Recently in College Spotlight Category

Ok, while looking for some college spotlight information to post here, I thought hey let's look at Bucknell because I know the YAIAA has a few alumni playing sports there.

So, I did that, but something caught my eye and that was the release of the various NCAA Division I Patriot League all-academic teams.

I liked that even better and started my write up until I looked around and found nine former YAIAA student-athletes that made the list.

Considering the fact the Patriot League boasts academic schools like Bucknell, Colgate, Lehigh, Lafayette, Holy Cross and the Army Academy, garnering such status is a well-deserved honor that doesn't come without extreme efforts.

So, in no particular order is the athlete (high school), college (class when award given), sport, GPA, major:

Stephanie Evans (Central York), Bucknell (junior), track, 3.95, chemical engineering.

Ashley Beans (Hanover), Bucknell (senior), softball, 3.66, economics.

Katie McDonald (West York), Bucknell (senior), softball, 3.50 psychology.

Whitney Brown (York Suburban), Bucknell (junior), swimming, 3.83 psychology/economics.

Jake Schroeder (York Suburban), Bucknell (sophomore), track, 3.58, economics/German.

Michael Simmons (South Western), Army (senior), 3.73, track, mechanical engineering.

Robert Blum (South Western), Lafayette (senior), track, 3.35, mechanical engineering.

Zach McClain (Dallastown), Army (senior), swimming-diving, 3.27, civil engineering.

Katherine Johnescu (York Suburban), Colgate (freshman), rowing, 3.48, undeclared.

Solid careers on the field and outstanding performance where it is most important.

Back in June, Dallastown grad Jamie Maloney received a terrific recognition when she was awarded the inaugural women's PSAC Sportsmanship Award.

The award is given to a female and male athlete who exemplifies the spirit of sportsmanship and has demonstrated the values of respect and integrity through a specific action.

Maloney, who both swims and runs track at Clarion University, earned her acknowledgment at the PSAC swimming championships when she handed her goggles to a West Chester swimmer, who had broken hers just prior to a heat race.

The thing is, West Chester is typically Clarion's biggest rival during the PSAC season and the two schools had battled for many a conference dual-meet championship, yet Maloney didn't hesitate to help out and later would say, "It was no big deal."

She has also been involved with many community activities during her three years at the school. I recall speaking with Jamie several times while she was at Dallastown, the last of which came during the YAIAA track championships during her senior year with the Wildcats.

 Seeing this story doesn't surprise me one bit. Way to go, Jamie.

A couple of weeks ago, the Capital Athletic Conference submitted its All-Academic team, which I wrote a story about York College leading the way with the number of athletes on the list.

While thinking about the Spartan success in the classroom, I recalled a conversation I had in 2006 with York women's basketball coach Betsy Witman, shown below coaching her team against Baruch during the NCAA Division III tournament.

At the time, Witman's squad had finished second in the nation -- the Spartans were first in 2004-05 -- academically and like any coach she was hopeful that success would carry over to the court.

"We know we are smart," Witman said. "We have proven it now for how many years? Let's win a championship. Why can't we do both "

Well, this season York had 13 of its players on the CAC All-Academic list and on the floor won the CAC regular season title, plus made it to the NCAA Division III Sweet 16, finishing with a 27-3 record.

Congratulations coach Witman you reached your goal.

Ok, while Franklin & Marshall is in Lancaster and Caitlin Elfring is from Glen Rock New Jersey, not Pennsylvania, what the softball first baseman did is still nothing short of amazing.

Elfring did not strikeout all season.

That's right, no whiffs all season, which is simply an amazing stat in fastpitch softball where 60-plus mile per hour pitches come at you from less than 50-feet away.

Just finishing her junior season with the Diplomats, Elfring appeared in 35 games - 34 starts - with 78 at bats. On June 23, she was named the NCAA Division III's toughest to strike out.

Also, after making just one error in more than 190 chances, she is pretty good with the glove too.

Forgive Susquehannock grad Erin Clary if she finds championships to be habit forming.

Clary (above) was the shortstop on the Warriors back-to-back state Class AAA softball title-winning teams and followed that up this spring as a member of the Lock Haven University squad that won the NCAA Division II national championship.

Although she wasn't a regular participant this season, Clary did get in 26 of the Eagles' 57 games and hit a solid .357 in 14 at bats and had an on-base percentage of .471.
Also used as a pinch runner, she scored seven runs.

Clary made an appearance in Lock Haven's 8-0 championship win over Alabama-Huntsville when she pinch ran for designated player Brittany Muthard, but did score.

She is the only YAIAA alum on the Eagles' squad which finished 51-6 on the campaign, however there are several women who came from District 3 schools.

Of course, none had more of an impact than senior pitcher Kristen Erb, who posted a 50-5 record with a miniscule 0.47 earned run average.

The Exeter Township grad struck out 399 batters in 356 innings of work while walking just 26. She is a candidate for national player of the year honors.

Central York grad and Shippensburg freshman Katie Craven traveled to the NCAA Division II track and field championship last week and came home with an eighth-place trophy, shown below.

The former Panther star combined with Laura Henzy, Shannon Hare and Erica Hess on the Raiders' 1,600-meter relay squad that finished with a time of 3:48.57.

The foursome, shown below, earned All-American status, the second consecutive certificate earn by Ship's 4 X 400 relay.

At little known Division II Holy Family University, a Susquehannock grad has made her mark last fall on the women's volleyball team.

Freshman Jordan Beland led the Tigers in digs with 479, an average of 4.17 per game.

The all-state player in high school also tied for third on the team with 36 services aces.

Delone Catholic alum Matt Barto recently concluded a stand out baseball season for Delaware Valley College recently.

The former Squire, who is now a sophomore at DVC appeared in 29 games, hitting .318 with a team-high five home runs. He also drove in 33 runs, nearly one per game.

While there may not be any YAIAA graduates on the team, the Messiah College softball squad is heading to the NCAA Division III championships thanks in great part to a player from Dillsburg.

Northern High School grad Jessica Rhoads has been nothing short of sensational for the Falcons. The freshman has pitched in 32 games - 24 starts - posting a stellar 24-1 record with a miniscule 0.54 earned run average.

In 170 innings pitched she has struck out 311 batters and opponents are hitting just .079 against her.

Rhoads also plays the outfield and holds her own at the plate with a .349 batting average (22-of-63), plus has hammered five doubles and five home runs.

Messiah (39-4) will be at Montclair State starting Friday against fourth-ranked Ohio Northern University.

In other news from the diamond, Capital Athletic Conference champion Salisbury University also captured its regional and will be one of the eight teams at the championships. The Sea Gulls are led by catcher Lauren Brenneman, a Central York grad.

Last week's PSAC baseball tournament at Lancaster's Clipper Magazine Stadium was downgraded to a single-elimination competition thanks to the ongoing rains that plagued central Pennsylvania.

Several teams played on Tuesday and were slated to play again until the weather forced the loser's bracket to be scrapped.

Finally West Chester University knocked off Mercyhurst 16-2 on Thursday to win the title.
Susquehannock grad Josh Heyne and Brandon Wolfe of West York are on the victorious Ram squad. Both are shown below playing for their respective YAIAA schools.

For the fourth straight season Spring Grove grad Ryan Poff made the all-Capital Athletic Conference team after closing his career as one of Spartan coach Paul Saikia's best players.

Poff, was chosen for the all-CAC first team following a season in which he hit .423 with 53 runs batted in and six home runs. Plus, he struck out just 10 times in 163 at bats this season.

As a junior he was also a first team selection and was a second team selection his sophomore year. In 2006, he was selected as the CAC Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year.

Although not an official college team, the Shippensburg University women's rugby club (in action above in a photo provided by Dobson Images) traveled to Palo Alto, Calif. and returned to Central Pennsylvania as national champions.

The team's impressive 29-5 win over Stonehill College marked its second consecutive USA Rugby Division II title.

West York graduate Brittany Myers did her part by scoring a try in the second half of the championship contest.

Penn College in Williamsport once again had a terrific baseball season, which the Wildcats are hoping to continue at the United States Collegiate Athletic Association national championship tournament that gets underway May 12 in Hampton, Va.

Penn College won the PSUAC tournament last weekend and boasts a combined fall and spring season conference record of 28-3, 35-7 overall.

The Wildcats knocked off Penn State Abington and Penn State Brandywine during the run on Friday, then came back on Saturday and defeated Brandywine again in the title game.

Pitcher Mark Shaffer, a South Western grad see above while pitching American Legion baseball, picked up the win against Abington. The sophomore has an impressive 9-2 record on the mound this season. Other locals playing for Penn College include junior catcher and Central York alum James Craft, along with freshman outfielder-pitcher Alex Gingerich, a West York grad.

Colt Zarilla, a three-sport standout for Dover High School, is having a terrific freshman campaign for the Flying Dutchmen.

Zarilla, shown above playing for the Dover American Legion team, leads Lebanon Valley in five offensive categories, including hits with 56 and 43 runs scored.

His .373 batting average is second on the team and he is also tops in at bats (150), triples (3) and total bases (77).

Another YAIAA alum is having a great year for the Dutchman as well. Spring Grove's Derek Helwig is fourth on the team in hitting with his .358 average and his 35 runs batted in ranks him second.

The 6-foot-1 senior has also swiped 13 bases in 16 attempts, both of which are team highs.

Also on the Lebanon Valley roster is Dallastown grad Ian Younker, a freshman who has made seven appearances - one start - on the mound and holds an 0-1 record.

Sure, York College's Jeff Gamber (far left) has been named a Capital Athletic Conference Coach of the Year a few times over his long career at the school.

However, last Sunday Gamber, the longtime coach of the Spartan men's basketball team, earned CAC honors for his work with the golf team, which earned the conference championship with a 16-stroke victory over Wesley.

York's five players combined to shoot a 614 in the two-day event held at Piney Branch Golf Club in Hampstead, Md., including a 303 the group fired on the final day.

Freshman Adam Dupler (second from right in photo) shot a 75 in Round 1, followed by a 74 in Round 2. The Red Land alum garnered both the CAC Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year awards.

Central York grad Cody Trabert (third from left) did his part for the Spartans, carding a 159, good enough to tie for ninth overall for the weekend.

The CAC tourney was the fifth won by York dating back to the fall season.