More than 300 athletes honored at Northwestern Pennsylvania High School Sports Awards Show

Fort LeBoeuf High School's Xavier Dombkowski won the Courage Award on Monday night at the Northwestern Pennsylvania High School Sports Awards Show, presented by AHN Sports Medecine at Saint Vincent.

The show, which honored more than 300 of the best high school athletes in the area from nearly 30 sports, was produced with the support of Marquette Savings Bank, Fullerton Appliance Center, United States Air & Space Force, E2A2 Sports Academy, USA Today Sports and Golfweek.

Dombkowski was a sophomore wrestler with Cathedral Prep when he was diagnosed with stage 4B Hodgkin lymphoma in April 2023. He transferred to Fort LeBoeuf for his junior year and competed with the Bison over the winter after completing a six-month stretch of chemotherapy treatments late in 2023.

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner was the guest speaker at the sports awards event. In all, 38 awards were handed out. They included:

BOYS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR, PRESENTED BY AHN SPORTS MEDICINE AT SAINT VINCENT — ETHEN KNOX FROM OIL CITY HIGH SCHOOL

Oil City senior Ethen Knox had no offseason this year. It wasn't because he was training or weightlifting, which he also did during the year but it was because he was contributing for the Oilers I three sports. Knox completed a dominant football career with another big season in the fall. Despite playing most of the season with injuries, Knox ran for 2,340 yards and 34 touchdowns on 297 carries. He finished his career with 7,870 rushing yards, which is a District 10 record and 92 total touchdowns. In the winter, Knox was the second-leading scorer on the basketball team with 10.2 points per game and he had four D-10 medals in the spring. He won a D-10 title in the discus with a runner-up performance in the 200 and he took third in the 100.

GIRLS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR, PRESENTED BY AHN SPORTS MEDICINE AT SAINT VINCENT — MILENA SCIULLO FROM GROVE CITY HIGH SCHOOL

Milena Sciullo received national attention before ever putting on Grove City uniform. The outstanding sophomore jumper has medaled several years in a row at the NIKE outdoor national championships to become an All-American. She secured three PIAA medals in late May, including a state title in the triple jump. Sciullo broke the elite mark of 40 feet in the triple twice during the state meet. He jump of 40 feet, 3 inches was just a ½ inch off the PIAA record. Sciullo also took fifth in the high jump and seventh in the long jump for one of the best overall meets among any athlete inn the state. Sciullo's spring season capped an impressive year, which included state titles in the high jump and in the triple jump during the indoor season.

GOLDEN WHISTLE AWARD, PRESENTED BY E2A2 SPORTS ACADEMY — LARRY J. FRISINA, BASKETBALL AND VOLLEYBALL

This award, sponsored and chosen by E2A2 Sports Academy. Frisina, a man who requires no introduction in D-10 Sports. Even when not officiating, L.J. seems to find his way to every major D-10 sporting event. He has served as a PIAA basketball official for 36 years, and is a Go Too official when it comes to semifinals and finals. He has officiated numerous McDonald's Classic/Burger King Classic games. He was even kind enough to work with his friend Darren Defranco and officiate the E2A2 Varsity Shot Clock League. This 2023-24, marks his 20th year as the officials’ representative on the District 10 Committee, which involves fighting for the rights of all officials and making crucial decisions regarding D-10 athletes and issues. He has officiated numerous NCAA Division II and III regional games. He has served as an officials’ evaluator in basketball for countless games. L.J. Is an official who sets the standard for others and that is why he is chosen as this Years first Golden Whistle Award.

BOYS COACH OF THE YEAR — SAM TOJAGA FROM CATHEDRAL PREP

Sam Tojaga made it personal mission to turn Cathedral Prep boys soccer into a state powerhouse when he took over as head coach in 2005. After two decades of hard work, Tojaga coached his team through a thrilling state playoff run as Prep became the first boys soccer team in District 10 history to win an outright state title. In 19 seasons, Tojaga has a record of 320-67-13 including 17 region championships and 15 District 10 championships. This past fall, Tojaga guided Prep to an overtime win in the PIAA first round and a 2-0 win over WPIAL champion South Fayette in the quarterfinals. The Ramblers then beat powerhouse Hershey in overtime in the state semifinals and Springfield Township in double overtime in the state championship.

GIRLS COACH OF THE YEAR — CRAIG ANTUSH FROM HICKORY HIGH SCHOOL

Hickory girls golf coach Craig Antush retired this past fall. He will get some well-deserved time off after building one of the top girls golf programs in the state. Hickory won its third straight state championship in the fall, which is a first by a District 10 golf program. In 17 seasons, Antush had a 171-22 record including 16 region titles, four District 10 championships, seven D-10 runner-up finishes and his teams also finished second and third in the PIAA tournament.

BOYS TEAM OF THE YEAR — CATHEDRAL PREP SOCCER

The Cathedral Prep boys soccer team seemed destined to make history this fall. The Ramblers went 19-3-1 with another region title and a District 10 championship. Prep then won four heart-stopping games to claim the first outright PIAA boys soccer championship in District 10 history. In the first round of the state playoffs, Prep trailed Montour 1-0 with less than three minutes left when Luke Trocki saved the season with a goal. Noah Handzel then scored in overtime for a 2-1 win. Prep held off WPIAL power South Fayette 2-0 in the quarterfinals before beating District 3 power Hershey 1-0 in overtime in the semifinals on a Handzel goal. Prep finished the run with a 3-2 double-overtime win against Springfield Township on a Dylan Danch goal.

GIRLS TEAM OF THE YEAR — HICKORY HIGH SCHOOL

Hickory had something special brewing in 2020 with a bunch of talented girls golfers that challenged eventual state champion North East in District 10 play. In 2021, the Hornets started their current dynasty with a 14-stroke win over the field to win the Class 2A state championship. Hickory dominated the field by 28 strokes the following year before making it a three-peat this past fall. Sasha Petrochko led the Hornets with a 71, while Ava Liburdi shot a 73 and Luciana Masters had a 76 as the Hornets put together an incredible 220 round to win a third state title. With Masters back this coming fall as well as Madeline Myers, Hickory could be the team to beat, once again.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR — MADELYN VOGAN

The Sharon community was excited to see what Madelyn Vogan could do this spring after years of dominating on the travel ball circuit in softball. In her first varsity game, the freshman struck out 12 batters in a 5-inning no-hitter as Sharon beat Grove City 10-0. Vogan then struck out 17 in her next start. With no fear of facing varsity hitters, Vogann went 19-1 this season with a 1.12 ERA and 234 strikeouts in 131 innings in the circle. She also had a .593 batting average with 14 home runs at the plate. Vogan is already getting attention from major Division I colleges as a big-time recruit.

LARGE-SCHOOL VARSITY CUP — CATHEDRAL PREP

The race for the big school Varsity Cup this year was one of the tightest races in the history of the Varsity Cup. Cathedral Prep and McDowell continued to earn trophies throughout the school year, but the Ramblers did just enough to edge their rivals this year. With 11 region championships, 11 District 10 championships and one state championship, Prep is the winnner of the big school Varsity Cup for the 11th time in the past 13 years. Prep won a state title in boys soccer and the Ramblers claimed D-10 titles in boys and girls tennis, girls cross country, boys soccer, boys and girls swimming, wrestling, boys basketball, baseball, softball and boys lacrosse.

SMALL-SCHOOL VARSITY CUP — HICKORY HIGH SCHOOL

Hickory has developed one of the top athletic programs in District 10. The Hornets are in contention every year for the small school Varsity Cup. In eight years of the small school cup, Hickory has won it four times. This year's small school Varsity Cup came down to the smallest details as several programs had great years. Hickory is tied with Fairview and Warren with four D-10 championships and the Hornets have four region titles. The big difference for the Hornets this season was their state title in girls golf. Hickory won D-10 titles in girls golf, competitive spirit, football and girls track and field.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD — PAUL PICCIRILLI FROM SHARPSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL

Paul Piccirlli jumped at the chance to coach the Sharpsville football team in 1996. He is a Sharpsville graduate that was an assistant coach for the Blue Devils and for Mercer as well. Piccirilli immediately turned Sharpsville into a small-school powerhouse as they won the PIAA Class 1A title in 1997. Piccirilli will enter this 45th season as a coach including his 29th season as a head coach this fall and is one of the winningest football coaches in District 10 history. In 28 years, Piccirilli has a record of 234-95, including five region championships and eight District 10 championships. Piccirilli has had just five losing seasons in 28 years and his 234 wins ranks fourth in D-10 history. He is just one win behind longtime Wilmington coach Terry Verrelli and nine wins behind longtime Sharon coach Jim Wildman.

SCHOOL-SPIRIT AWARD — SAEGERTOWN HIGH SCHOOL

This award was voted on by the community and the winner received a $1,000 donation to its sports department.

BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR, PRESENTED BY MARQUETTE SAVINGS BANK — TYLER GROVE FROM MCDOWELL HIGH SCHOOL

Grove and the McDowell boys basketball team faced adversity before the season started as one starter transferred and one starter suffered a season-ending injury during football season. Grove, a 6-foot 6-inch senior, took it upon himself to lead the Trojans. He was third in all of District 10 with 22.6 points per game to lead McDowell to the District 10 Class 6A championship and a run to the PIAA second round. Grove, who will play for powerhouse IUP this coming season, was named to the all-region first team, was a third-team all state selection and was the Region 7 player of the year.

GIRLS BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR, PRESENTED BY MARQUETTE SAVINGS BANK — LAYKE FIELDS FROM KENNEDY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

Fields, A 6-foot junior, was third in District 10 this season with 20.6 points per game. She had 29 points and 17 rebounds in the PIAA Class 2A championship game and scored the winning bucket in the finals seconds of a 42-40 win over Marion Center. It is the second straight state championship for Fields and the Golden Eagles. Fields has received several Division I offers and was named all-region, all-district and all-state and was named the Class 2A player of the year for the second straight season.

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY RUNNER OF THE YEAR — KAMDEN KRAMER FROM MCDOWELL HIGH SCHOOL

Kramer, also a distance specialist for McDowell’s track and field teams, successfully repeated as the winner of last October’s PIAA Class 3A subregion boys race. The junior, finished first at 15 minutes, 48 seconds. Kramer was the race’s lone runner who cracked the 16-minute mark. He also helped McDowell qualify as a team for the state meet.

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY RUNNER OF THE YEAR — ANNE-CATHERINE BROWN FROM CATHEDRAL PREP

Brown, for her second time in as many seasons, helped Cathedral Prep to a podium appearance during the PIAA meet. The Ramblers received the Class 2A runner-up trophy and Brown was Prep’s fastest runner that day at 19 minutes, 25 seconds. The sophomore’s time was swift enough for sixth place in a field of 249 finishers.

FOOTBALL DEFENSE — MARION NORRIS FROM FARRELL HIGH SCHOOL

Norris was one of the ultimate ballhawks in District 10 as a dominant linebacker. He finishedwith 149 tackles, including 18 against Hickory and double-digit tackle totals in 10 of 13 games. The all-state selection is committed to California in the PSAC. He finished his career with 347 tackles.

FOOTBALL OFFENSE — ETHEN KNOX FROM OIL CITY HIGH SCHOOL

Knox had one of the all-time football careers in District 10 history. The running back rushed for 2,340 yards and 34 touchdowns in just 10 games as a senior and finished as the all-time rusher in D-10 history wth 7,870 yards and 89 touchdowns. Knox also had 199 tackles in his career as he was also a dominant defensive back for the Oilers. Knox will continue his football career at Mercyhurst.

FOOTBALL LINEMAN — COOPER COUSINS FROM MCDOWELL HIGH SCHOOL

Cousins has been a force his entire career. The 6-foot 6-inch, 320-pound offensive lineman has cleared the way for 1,000-yard rushers and quarterbacks as defenders couldn't figure out a way to get around him. The Penn State recruit is an all-state selection and was also a big-time leader on and off the field. He often led weightlifting sessions for his teammates and he played several positions on the offensive line based on what the Trojans needed each game. Cousins ended his career in the prestigious US Army All-American game.

BOYS GOLF — BRADDOCK DAMORE FROM WARREN AREA HIGH SCHOOL

Damore led the Warren’s boys golf team to its first District 10 tournament title. His even-par round of 72 helped the Dragons to a nine-stroke victory. He qualified for the PIAA tournament, where a round of 2-under 70 highlighted his 36-hole total of 150.

GIRLS GOLF — ANNA SWAN FROM NORTH EAST HIGH SCHOOL

Swan added to her siblings’ successful lineage of PIAA championships in that sport. The Oral Roberts University recruit, in her final appearance with the Grapepickers, won the state’s Class 2A girls tournament . She recorded a two-round score of 1-under par 143 for a two-stroke victory. Swan, who also played with the Grapepickers' girls volleyball team, joined older brother Isaiah Swan and older sister Lydia Swan as PIAA individual and team gold medalists.

BOYS SOCCER — NOAH HANDZEL FROM CATHEDRAL PREP

Despite opposing defenses focusing their attention on Handzel, the fast senior forward couldn't be stopped. He finished with 32 goals and 21 assists to lead Cathedral Prep to its first-ever outright PIAA championship. The all-state selection, who was selected to play in an All-American game, was clutch throughout the Ramblers' run to the state title. He scored in overtime in a 1-0 win over Hershey in the PIAA semifinals and had one goal and one assist in the 3-2 win over Springfield Township in the state final.

GIRLS SOCCER — FORT LEBOEUF HIGH SCHOOL

Samluk was the ultimate leader. When the Bison needed a goal, Samluk played forward. When the Bison needed a leader to control the action she moved back to midfield and when the Bison needed to shut down Katie Scott, a member of Team USA, Samluke moved to the back row and kept Scott off the scoreboard in the playoffs. Samluk finished with 12 goals and 12 assists this year, but her leadership and ability to control the game over the past few years can't be measured.

GIRLS TENNIS — VIVIAN LIU FROM FAIRVIEW HIGH SCHOOL

Liu added her name to the Fairview girls tennis team’s lengthy list of District 10 gold medalists in singles. Not only did the tournament’s top seed defeat four opponents en route to the title, but she shut out each of them. Liu also helped the Tigers win the district’s 3A team final and qualify for the PIAA tournament.

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL — EMMA PARKS FROM MEADVILLE HIGH SCHOOL

Parks emerged as one of the best players in the state this past season. The 6-foot 2-inch junior outside hitter is already committed to Marquette and was named to the all-state team for the second time after dominating for the Bulldogs. She finished with 587 kills in 108 sets. Parks has more than 1,000 kills in her career.

BOYS SWIMMING AND DIVING — CAMDEN SMITH FROM FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL

Smith was voted the outstanding performer for the Class 2A District 10 meet. He was an individual gold medalist in the 100-yard freestyle and butterfly and anchored Franklin’s first-place 400 free relay. Smith also helped the Knights qualify for the PIAA meet in the 200 medley relay. He won four medals at that state competition.

GIRLS SWIMMING AND DIVING — MARIA COSTA FROM CATHEDRAL PREP

Costa was chosen as District 10’s best female aquatics athlete. As a four-time gold medalist, the junior was voted the district meet's outstanding performer for the Class 2A girls. She won the 200-yard individual medley and 100 backstroke and also started for the Ramblers’ first-place 200 medley and freestyle relays. The state-champion 200 free relay team highlighted Costa’s 4 top-eight finishes at the PIAA meet.

BOYS WRESTLING — LOUIE GILL FROM REYNOLDS HIGH SCHOOL

Reynolds' senior Gill returned to the D-10 postseason in dominant fashion after placing at elite regular-season tournaments. The 121-pounder finished sixth at the Walsh Ironman and third at Powerade before winning Ultimate Warrior. A PIAA champion with Hickory as a freshman, the North Carolina State commit capped his career with three sectional, two district and two regional titles and a 143-17 record that included 53 falls.

GIRLS WRESTLING — AVRY RYHAL FROM HICKORY HIGH SCHOOL

Ryhal was District 10’s first female wrestler of the year. The Mercer student, who competed with Hickory’s co-op program, received the honor at the conclusion of the PIAA’s first sanctioned season for the sport. She went 26-2 and avenged her only losses to Leyna Rumpler with a 1-0 victory in their 155-pound final at the PIAA tournament. Ryhal will resume her wrestling career at Lock Haven University.

BASEBALL — JASON FULTZ FROM CATHEDRAL PREP

Cathedral Prep junior Jason Fultz is the District 10 player of the year for the second straight year. The Clemson recruit is one of the top players not only in D-10 or the state but he is also ranked as one of the top corner infielders in the country as well. Fultz had a .523 batting average this year with 34 hits, including six doubles and 11 home runs. He also drove in 39 runus and scored 28. Fultz was also Prep's top pitcher as he went 7-1 with a 0.35 ERA and had 77 strikeouts in 40 innings.

BOYS LACROSSE — DONNY DEBLASIO FROM HICKORY HIGH SCHOOL

DeBlasio paced Hickory from the front, logging 44 goals and 28 assists. Both of those marks led District 10. The senior attacker finished with 93 career goals in two varsity seasons after helping kickstart the Hornets' program as a junior.

GIRLS LACROSSE — ALYVIA STOCKTON FROM MCDOWELL HIGH SCHOOL

Stockton broke onto the District 10 lacrosse scene as leader of nine-win McDowell. The Trojans finished second in D-10 Region 1 largely thanks to Stockton, a freshman attacker whose offensive prowess paired well with that of McDowell's existing attack. McDowell won the D-10 Class 3A title uncontested.

SOFTBALL — MADELYN VOGAN FROM SHARON HIGH SCHOOL

Sharon freshman Madelyn Vogan had no problems adjusting to the varsity level this spring. She was one of the most dominant players in District 10 as a hitter and as a pitcher as she led the Tigers to their first District 10 championship and first PIAA playoff winn. In fact, Sharon was a perfect 25-0 when they lost in the PIAA semifinals to Harbor Creek. In the cirle, Vogan went 19-1 with a 1.12 ERA and 234 strikeouts in 131 innings. At the plate, she had a .593 batting average to go with 51 hits, 50 runs scored, 40 RBIs, nine doubles and 14 home runs.

BOYS TENNIS — JONAH NG FROM CATHEDRAL PREP

Jonah Ng, for the third time in as many seasons, was named District 10’s best boys tennis player. Ng, a Cathedral Prep junior, finished first in the district’s Class 2A singles tournament for the second time in his varsity career. Ng advanced to the quarterfinals of this past season’s PIAA 2A singles tournament, where he lost to eventual champion Michael Georgelis of Lancaster Country Day. Ng, as the No. 1 singles starter, also helped Prep advance to the final for the state’s small-school team tournament.

BOYS TRACK AND FIELD — LEVI PREMENTINE FROM SLIPPERY ROCK HIGH SCHOOL

Levi Prementine accomplished more than just repeate as the PIAA's best small-school long jumper. Prementine, in his final meet for the Rockets, defended as the gold medalist for that field event at Shippenburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. The senior won with an attempt of 20 feet, 3/4 inches. Not done there, though, Prementine also won the meet's Class 2A boys 300-meter hurdles in 38.63 seconds, placed fifth in the 110 hurdles and ran the third leg of the Rockets' sixth-place 1,600 relay. Those results helped Prementine and his teammates top the PIAA's 2A boys standings.

GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD — MILENA SCIULLO FROM GROVE CITY HIGH SCHOOL

No District 10 female soared through the air to more medal results during last month's PIAA track and field meet than Milena Sciullo. The Grove City sophomore placed in the top eight for each of the Class 2A girls jumping events held at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. None was more cherished than the golden one Sciullo received for her victory in the triple jump. Her winning attempt was initially marked at 40 feet, 3 3/4 inches, which would have been a PIAA record, before it was remeasured at 40-3, a 1/2 inch below the standard. That still left Sciullo a state champion and a three-time meet medalist. She also finished in a tie for fifth in the high jump and seventh in the long jump.

BOYS VOLLEYBALL — LUC SOERENSEN FROM MEADVILLE HIGH SCHOOL

Meadville sophomore Luc Soerensen was an absolute force this spring not only for the Bulldogs but for Team USA as well. He missed several matches late in the season to help Team USA's under-19 team win a gold medal before returing home to help Meadville win a third state championship. The 6-foot 8-inch hitter had 18 kills and nine digs in the state championship match after collecting 15 kills in the PIAA semifinals against Mars, 19 kills and seven digs in the PIAA quarterfinals against Lower Dauphin and 12 kills in a sweep of Armstrong in the first round of the state playoffs.