thursday.
Michael McNaughton Ban Memorial Alumni Regatta
On Saturday September 16th generations of the NA Rowing community gathered at Moraine State Park to row in mixed lineups and reminisce about their experiences and achievements as NA Tigers. All said, 26 alumni jumped back into racing shells, and even more stayed on land with families and current rowers to cheer on their teammates.
The day started with two heats and progression to an A and B Final. The morning wrapped with a picnic and presentation of the Micheal McNaughton Ban Alumni trophy to the day’s winners, who rowed in the Michael McNaughton Ban ‘04 4x shell (which was christened last fall). The line-up was composed of Christopher Ban ‘01 Jordan Ellis ‘04 Bill Francis ‘07 and Anthony Bertucci ‘25.
Alumni gathered again later in the evening for dinner and to honor Class of ‘04 Grad Michael McNaught Ban whos legacy as a fierce competitor, role model, brother, and scholar of the sport the team is working to memorialize in conjunction with the Ban family in the in the form of the Michael McNaughton Ban Memorial Boathouse.
NARA looks forward to hosting the event again next year and encourages alumni to contact na.row.info@gmail.com and follow the team on social media if they were not contacted for this year’s event.
Anna Bundy Named Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Duquesne freshman and former North Allegheny standout, Anna Bundy, has been named the Atlantic 10 Conference Rookie of the Week, announced by the league office on Monday afternoon.
Bundy, a freshman forward from Wexford, Pa., propelled the Dukes to their first conference victory of the season on Thursday at Rhode Island with a game-winning goal in the 84th minute of the 1-0 victory. In a game destined for a tie, scoreless nearing five minutes to play, Bundy raced down the field and set herself up in perfect position to receive a pass from Margey Brown and tapped in the game-winner from five yards out. It was the second goal of Bundy’s career and first game winner.
(Press release and photo courtesy of Duquesne University Athletics).
Hailey Wachowiak Named NCAC Player of the Week
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Washington & Jefferson College senior Hailey Wachowiak (Wexford, PA/North Allegheny) picked up North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Field Hockey Player of the Week honors, the conference announced Monday afternoon.
Wachowiak tallied nine points last week as the Presidents opened up NCAC play. Wachowiak netted her fourth career hat trick in a tough 4-3 overtime loss to Allegheny. The senior then added a goal and an assist in W&J’s 4-0 win over Oberlin. Her 32 goals now ranks fifth all time on all the W&J all-time goal list.
This is the fourth Player of the Week honor during Wachowiak’s career.
(Photo and press release courtesy of W&J College Athletics).
Katie Rose Rankin Earns 2nd Straight PAC Newcomer of the Week Award
Malia Duffy Named PAC Defensive Player of the Week
Mia Tuman Garners Big Ten Setter of the Week Honors
The Big Ten announced its weekly women’s volleyball awards for the first time of the 2023 season on Monday. Freshman setter and former North Allegheny standout, Mia Tuman, was named Big Ten Setter of the Week and earned a spot on the all-tournament team for her opening-weekend play at the NKU Tournament.
Tuman began her collegiate career in dominant fashion, averaging 11.60 assists per set through Ohio State’s three wins (at least 11.00 assists per set in each of the three matches). She also averaged 2.40 digs per set and hit .500 on the weekend. Tuman’s 2.40 digs per set led the team among non-liberos playing more than one set during the weekend. Tuman earned her first career double-double in a five-set win against Bowling Green, finishing the match with 55 assists and 14 digs (just one shy of OSU’s libero for the match-high) and adding four kills on five swings without an error (.800 hit percentage). She totaled 37 assists and eight digs in the season-opening sweep at NKU, also recording an ace and a kill. Tuman wrapped up the weekend with 24 assists, two service aces and two digs in two sets in the sweep of ETSU.
(Photo and press release courtesy Ohio State University Athletics).
Sarah Schupansky named ACC Offensive Player of the Week
Pitt women’s soccer junior forward and former North Allegheny standout, Sarah Schupansky, has been named ACC Offensive Player of the Week, the league announced Tuesday. This is Schupansky’s first time receiving this honor.
Schupansky is the No. 21 Pitt Panther’s leader in points so far this season, totaling nine points. In Thursday evening’s matchup against Kent State, Schupansky launched an impeccable corner kick for the assist of freshman Lainie Fuchs who scored the game winning goal. The junior secured two more goals on the week in the matchup against the Bucknell Bisons. Schupansky’s first goal was a direct shot on goal that found the back of the net after Bucknell’s goalie helped tip it in. Her second goal of the afternoon came from a beautiful decision made in her penalty kick. This shot brought the Panthers up to a 5-0 shutout against Bucknell. The Pittsburgh, PA native has recorded four goals and two assists thus far in the 2023 season, totaling 153 minutes.
Schupansky extended her career records in points (51), assists (15) and goals (18).
(Photo and press release courtesy of University of Pittsburgh Athletics).
