Top high school teams to be featured on Fox Sports Net
Thomas Jefferson High School's Oct. 11 football game at Trinity High School be the fifth game broadcast on Fox Sports Net Pittsburgh's Thursday night television package, ensuring a large audience for the WPIAL Class AAA Big Seven Conference contest.
This game will also be picked up by Fox Sports Net as its Nike Game of the Week. FSN operates 18 regional networks and employees did a site survey of Hiller Stadium on July 26.
Coached by veteran Bill Cherpak, the Jaguars advanced to the WPIAL Class AAA semifinals for a remarkable ninth straight time in 2006 with a fourth consecutive appearance in WPIAL championship game. The Jaguars (14-1) won their second WPIAL title in three years and reached the PIAA Class AA semifinals.
Trinity is under the guidance of veteran head coach Ed Dalton. Last fall the Hillers compiled a 6-4 overall record and lost to Hopewell in the opening round of the WPIAL Class AAA playoffs. With the prime-time television audience, the Hillers will hope to avenge a 30-0 loss at Thomas Jefferson in 2006.
Another scholastic football game to be televised nationally is Yough at Jeannette on Sept. 14 on ESPNU. Jeannette features heralded recruit Terrelle Pryor, the nation's top-ranked senior according to rivals.com. The Jayhawks went 14-2 overall last season, won the WPIAL Class AA championship and advanced to the PIAA Class AA title game before losing by one point to Wilson Area.
Yough went 8-2 a year ago and tied for the WPIAL Interstate Conference title with Greensburg Central Catholic as both teams went 7-1. The Cougars lost 21-14 to Center High School in the opening round of the WPIAL playoffs.
High roller
Derrick Stewart, a 13 year old who will be an eighth-grade student at Elizabeth Forward Middle School, won the Division 2 crown of the United States Bowling Congress Youth Championship last month in Buffalo, N.Y.
He advanced to the finals with victories over Ryan Kilwein of North Dakota (183-146), Shane McGrady of Central Pennsylvania (149-137), Brandon Rinker of Washington (148-143), and Mykel Gallegos of Arizona (155-139).
In the finals, Stewart overcame a 195-167 defeat to Eric Henderson of Salem, Ill., with victories by scores of 152-147 and 181-127 to win the national crown and a $2,000 scholarship.
More Madia
Blainesburg resident Sam Madia continued his reputation as one of the nation's finest senior track and field competitors after a most successful performance at the U.S. Track and Field East Regionals Masters on the campus of East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania on July 21.
The 83-year-old retired technology education college professor and local artist earned gold medals in the 100 meters (18 seconds), 400 meters (1:49), javelin (17.6 meters), shot put (26-10) and discus (19.6 meters). He also finished in second place in the 200 meter race.
In June, Madia achieved five gold medals and one silver medal at the 17th Annual Dayton Track Classic held on the campus of Dayton University in Ohio. At this event, which was sanctioned by the U.S. Track and Field Association and sponsored by the Dayton Masters Track Club Inc., Madia won the 100, 200, and 400-meter runs as well as the shot put and discus while placing second in the javelin. He began the outdoor season by winning two gold medals (100 and 200 meters) and one silver medal (pentathlon) at the 37th annual Southeastern Master Track and Field Championships at Duke University on May 4-5 in Durham, N.C.
Next up for the always enthusiastic and positive Madia will be the West Virginia Senior Games on Friday.
Veltri bids adieu
Frank Veltri, one of the premiere and original players in the Pittsburgh Masters Over 40 Soccer League, has retired because of physical difficulties.
Veltri played this spring for Straub's Mon Valley United Mad Dogs team in the Pittsburgh Masters Soccer League Over 40 circuit, and previously played for the Elizabeth Forward team, which has since divided into two separate teams.
Before retiring this spring, Veltri, a highly successful business entrepreneur, scored six goals with three assists after producing seven goals and two assists last fall. In the spring of 2006, Veltri totaled two goals with five assists after netting nine goals with three assists in the fall 2005 season.
"Frank was one of the original Mad Dog Over 40 players who was a formidable striker for us over the years and will be sorely missed," said John Pastor, player-coach of Straub's Mon Valley United Mad Dogs team.
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