JOHNSTOWN —
National letter-of-intent day on Wednesday had numerous area athletes committing to go to the colleges of their choices in a variety of different sports:
n Casey Gallaher, Forest Hills, St. Francis, soccer: A 5-foot-5 midfielder, Gallaher scored 45 goals and had 32 assists for the Rangers this season and holds the school record for goals (120) and assists (100).
In addition to being a four-year starter in soccer, she also was a four-year starter in basketball, where she topped 1,000 points in her junior year, and in track, where she holds two school individual records in the 400 and the 800 and is part of the school records in the 1600 and 3200 relays.
The daughter of Chip and Donna Gallaher will major in mathematics/computer science at St. Francis.
n Cody Law, Forest Hills, Penn State wrestling walk-on: Law has a career record of 101-26 for the Rangers and is currently ranked first in the state at 160.
The son of Trevor and Crystal Law finished second last year at the state championship.
n Kacie Erb, Forest Hills, Robert Morris, track/cross country: Erb is a four-year letterwinner and four-year state qualifier for cross country. She is also a three-year letterwinner in track and a state qualifier in the 3200 relay.
The daughter of James and Christine Erb will major in accounting.
n Ashley Lucas, Forest Hills, Penn State-Altoona, soccer: A strong defender and holding midfielder, the 5-6 Lucas was part of a Rangers defense that allowed only nine goals in 21 games her senior year.
Daughter of Brian and Shannon Lucas, she is a four-year starter and letterwinner in soccer.
n Ben Myers, Cambria Heights, St. Francis, football: Myers was part of a revival of the football program at Cambria Heights, as he helped the Highlanders go 7-4 last season, the team’s first winning record since 1998.
The 6-foot, 205-pound Myers was used at a number of positions by coach Jarrod Lewis.
As a running back he carried 29 times for 158 yards and a score. At receiver, he made seven receptions for 80 yards and a touchdown. At linebacker, Myers made 15 solo stops and 35 tackles.
He will play for St. Francis coach Chris Villarrial, a former All-Pro offensive lineman with the NFL’s Chicago Bears.
Myers is the son of Thomas and Brenda Myers.
n Nick Subich, Greater Johnstown, Lock Haven, football: Johnstown two-way standout Subich signed a letter to continue his education and career at Lock Haven University in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, one of the top NCAA Division II conferences.
Trojans coach Tony Penna Jr. credited Subich for his skill and leadership, especially during the past two seasons.
A three-year starter, Subich played on the offensive line and at linebacker.
He played guard as a sophomore and was center the past two seasons on offense.
Initially, Subich said he was recruited as a linebacker by Lock Haven but the Bald Eagles also might give him a look on the offensive line.
“I just loved the area,” Subich said. “Lock Haven has a relatively new coach, a young guy. He’s really inspiring. The players love him. They’re trying to rebuild the program and I like that. I’m really excited to be a part of the program.”
Subich has a 3.7 grade point average and he intends to major in political science.
He is the son of Brian Subich and Michael Jimerson, and stepmother Theresa Subich and stepfather Chris Jimerson.
n Judah Sandak, Greater Johnstown, Pitt-Johnstown, baseball: Sandak plays both outfield and infield for coach Dee Dee Osborne.
He will take that versatility to UPJ, which will compete in the PSAC during the next academic calendar year.
UPJ coach Todd Williams has built the one-struggling Mountain Cats program into a regular contender in the WVIAC and Division II.
“UPJ has a good team,” Sandak said. “I met with the coach and really liked his game plan and everything that is provided up there. It’s a good environment all around.
“I think playing for Johnstown prepared me very well,” he added. “Coach Dee Dee does a good job preparing players for the next level.”
He is the son of Richard and Janice Sandak of Johnstown.
n Brody LoBoi, Greater Johnstown, Mount Aloysius, baseball: A two-year starter, LoBoi is a right-handed pitcher and infielder for the Trojans.
He is expected to lead the rotation this spring for Osborne.
LoBoi will play for Mount Aloysius coach Kevin Kime, who has brought a winning tradition to the Mounties. Mount Aloysius advanced to the AMCC championship game in 2012 and had 20 wins in 2011.
“I like where the college located and what the coach has done with the team and the program,” LoBoi said. “He’s really turned it around. It’s a really nice place to spend my college years.
“With all that coach Osborne has taught me I feel I’m going to be ready for the next level.”
He is the son of Mike and Dawn LoBoi.
n Alkwan Williams, Greater Johnstown, IUP, football: Williams was part of Division I Temple’s class in 2012 after initially being recruited by former Pitt coach Todd Graham.
The 2011 Tribune-Democrat Defensive Player of the Year changed plans and already is on the IUP campus.
He will have freshman eligibility this fall.
Williams was the 60th-ranked outside linebacker and had a three-star rating by Scout.com in 2012. He initially had offers from Pittsburgh, Kent State and Toledo.
High School Sports
Area athletes commit to careers in college
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South all-stars drawing bead on North quarterbacks
Forget about getting Shorty, the South defense is getting geared up to cover North quarterbacks Danny Ferens of Penns Manor and Nathan Bearer of Cambria Heights on Friday night in the 43rd annual Ken Lantzy Finest 40 All-Star Football Game.
Oh, and the Rebs, who won 44-6 last year, will also be working on containing the rest of the Yankees’ offense as well. -
Bishop McCort’s title defense derailed by Johnsonburg
Bishop McCort coach Chris Pfeil credited Johnsonburg for its seemingly unlikely, if not miraculous comeback victory over the defending state champions on Friday afternoon.
But the veteran coach also conceded that the Crushers will probably spend a lot of time pondering what might have been in the aftermath of a 7-6 loss in 11 innings during a PIAA Class A quarterfinal playoff at Punxsutawney’s Rich Kuntz Memorial Field. -
Squandered chances cost the Crushers
The Bishop McCort baseball team tasted the sweetness of winning last year in its pursuit of the PIAA Class A title.
The Crimson Crushers experienced the bitterness of defeat Friday afternoon, ending their 11-game postseason win streak with a 7-6 loss to Johnsonburg in an 11-inning PIAA quarterfinal-round contest at Rich Kuntz Field. -
Somerset’s Ian Stiffler drafted by Atlanta Braves
Somerset boasts a proud baseball tradition. So much so, that a wall at the facility shared by the Somerset Golden Eagles and Somerset’s American Legion team lists those who have been drafted by a major-league club or have moved on to play collegiate baseball.
Time to find more paint. -
Bishop McCort expects close game
During last year’s run to the PIAA Class A championship, Bishop McCort baseball ran into a District 9 team in Elk County Catholic in the semifinals.
The Crushers scored five runs in the fifth inning and eight in the sixth, and left with a 17-0 victory. -
Ligonier Valley facing unbeaten opponent
The Ligonier Valley Rams continue their trek through the state playoffs reaching the state quarterfinal after a 6-5 victory over Chestnut Ridge on Monday.
They next play undefeated WPIAL champion Riverside at 4 p.m. today at Fairhaven Park in McKees Rocks. -
Seven Northern Cambria athletes choose colleges
Alex Atkins was a standout defenseman for the Northern Cambria Colts and the Tribune-Democrat Defensive Player of the Year. Now, he will continue to play football and further his education at Division I Brown University. Atkins and six of his classmates have committed to continue their athletic careers in college.
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Ian Stiffler is Athlete of the Week
Name: Ian Stiffler
School: Somerset
Year: Senior
Sport: Baseball -
Talented group of Shade athletes commits to college
The student-athletes from Shade’s graduating Class of 2013 rank among the more accomplished in recent Panthers’ history.
“It was quite a good year,” said Shade Athletic Director Mike Pribish, who also serves as co-coach of the Panthers’ football team. “We had a lot of success in a lot of different sports.” -
Six Trojans plan to continue athletic careers
Greater Johnstown High School honored six student-athletes who will continue their careers in college, and the district recognized two senior athletes for their contributions.
The ceremony took place Tuesday afternoon at Cochran Auditorium. - More High School Sports Headlines
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