WildcatWeeklyHighlights2022-23

Penn College golfers ready
The last of the Pennsylvania College of Technology fall sports teams is scheduled to get underway this week when the men’s golf team swings into action Wednesday in the Elizabethtown College Fall Invitational at Hershey Country Club East.
 

Also this week, the men’s and women’s soccer teams open United East Conference play Saturday on the road.
 

ON THE HORIZON:
Men’s golf
Coach Rob Lytle enters his first fall season after taking over the top spot last spring when his team finished third in the eight-team United East and then-freshman Gavin Baer, of Bainbridge, placed sixth among 40 individuals, won Rookie of the Year honors and was named to the conference’s second team.
“I like my team. I’ve got two really good players returning in Baer and sophomore Will Orwig, of Mifflintown. And, I’ve got a transfer, sophomore Payton Mussina, of Montoursville, from Averett University, and he’s playing very well,” Lytle said. 

Those three, along with junior Trevor Keaton, of Worcester, and freshman Gunner Redmond, of Beech Creek, are expected to start in the opener.
Lytle said there also are some other freshmen he is evaluating who could see playing time. As part of the team’s preparation for the spring United East season, Lytle has put together what he terms a “pretty aggressive fall schedule. “I want to play against the best. My expectations are, I want to win tournaments in the fall. This is all building up to the conference championship. I want them to play against some really good players. I want them to get some good competition. My expectations are pretty high.”
A key for the fall season, the coach said, will be getting his players back into tournament golf. 

“We’ve had the luxury of playing four weeks, practicing leading up to our first tournament but I’ve got to get them back into a competition mindset,” Lytle said. “I want to make this golf team the best in the conference.” 

FLASHBACK
Men’s soccer
In a 2-0 loss at Alfred State College on Wednesday and a 3-3 home tie against Shenandoah University on Saturday, the Wildcats (0-3-1) were outdone in shots on goal, 20-11. Scoring goals in the team’s 11th tie during coach Tyler Mensch’s seven seasons were Gabe McKeon, of Williamsport; Logan Stapleton, of Chambersburg; and Dylan Dailey, of East Stroudsburg. Goalie
Cole Catherman, of Selinsgrove, made 12 saves, including seven in a second-half shutout, to secure the tie. Shenandoah had an own goal to close out the first half scoring. 

Women’s soccer
During an 0-2 week that saw the team’s record drop to 0-4, Penn College was outdone in shots on goal, 17-5, in losses to Geneva College, 3-1, on Monday and Keuka College, 1-0, on Wednesday. Egan Wiley, of Northumberland, scored the team’s lone goal. Against Keuka, goalie Nicole Lichtinger, of Erie, made six saves. 

Women’s volleyball
On Tuesday, the Wildcats snapped a 15-match loss string that extended back to last season with a 3-0 (25-14, 25-11, 25-16) win at Clarks Summit University, dominating in team aces, 17-1. Cheyenne Stein, of Orwigsburg, led the way with seven aces and 17 assists. That was followed by losses to Penn State Altoona (3-0, 25-17, 25-15, 27-25) on Friday and to Delaware Valley
University 3-0, 25-19, 25-16, 25-21) on Saturday as the team’s season log dipped to 1-4. Stein ended the week with 50 assists, while Christine Limbert, of Curwensville, had 16 kills; Coryn Oswald, of Langhorne, had 12 kills and 20 digs; and Kylee Butz, of Lawrenceville, had 20 digs, all coming against PS Altoona. 

Men’s/women’s cross-country 

Mitch Campbell, of Riegelsville, ended 24 th in a 216-runner field in 27:12 over an 8K course to lead the Penn College men, while Madison Shaffer, of Montoursville, paced the Wildcat women with a 139 th -place finish in 25:25 over a 5K course in a 190-runner field on Saturday at the Lebanon Valley College Invitational. In their first full team outing of the season under new
coach Tom Leeser, the men finished 16 th of 23 teams and the women 22 nd of 23. 

Men’s/women’s tennis
Posting men’s singles wins for Penn College in a 7-2 season-opening Sunday loss to Susquehanna University were Kyle Shuler, of Williamsport, at No. 2, and Logan Ogden, of South Williamsport, at No. 5. The opener for the Wildcat women was postponed until Sept. 24. 

Esports
Penn College was 19th in a field of 36 Tuesday in Collegiate iRacing League GT3 Challenge Long Beach.

SCHEDULES/RECORDS
Men’s soccer
UE: 0-0
Overall: 0-3-1
Wednesday, Sept. 7 — at Alfred State College, L, 2-0
Saturday, Sept. 10 — host Shenandoah University, T, 3-3
Tuesday, Sept. 13 — host Albright College, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 17 — at Lancaster Bible College (UE), 3 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 20 — host Penn State Harrisburg (UE), 7:30 p.m. 

Women’s soccer
UE: 0-0
Overall: 0-4
Monday, Sept. 5 — at Geneva College, L, 3-1
Wednesday, Sept. 7 — at Keuka College, L, 1-0
Saturday, Sept. 10 — host Penn State Schuylkill, ppd.
Saturday, Sept. 17 —at Lancaster Bible College (UE), 1 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 20 — host Penn State Harrisburg (UE), 5 p.m. 

Women’s volleyball
UE: 0-0
Overall: 1-4
Tuesday, Sept. 6 — at Clarks Summit University, W, 3-0 (25-14, 25-11, 25-16)
Friday, Sept. 9 — host Penn State Altoona, L, 3-0 (25-17, 25-15, 27-25)
Saturday, Sept. 10 — Host Delaware Valley University, L, 3-0 (25-19, 25-16, 25-21)
Monday, Sept. 12 — host King’s College, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 20 — at Keystone College, 7 p.m. 

Men’s/women’s cross-country
Saturday, Sept. 10 — at Lebanon Valley College Dutchmen Invitational, men 16 of 23, women 22 of 23
Saturday, Sept. 17 — at Misericordia University, 10:15 a.m.
Saturday, Oct. 8 — Mansfield University Ed Winrow Invitational, 11:15 a.m. 

Men’s tennis
Overall: 0-1
Friday, Sept. 9 — at Misericordia University, ppd.
Sunday, Sept. 11 — host Susquehanna University, L, 7-2
Saturday, Sept. 24 — at King’s College Invitational, 9 a.m. 

Women’s tennis
Overall: 0-0
Friday, Sept. 9 — at Misericordia University, ppd.
Sunday, Sept. 11 — host Susquehanna University, ppd.
Saturday, Sept. 24 — at King’s College Invitational, 9 a.m. 

Golf
Wednesday, Sept. 14 — Elizabethtown College Fall Invitational at Hershey Country Club East, noon Friday, Sept. 16 — Mountain Valley Classic Day 1 at Sinking Valley Country Club (Altoona), 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 17 — Mountain Valley Classic Day 2 at Summit Country Club (Cresson), noon
Sunday, Sept. 25 — at Wilson College, 9 a.m. 

Esports
Formula Four Championship
Monday, Sept. 19 — Interlagos, 9 p.m.
Collegiate iRacing League GT3 Challenge
Tuesday, Sept. 6 — Long Beach, 19 of 36
Tuesday, Sept. 20 — Twin Riing Motegi, 9 p.m. 

Collegiate iRacing League Premier Series
Tuesday, Sept. 13 — Kansas, 9 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 27 — Texas, 9 p.m. 

For more about the United East, visit the conference website.
For additional information, visit the Wildcats Athletics website.

UPMC Physician: Understanding Concussions in Sports

Sports Medicine Specialist, UPMC Orthopaedic Care

In recent years, concussions have been at the forefront of sports medicine, and for good reason. A complex injury that is difficult to diagnose, concussions can seem devastating to a young athlete’s career, but they are treatable if you know the signs and symptoms. Concussions do not always involve being “knocked out” or a loss of consciousness. A seemingly harmless soccer ball to the head or a tumble to the turf can cause a concussion and not all concussions are the same.  

Identifying a Concussion
It’s important for athletes to report symptoms and parents and coaches to recognize signs of a concussion. Realizing an athlete is concussed can go a long way in preventing further damage and mitigating long-term effects. Symptoms could be but are not limited to dizziness, headache, and nausea while some of the signs include loss of consciousness, loss of balance, confusion, or vomiting. Proper measures need to be taken from all involved to ensure the athlete receives the proper treatment.   

While awareness and training has increased greatly related to recognizing a concussion in an athlete, a lot of the responsibility still falls on the athlete themselves. One of the most effective ways to identify a concussion is self-reporting symptoms. The earlier it is caught, the quicker the athlete can get the proper treatment and potentially return to play. With fall sports seasons ramping up, many young athletes may be hesitant to let their coach or athletic trainer know of a head injury they sustained while slamming their head against the turf or the blunt force trauma from an opposing player’s flying tackle. Athletes work so hard to make their way into the starting lineup or find a spot in the rotation, the last thing they want to do is to take themselves out of the game. But it’s the smart thing and correct decision to do for long-term health and well-being. The best way to be able to stay on the field or the court for years to come is to be discerning with head injuries and your overall health. Understand that pulling yourself out of a game now can set you up for years of healthy competitive and non-competitive sport.  

Can Concussions Be Prevented?
Simply, there are no easy ways to prevent concussions. Recently, emphasis has been placed on decreasing the number of concussions sustained with advancements in equipment and rule changes, though helpful, concussions are still going to happen. Concussions can happen any time and in any sport. It’s important for coaches, especially at young ages, to teach proper technique and for athletes to be aware of their surroundings.
Recovery and Getting Back In The Game
Sustaining an injury doesn’t always mean your season is over. Athletic trainers, therapists, and doctors have made significant advancements in treating concussions, and much of that treatment involves remaining active. You would think that rest would be the most effective way to recover from a concussion but, in fact, the opposite is true. Remaining active and exercising a part in the brain called the vestibular system, which allows us to interpret movement and stabilize our vision when we move our head, is critical.

Being sidelined often affects an athlete’s mental health as well. Depression and anxiety can set in when athletes are removed from activity, so it’s important to keep them involved. Depending on the severity of the injury, accommodations can often be made so the athlete remains involved and continues to receive the support and comradery of their team. The mental hurdle of overcoming a concussion can be more difficult than the physical ones and having the support system of coaches, medical staff, and teammates provides a space for athletes to share their feelings and concerns. “Am I really OK to return to the field? What if I bump my head? Can I play as aggressive as before?” All these questions may pop into an athlete’s mind when they re-enter the field of play for the first time since a concussion. It’s important to acknowledge these feelings and talk through these concerns and questions ensuring the athlete is in the best shape physically and mentally to get back in the game.  

When you are given approval to get back to play, ease into activity. You can’t suddenly return to playing at full speed. Gradually increase your training each day until you can be cleared for full participation. During this time, it’s critical that you listen to your medical team. Your doctor, physical therapist, and team athletic trainer monitor your recovery and only move you to higher-level activities when you are ready. Additionally, don’t overdo it once you return. Even if you feel 100 percent better, your body is likely still returning to its full strength so be mindful of your injury for the near future and regularly check in with your sports medicine doctor, athletic trainer, or physical therapist if you suspect a problem. 

When it comes to the big game, safety scores the winning point. Getting back to the sport you love safely is the goal, and care providers are there to help get athletes back on the field.

By: Edward Gusick, D.O.  

Edward Gusick, D.O., is with UPMC Orthopaedic Care and sees patients at the UPMC Health Services Building, 1201 Grampian Blvd., Williamsport. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Gusick, call 570-321-2020. For more information, visit UPMC.com/SportsMedicineNCPA.

PITT-BRADFORD AND PITT-TITUSVILLE TO INAUGURATE PRESIDENT SEPT. 25

            BRADFORD, Pa. – The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford and is preparing for the inauguration of its fifth president, Rick Esch, on Sept. 25 as part of the university’s celebration for Alumni and Family Weekend.

            Esch is the third Pitt-Bradford president to also lead the University of Pittsburgh’s campus in Titusville. The Bradford, Titusville and academic communities are invited to take part in the inauguration, which will take place at 2 p.m. in the KOA Arena of the Richard E. and Ruth McDowell Sport and Fitness Center on the Bradford campus. A reception will follow. Reservations are requested, but not required.

            The event will feature a procession of faculty and staff dressed in regalia and the bestowing of the presidential medallion.

            Speakers will be Dr. Livingston Alexander, president emeritus of Pitt-Bradford and Pitt-Titusville; Dr. K. James Evans, retired vice president and dean of student affairs of Pitt-Bradford; Dr. Patrick Gallagher, chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh; Dr. Ann Cudd, provost of the University of Pittsburgh; and Jeannine Schoenecker, chair of the Pitt-Bradford Advisory Board.

            Both Alexander and Evans worked closely with Esch during their time at Pitt-Bradford in his former role as vice president of business affairs.

            Cudd appointed Esch president after he had served a year as an interim president in the role.

            As part of the weekend’s festivities, Esch will be the featured speaker at the university’s annual Career Networking Luncheon to be held at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 23 in the Mukaiyama University Room of the Frame-Westerberg Commons. The event is open to the pubic but there is a $10 charge and reservations are required.

            On Sept. 22, faculty members will hold a panel discussion from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Bromeley Family Theater of Blaisdell Hall about the importance of a college education.

            “We wanted to highlight the importance of higher education during inauguration week,” said Dr. David Fitz, interim vice president and dean of academic affairs. “As we inaugurate a new president, it’s important for us to emphasize that what we do is important.  A college education makes a positive difference in the lives of individuals and contributes to the well-being of society.”

            Faculty participating in the discussion are Dr. Tracee Howell, associate professor of English; Dr. William Clark, assistant professor of secondary education; Dr. Julia Morgan, assistant professor of philosophy; Dr. Behnaz Rezaie, assistant professor of engineering; and Dr. Robin Choo, assistant professor of biology.

            A 1983 graduate of Pitt-Bradford, Esch began his career there in 1995 as the director of auxiliary services and five years later was named chief business and administrative affairs officer. In 2003, he was promoted to vice president for business affairs. In 2012, he was named vice president for business affairs at Pitt-Titusville. He held both of those positions at the time that he was named interim president of both campuses.

                Esch has been continually active in the region, including serving as president and charter member of the Tuna Valley Trail Association, a board member and immediate past chair of Journey Health System, a board member and managing director of the Bradford Educational Foundation, and a board member and vice president of the Bradford Economic Development Corp.

He also is a member of the McKean County Advisory Board at Northwest Bank, a founding board member and treasurer of the McKean County Community Foundation, and a board member of the Community Foundation of the Upper Alleghenies.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from Pitt-Bradford and a Master of Business Administration from Pitt’s Katz School of Business Executive MBA program.

He and his wife, Lisa, live in Bradford and have three grown children.

To make reservations for the Sept. 23 luncheon or Sept. 25 inauguration, contact Joelle Warner, director of donor relations and stewardship, at 814-362-5104 or jaw104@pitt.edu.

PA Wilds Digital Community Gift Cards Now Available for Purchase

Those wishing to support small businesses in the Pennsylvania Wilds region now have a new tool to do so.

People from anywhere can now make sure their dollars stay within the region by purchasing the new Shop the PA Wilds digital community gift card for friends, family or even coworkers.

The Shop the PA Wilds digital community gift card allows people to give the perfect gift - funds to shop at area restaurants, artisans, boutiques, wineries, breweries, outfitters and other service providers, all while knowing that the money will strengthen the PA Wilds economy.

All businesses available on the Shop the PA Wilds digital gift card are members of the Wilds Cooperative of Pennsylvania, a growing network of more than 450 small businesses based in the 13-county PA Wilds region.

“Nestled among our region’s more than 2 million acres of public lands are beautiful gateway communities that are brimming with unique establishments, such as specialty retailers, restaurants, breweries, outfitters, galleries, and other service providers. We want to help explorers find those experiences and the unique opportunities and products that they each offer. That’s why we’re so excited to launch this new digital gift card program,” explained Abbi Peters, COO of the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship, Inc., the nonprofit that manages the Wilds Cooperative of PA network and regional lifestyle marketing for the PA Wilds Conservation Landscape.  “In addition to being a new program for our members in the Wilds Cooperative, it’s an exciting way for our organization to be able to collaborate with, connect and promote communities across the region. Some already have digital and traditional gift cards and incentivization programs that can complement this really well!”
HOW SHOPPERS PARTICIPATE

Anyone looking to provide a gift card can simply go to the Shop the PA Wilds digital gift card website at https://app.yiftee.com/gift-card/pa-wilds-kane and select the amount of money they would like to share via a gift card. Simply choose a recipient, and the digital gift card will be shared via email or text message.  The recipient can then use that digital gift card, which is available electronically or by printing it onto paper, to make purchases at participating merchants across the PA Wilds region. A directory on the site shows which businesses are already participating in the gift card program, and new businesses are joining regularly.

Volume discounts are available for one time or ongoing purchases of $1,000 or more paid in advance by check or ACH. Support your local community with bulk purchases, employee rewards, customer appreciation, holiday gifts, welcome gifts, incentives, etc.

Purchase a Shop the PA Wilds digital gift card at https://app.yiftee.com/gift-card/pa-wilds-kane. More stores are joining on a regular basis.

HOW BUSINESSES PARTICIPATE

The Shop the PA Wilds digital gift card can be used at any establishment that has signed up for the program. To be eligible to participate, establishments must be located in the Pennsylvania Wilds and members of the Wilds Cooperative of PA, which is free to join and does not have any membership dues. Businesses must also be able to accept MasterCard credit cards within their point of sale system as the digital gift cards are manually keyed into a POS.

Members of the Wilds Cooperative of PA can easily sign up by logging into their member accounts at www.wildscopa.org/manage-account/ and visiting the Branding Assets section at www.wildscopa.org/branding-assets/. Simply click the Shop the PA Wilds Digital Gift Card asset, and then scroll to the bottom of the landing page to “Apply to Join.” You will receive an email with an activation code to enable your POS to accept the digital gift cards.

Not yet a member of the Wilds Cooperative of PA? Learn more and join today at www.wildscopa.org/about.

Entrepreneurs who have questions are invited to reach out for support by emailing hello@pawildscenter.org.

HOW COMMUNITIES PARTICIPATE

Interested in your community getting involved with the Shop the PA Wilds gift card? Email bmadera@pawildscenter.org.

Wildcat Weekly 2022-23 5 Penn College Sports Teams Opening

5 Penn College sports teams opening

Cross-country, women’s volleyball teams seek recruits

Spread the word — women’s volleyball and men’s and women’s cross-country exist at Pennsylvania College of Technology and the teams’ respective coaches are seeking recruits.

“(The key to building the program) is more recognition by the college community. Many female athletes don’t even know we have a program. I have talked to alumni who never knew we had a team either,” women’s volleyball coach Carolyn McKeon said.

And new cross-country coach Tom Leeser echoed her, saying, “One of the things I realize is I’ve got to do some work to promote cross-country at Penn College. It’s not a high-profile sport anywhere and certainly one that needs more encouragement. … We’re struggling with the females this year as well.”

Those three teams, along with the men’s and women’s soccer squads, open their seasons this week as McKeon’s volleyball team goes to Lycoming College at 5 p.m. on Thursday, the women’s soccer team hosts King’s College at 4:30 on Thursday, the men’s soccer team hosts Keystone College at 7 p.m. on Thursday and Leeser’s cross-country teams travel to Mansfield University for a 9:15 a.m. meet on Saturday.

Women’s volleyball
“This season, we have a full roster at 12 athletes with some recruits possibly still pending. It has helped so much to run more effective practices when you have enough girls to run drills. The team has a wonderful camaraderie already and we are just finishing up week two of practice,” McKeon said Wednesday.

Junior setter Cheyenne Stein, of Orwigsburg; junior outside hitter Coryn Oswald, of Langhorne; and seniors Christine Limbert, of Curwensville; and Kylee Butz, of Lawrenceville, are expected to play key roles for this year’s team, according to McKeon, as is freshman libero Brooke Simmons, of Waterford, of whom the coach said, “She has already added so much to practice and plays her position with passion.”

McKeon noted that Butz took last season off and Oswald suffered a season-ending injury before it began as the Wildcats finished 1-16 overall and 0-8 in United East play a year ago.

“Stein has very talented hands and understands the complexities of running a 5-1. Power-hitter Oswald looks to make up for the time missed last year and is ready to rule the court. Simmons as a true libero adds depth to the team we did not have last season,” the coach continued.

Blocking and filling holes on defense are two areas of concern, McKeon said.

The keys to success, McKeon said, are “communication and commitment to the team goals and having fun on the court.

“We are looking forward to a few new team competitions like Cairn University and Widener University. (We are) looking for (a) second-year win over Keystone but know they will come out strong on their home court. There were some close games last year and we are looking forward to winning those.

“I am so excited to be back for the second year with a group of women who seem to already adore playing together. There is nothing better as a coach than watching a team bond and do it quickly. The freshmen have been embraced and those who are returning after time off are fitting back in like a glove. The team spirit is high, and everyone can feel the excitement of having a full roster. We have options this year and that is something we did not have last year.”

Men’s/women’s cross-country
Leeser brings a wealth of experience to the Penn College program after building highly successful boys track and field and boys and girls cross-country programs at Milton High School.

Commenting on his coaching philosophy, Leeser said, “I really want to focus on growth. It’s not so much who’s coming in with the most talent, but let’s take the talent you’re bringing in and see how we can develop it and improve it.

“Also, let’s grow as a person as well as an athlete. I bring a little bit of coach and a little bit of dad to the job, in terms of how I approach getting to know the student-athletes and helping them to recognize there are a lot of priorities they have to deal with from their academics to their personal life decisions as well as athletics.

“Individually, with track and cross-country, there’s always a clock so you can always measure improvement and success compared to previous races. The clock, they say, doesn’t lie.

“When I say personal growth: in terms of kids maturing, accepting leadership roles.

“The team is small, but what I’ve been impressed with is there is some maturity and leadership in a number of them, and that’s always a nice thing to have. If you don’t have that, your work as a coach is a lot more difficult.”

Last season at the United East meet, the men finished sixth in a seven-team field and the women were fifth of seven. At the season-ending NCAA Division III Mid-Atlantic Regional, the men were 27th in a 31-team field and the women 30th of 31. Individually, Alec Rees, of Centerport, New York, and Cinnamon Digan, of Mifflinburg, turned in the best times for their respective teams at each event.

Rees, along with junior Noah Bowers, of Burnham, and  senior Nick Snow, of York, return for the men’s team.

“(We have) a few quality returners from last year and a few newcomers with good high school credentials,” Leeser said, noting that while his runners are “willing to work, (have) high expectations and good team unity,” the squad lacks numbers and depth.

The keys to success, Leeser said, are “quality training, focus on growth and improvement, and a positive team environment.

“The plan is to establish ourselves in the top half of the conference this season and raise our expectations for next season. (We look to) set lofty, yet attainable goals, put in the effort on a daily basis, control the things you can control, have fun and enjoy the experience.”

On the women’s side there are no returnees from a year ago, although now-senior Rosey Thomas, of Port Allegany, who was a first-team all-conference selection as a freshman in 2018, has returned to the team.

“All of our women are new to our program, except Rosey. Some women bring in a bit of running experience, while others have varied athletic backgrounds. We will be starting from the ground floor and focusing on growth,” Leeser said.

While the coach said he has seen “desire and a willingness to improve,” he pointed out that overall fitness levels, knowledge of the sport and experience are areas that need improvement.

The key to success, Leeser said, will be “patience, take one day at a time. Come together as a team and perform at our best around championship time.”

Men’s soccer
Young and inexperienced but rising. That sums up where coach Tyler Mensch’s team is to begin his seventh season.

“We had a good spring season overall and have brought in 17 new players who so far have raised the level of play quite a bit. We only have three players who have played more than one year of college soccer due to the COVID year (2020), so we are still very young and inexperienced. Our limited preseason has brought about a different attitude so far and the guys have been competing and keeping a very positive mindset in training,” Mensch said.
The key returning players from last year’s squad that finished 4-11-4 overall and 2-3-3 in the United East include seniors Gabe McKeon, of Williamsport, a forward; goalie Braeden Eckard, of Danville; defender Rowen Gibson, of Abington; juniors Spencer Price, of Smyrna, Delaware, a defender; forward Tad Shellenberger, of Port Royal; and sophomores Tommy DeGeyter, of Long Valley, New Jersey, a midfielder; midfielder Matt Neeson, of Chadds Ford; and goalie Cole Catherman, of Selinsgrove, a transfer from King’s College who started in 11 matches.

Of the first-year players, Mitchell Lesh, of Pine Grove, earned PA Soccer Coaches Association All-State honors in 2019 and was the Pottsville Republican Herald Player of the Year, while Nathan Schwartz, of Lancaster, was awarded Lancaster-Lebanon League second team honors a year ago.
 
“Lesh hasn’t played competitive soccer since 2019, his senior year of high school. He was recruited to play at Lock Haven but COVID and a change of majors brought him to Penn College. Once he gets his soccer legs back he will be a force in the center of the field,” Mensch said.

“We are a young team that is still figuring out the rigors of college athletics. If guys can quickly adapt to the speed of play and physicality, we could jell pretty quickly and get some quality early season results,” Mensch said.

“Defensively, we return most of our experienced players and add a few additional guys who will help to anchor the back line and defensive midfield positions. (The) goalkeeper situation is very competitive with three quality goalkeepers who all can play at a high level,” the coach continued.

“We lost most of our goal scorers and playmakers from 2021, so we need guys to step up immediately in the attack and be goal-hungry. We do not bring back a ton of point-getters from 2021, so we will be relying on some new faces to help make us more dangerous in the final third of the field,” Mensch said.

A key to success, the coach noted, will be “getting off to a good start and believing that we can win. In the past we have started slow, which has created a sense of doubt or ‘here we go again, we are not going to win.’ We need to get a few wins under our belt and really figure out how to win as a team. A good start to the season should give us the momentum we need for United East competition.

“(Our) nonconference schedule is very tough and challenging, playing programs that are quite established over the years. Keystone, McDaniel, Shenandoah, King’s, Juniata and Susquehanna are all quality opponents who will give us a better idea as to where we stand in the Division III soccer world.
 
“The United East Conference, from top down, is very competitive and every match has the feel of a playoff match. You need to take care of business at home and look to snag a result or two
on the road. We are hopeful to be in the mix for a final four finish and UEC semifinal appearance.”

Women’s soccer
In his first season as the head coach, Ian Scheller takes over a program that reached postseason play in five of the last six competitive seasons.

“I am hoping to bring an enthusiasm and love for soccer to the program. Also, being an alum of Penn College, I bring a pride and a desire to do well here, to give back to the school and a sport that gave me a lot. I am also hoping the experience I have gained over the past few years (as an assistant women’s coach at Lycoming College and the head boys coach at Loyalsock Township High) can be a contributing factor toward long-term success,” Scheller said, adding, “The key to building the program is trust. The players need to trust in our training and trust in our style of play.”

Assessing his philosophy, Scheller said,  ”My coaching style is to try to give players options. On the field, they are in control, so it is up to me to help them understand the options that may be presented to them during a match. Decision-making is one of the most important skills on the soccer field,  so we train ourselves to make the best decision, to allow us to be successful.

“Success for me comes from improvement. Obviously improvement with regards to the record, but improvement from the players on the training ground. I love when a concept clicks in the mind of a player and gives their game another dimension. Watching a player get better every session is rewarding and will eventually lead to the team improving, and eventually lead to the improvement in the record column.”

Among the top returning players are junior midfielder Teagan Willey, of Towanda, who led last year’s 6-11 overall (3-5 UE) team with six goals and 16 points and sophomore midfielder Cassie Johnson, of Richland, who was named to the UE second team.

Other key returnees are sophomore defender BillieGean Hennessy, of Holtsville, New York, and sophomore goalkeeper Nicole Lichtinger, of Erie, who recorded two shutouts a year ago, according to the coach.

Two transfers who bring collegiate experience to the squad are sophomores Madison Racine, of Hamburg, via Marywood University, and Sara Darlington, of West Chester, via Pitt.

“Our team is young and full of potential,” Scheller said. “We currently have 22 players, 18 of which are in their first or second season with the team. We only lose three players to graduation this year, which bodes well when trying to build continuity within our squad. The young core provides our team with a youthful enthusiasm, with a squad filled with players dedicated toward building a contender, during their time at the college. The team will need to cope with a few bumps in the road this season, but I believe we are capable of matching last season’s wins, despite having such a young team.
“Our team has players capable of making an impact on the scoreboard. This season, we are placing an importance on scoring goals. Goals win games and we are hoping we can improve on the number of chances we put into the back of the net over the course of the season. Our team possesses pace, power and attacking flair, with players like Johnson and Willey returning as our top two goal-scorers from last season, plus the addition of players like Darlington and freshman Wiley Egan, of Northumberland, who are players that I know have a nose for goal. We also have a solid center/back pairing, with freshman Riley Reed, of Elysburg, and Hennessy, sitting in front of the capable hands of Lichtinger, who will all be tasked with keeping the ball out of our goal.”

Areas that need improvement, Scheller said, are “depth and experience. With having such a young team, there will be some mistakes and missteps along the way. The important thing for us is the way we deal with these moments when we falter and how we move forward from those situations. Experience can only come from playing, so there will be times we learn on the fly this season, but watching this team grow is something that is very exciting to me and makes me really excited for the long-term future of this program.
 
“Squad depth is a concern, due to injuries that inevitably occur over the course of a season. Squad depth is an area which can only be cured by recruiting, which we are well underway at this point of the season, with three players verbally committed from the class of 2023 and a few others who have expressed that we are their top choice. We will look to bring in another large class in 2023.

“Our keys to success will come from playing simply and being flexible over the course of the games. We train hard, in order to understand the way we want to play and the options we will have when on the field. Our goal is to make the game as simple as possible. Every player is tasked with one thing, ‘Do your job, not somebody else’s’. This concept will allow us to pinpoint mistakes and learn from them. With a team this young, it is important to get experience and learn from every match. Our progress as a team will go a long way toward helping us to be successful. Success this year is not about wins and losses, it is about understanding your role and executing it on a daily basis.”

Commenting on his outlook, Scheller said, “(the) United East is a tough conference, last year with us finishing 3-5, beating Gallaudet, Wells and Morrisville. This year I would imagine we can strive for that win total again, with us challenging our opponents in a few close games along the way. Our nonconference schedule is one that will provide us with many tough tests along the way, playing programs like King’s, Wilkes, Susquehanna and Marywood, to name a few. We will hope to match our nonconference win total again from last year, collecting three wins out of conference in 2021.”

SCHEDULES/RECORDS
Men’s soccer
UE: 0-0
Overall: 0-0
Thursday, Sept. 1 — host Keystone College, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 3 — host McDaniel College, 3 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 7 — at Alfred State College, 4 p.m.

Women’s soccer
UE: 0-0
Overall: 0-0
Thursday, Sept. 1 — host King’s College, 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 3 — at Wilkes University, noon
Monday, Sept. 5 — at Geneva College, 7 p.m.

Women’s volleyball
UE: 0-0
Overall: 0-0
Thursday, Sept. 1 — at Lycoming College, 5 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 3 — at Cairn University, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 6 — at Clarks Summit University, 7 p.m.

Men’s/women’s cross-country
Saturday, Sept. 3 — at Mansfield University Short Course Open, 9:15 a.m. (men), 10:15 a.m. (women)
Saturday, Sept. 10 — at Lebanon Valley College Dutchmen Invitational, 10:15 a.m.

Men’s/women’s tennis
Overall: 0-0
Friday, Sept. 9 — at Misericordia University, 3 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 11 — host Susquehanna University, 11 a.m.

Golf
Wednesday, Sept. 14 — Elizabethtown College Fall Invitational at Hershey Country Club East, noon
Friday, Sept. 16 — Mountain Valley Classic Day 1 at Sinking Valley Country Club (Altoona), 10:30 a.m.
Saturday, Sept. 16 — Mountain Valley Classic Day 2 at Summit Country Club (Cresson), noon

Esports
Formula Four Championship
Monday, Sept. 5 — Okayama, 9 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 19 — Interlagos, 9 p.m.

Collegiate iRacing League GT3 Challenge
Tuesday, Sept. 6 — Long Beach, 9 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 20 — Twin Riing Motegi, 9 p.m.

Collegiate iRacing League Premier Series
Tuesday, Sept. 13 — Kansas, 9 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 27 — Texas, 9 p.m.

For more about the United East, visit the conference website.
For additional information, visit the Wildcats Athletics website.

PennDOT Offers Drivers Facing Suspension Second Chance

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that select drivers facing a suspension due to accumulation of points on their driving records or for a conviction of excessive speeding now have a chance at redemption through successfully completing the newly-instituted Driver Improvement School (DIS) offered by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.  

“This new training program offers people whose driving privileges are in jeopardy a chance to avoid losing their license,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “For many, losing the ability to legally operate a motor vehicle means not just a loss of mobility, but a loss of income and independence as well.” 

As drivers are convicted of certain moving violations, points are assigned to their driving record. Once a driver’s record has been reduced below six points and for the second time, shows as many as six points or has a conviction for excessive speeding, that driver is required to attend a departmental hearing. At the departmental hearing, a driver meets with a Driver Safety Examiner (DSE) to review their driving record and discuss the driving habits that resulted in the hearing. At the conclusion of the hearing, a determination will be made whether serving a 15-day suspension or attending PennDOT’s DIS would be most beneficial for the driver to assist in making better decisions while behind the wheel. 

An individual who attends and successfully completes the DIS due to their record showing for the second time as many as six points, will have two points removed from their record and avoid a 15-day suspension. An individual who attends and successfully completes the DIS due to a conviction on excessive speeding will avoid having to serve a 15-day suspension. If an individual does not successfully complete the course or fails to attend, they will be required to serve a 60-day driver’s license suspension. 

The DIS curriculum focuses on safety and addresses poor driver behaviors and judgment exhibited in “high risk” drivers. This six-hour course focuses on educating and assisting problematic drivers to identify why they engage in risky driving behavior and how to utilize strategies for behavior modification to assist in improving their driving habits to prevent future violations and crashes. 

For more information, visit the Driver Improvement School page on the Driver and Vehicle Services website

A Family’s Trust in UPMC Orthopaedic Care

Kim Alfieri has gotten to know the team at UPMC Cole well over the years, even if that meant seeing them under some of the worst circumstances.
She first met Chad Jackson, PA-C, who specializes in orthopaedics, when she sought follow-up care for her son’s injured elbow when he was in elementary school.
 

In 2021, her son, Preston tore his ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) playing basketball in Smethport. The personal and professional care her son received during that pivotal time in his high school sports career made a world of difference.
 

“They’re not just invested in my kiddo, but I see it happen with any student athlete,” Kim says. “And it’s pure, genuine kindness. It’s not just a job to them. They’re so invested in helping these kids.”
 

Quick Response in an Emergency
The day Preston Alfieri injured himself on the court in February 2021 was a stressful day for the entire family.
 

“As soon as Preston went down on the court during a play, I knew something was terribly wrong,” said Kim. “He hobbled off the court and Melissa immediately took him out of the gym for an evaluation.” Melissa O’Brien, UPMC athletic trainer, broke the bad news to Kim: Preston had likely severed his ACL.
 

Before Kim had time to stress, Preston had an appointment for care scheduled the following morning at UPMC Cole.
 

“This was at 8:30 or 9 at night,” Kim says. “I know we’re a small community and this might not happen elsewhere, but I cannot tell you how amazing that was.”
 

That night, Melissa sent Preston home with instructions to ice and wrap his leg. She fitted him for crutches in the locker room, as well. Kim and Preston went home that night knowing there was a plan in place to start the healing journey.
 

Patient-Centered Care
The next morning, Preston met with Chad Jackson who confirmed the ACL tear. But from the very beginning, he was careful to offer Preston and Kim options instead of simply telling them what to do.
 

“Chad was very thorough. He not only talked to me but talked to my son and put him at ease,” she says. “He explained things in depth, and he didn’t tell us what the treatment was going to be — he gave us all the options.”
 

Three weeks after his high school injury, Preston had surgery with Bradley Giannotti, M.D., orthopaedic surgeon, to repair his ACL. But even before that, he had already begun physical therapy with Melissa in conjunction with his UPMC Orthopaedic Care team.
 

Both Chad and Melissa also shared personal stories with Preston about their own past injuries during his recovery, using these examples to encourage him to wear his brace and follow physical therapy treatment plans for a stronger recovery.

UPMC Expert: Understanding Headaches Carrie Timko, M.D. Family Medicine, UPMC

If you have experienced a headache or migraine, you know how debilitating they can be. As of 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 3% of all annual emergency department visits in the United States are due to complaints of headaches. While most headaches are not the result of a serious illness, they still can interfere with your overall quality of life.  

Types of Headaches
When most people think of a headache as a dull pressure and discomfort in the head, they’re describing a tension headache. These headaches are very common and most often do not have additional symptoms. While they can be painful, they are rarely a sign of more serious illness. Tension headaches can be treated with over-the-counter medications and lifestyle modification can often help reduce their frequency.
Cluster headaches, which occur in cyclical patterns or cluster periods, are one of the most painful types of headaches along with migraines. A cluster headache commonly awakens you in the middle of the night with intense pain in or around one eye on one side of your head. Bouts of frequent attacks, known as cluster periods, can last from weeks to months, usually followed by remission periods when the headaches stop. During remission, no headaches occur for months and sometimes even years. Cluster headaches are rare and not life-threatening. 

Migraines are a type of severe headache and include symptoms like intense pulsing or throbbing in one area of your head; sensitivity to light, sounds, or smell; blurred vision; and nausea or vomiting. Frequent migraines may be a sign of something more serious. If you experience migraines frequently, it’s important to speak with your physician to rule out underlying issues. Migraines can be treated with medication, lifestyle modification, and other therapies.  

Causes and Available Treatments
Many tension headaches can be relieved by means other than medication and the frequency of more serious headaches like migraines can often be reduced through lifestyle modification. It depends on what causes the headache and the type of headache.
Below are some common headache triggers and ways to reduce their effects:
•    Anxiety and stress – Take deep breaths, go on a walk, and incorporate healthy stress-relief activities into your daily routine.
•    Loud noise – Turn down the volume or walk away from sources of loud noise.
•    Light – Put down your screens or lower the brightness on devices and try not to overexpose yourself unprotected to sunlight.
•    Physical activity – Find a balance between pushing yourself too hard and being too sedentary.
•    Sleeping – Make sure you’re getting enough sleep and have a regular nighttime routine.

The best way to gain control of and prevent frequent headaches is to learn if you have triggers. Keep a headache journal to record events before, during, and after each headache. How much you sleep, your
activities, causes of stress, and the foods and beverages you ingested should be recorded. This information helps you and your physician determine significant patterns and triggers. It also helps your physician create a personalized treatment plan.
 

When to Seek Care
If headaches are taking a toll on your life day-to-day, it’s time to make an appointment with your primary care provider. This could mean that your headaches are happening more often, they have been more severe, or that Tylenol or other over-the-counter medicines no longer relieve your symptoms.
If your symptoms affect your motor functions (trouble walking or speaking, numbness or weakness of any kind), nausea or vomiting, or if you’ve fainted, you should call 911 or go to the emergency department.
UPMC Primary Care is located at 610 High St., Lock Haven. To schedule an appointment at this location, call 570-748-1250. For more information about UPMC Primary Care services in north central Pa., visit UPMC.com/PrimaryCareNCPA

PennDOT Updates Drivers on High Friction Surface Applications

Clearfield, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) updated drivers on its high friction surface application project impacting nine sites in Clinton, Elk, Juniata, McKean and Potter counties. High friction surface applications improve skid resistance and enhance safety for motorists at the application sites.

While crews apply the high friction surface treatments, drivers should expect to encounter flaggers in the roadway providing traffic control. PennDOT urges drivers to build extra travel time into their schedules as short delays are expected at the following locations the week of August 22.


·         Route 3001 (East Fork Road) at a bridge spanning Birch Run approximately five miles northeast of Wharton in Wharton Township, Potter County, August 22.

·         Route 255 at a bridge spanning Kersey Run near Byrnedale in Jay Township, Elk County, August 23.

·         Route 555 at a bridge spanning Dents Run near Benezette Township, Elk County, August 24

·         Route 477 at a bridge spanning Fishing Creek in Loganton Borough, Clinton County.

PennDOT anticipates work moving to a Route 3018 (Smokey Hollow Road) bridge spanning Tuscarora Creek near East Waterford in Tuscarora Township, Juniata County, the following week. All work is strictly dependent on weather.

Overall work on the project includes applying high friction surface treatment, epoxy-based surface treatments and other miscellaneous construction at 17 sites in Centre, Clinton, Elk, Juniata, McKean and Potter counties. RAM Construction Services of Michigan, Inc., of Livonia, MI, is the contractor for this $334,000 project. They completed work at eight of the sites during the 2021 construction season, and PennDOT anticipates they will complete the remaining applications by early September.

Motorists are encouraged to “Know Before They Go” by checking conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.

                                                                                                                          Subscribe to PennDOT news in Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Juniata, McKean, Mifflin, and Potter counties at www.penndot.gov/District2.

State Transportation Commission Adopts Updated 12-Year Transportation Program

Action Clears Way for Transportation Improvements across Pennsylvania

Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania’s State Transportation Commission (STC) today updated the 12-Year Program. The new plan anticipates $84 billion will be available over the next 12 years for improvements to roads, bridges, transit systems, airports and railroads.

The 12-Year Program, or TYP, is a multimodal, fiscally constrained planning tool used to identify and prioritize Pennsylvania’s transportation projects and the funds needed to complete them. State law requires the STC to review and update the TYP every two years. No capital project can move forward unless it is included in the TYP.

The newly adopted program, which takes effect October 1, incorporates funding from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), and anticipates the following funding availability in the first four years of the TYP from federal, state and local sources:

    $16 billion for state highway and bridge projects;
    $11.4 billion for public transit;
    $331 million for multimodal projects;
    $232 million for rail freight; and
    $168 million for aviation.

“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has already made a noticeable impact on transportation projects in Pennsylvania across all modes,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “While additional investment in our large transportation network is certainly needed, PennDOT takes pride in being a responsible steward of federal, state and local dollars to help improve infrastructure across all modes.”

The TYP also highlights some of PennDOT’s major accomplishments over the past two years, ranging from the modernization of train stations to the implementation of innovative strategies and the latest technologies to enhance safety and efficiency across a wide range of operations.

Four Rural Planning Organizations, 19 Metropolitan Planning Organizations and one independent county partnered with PennDOT in the review and development of the update. Now that the STC has approved the update, it has been submitted to the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration for review and approval. The Federal Highway Administration coordinates with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to review the plan’s conformity with air quality requirements.

Public input early in the 12-Year planning process played a key role in identifying investments in the various transportation modes.

The State Transportation Commission is chaired by the Secretary of PennDOT and consists of 10 appointed citizens as well as the majority and minority chairs of the state House and Senate Transportation committees.

For more information about the TYP, visit www.TalkPATransportation.com.

UPMC Orthopaedic Care Welcomes New Physician to Williamsport

John M. Kunkel, DO

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa., August 17, 2022 – UPMC welcomes John Kunkel, D.O., to the sports medicine team in Williamsport.

 Dr. Kunkel received his medical degree from University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, Biddeford, Maine, and completed an orthopaedic surgery residency with Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, Pa. Most recently, Dr. Kunkel completed an orthopaedic sports medicine surgery fellowship with Houston Methodist Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine, Houston, Texas, and worked with the Houston Texans, Houston Astros, Rice University athletes, and NASA Astronaut Corps.

 “I strive to treat each patient with an individualized treatment plan that utilizes a team approach; doctor, patient, therapists and trainers, working toward the goal of each patient returning to the lifestyle they want and achieving their goals,” said Dr. Kunkel. “I use my experience in working with high level professional athletes and NCAA Division I athletes to create the best possible treatment plan, consisting of the most up-to-date non-surgical and/or surgical techniques, in order to deliver professional athlete level of care to every single patient.”

Dr. Kunkel treats all conditions affecting the shoulders, knees and hips, including sports medicine care, trauma care, and care for degenerative conditions for adolescents and adults. He has a particular interest in complex knee conditions including multi-ligament reconstructions and cartilage preservation.

Dr. Kunkel joins the team of dedicated physicians, advanced practice providers, and support staff at the sports medicine clinic located at 1201 Grampian Blvd., Williamsport. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kunkel, call 570-321-2020. For more information about UPMC Orthopaedic Care and sports medicine services in north central Pa., visit UPMC.com/OrthoNCPA.

PennDOT, Safety Partners Stress Dangers of Aggressive Driving

Clearfield, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), the Lawrence Township Police Department and the Highway Safety Network stressed the dangers of aggressive driving in Clearfield today. Law enforcement statewide is cracking down on aggressive drivers exhibiting behaviors like speeding, red light running, and tailgating during an enforcement wave that began Tuesday, July 5, and continues through Sunday, August 21.

“Traffic laws are in place to prevent crashes and save lives,” said Sergeant Julie Curry of the Lawrence Township Police Department. “When we write tickets, we do it hoping it changes a driver’s behavior and makes the roadways safer for everyone.”

Curry explained that although aggressive driving behaviors are among the leading contributing factors in crashes and fatalities in Pennsylvania, many don’t recognize they are aggressive drivers. She said if you speed excessively, tailgate slower vehicles, race to beat red lights or run stops signs, weave in and out of traffic, pass illegally on the right or fail to yield the right of way to oncoming vehicles, you are an aggressive driver. Aggressive drivers put themselves, their passengers, and others on the road at increased risk of a crash, which is why municipal law enforcement agencies and the Pennsylvania State Police partner with PennDOT to conduct several high-visibility enforcement details every year to deter these behaviors.

Josh Woods, Community Traffic Safety Project Coordinator with the Highway Safety Network, said every driver is likely to encounter an aggressive driver at some point. He offered the following tips for what to do when that happens:

•    Get out of their way and don’t challenge them.
•    Stay relaxed, avoid eye contact, and ignore rude gestures.
•    Don’t block the passing lane if driving slower than most traffic.
•    Do not attempt to follow or pursue the vehicle. You or a passenger may call the police. But if you use a cell phone, pull over to a safe location.

Woods said many people mistakenly associate aggressive driving with road rage but that they are different behaviors. Road rage is a criminal offense and is often the result of aggressive driving behavior that escalates into an assault with a vehicle or other dangerous weapon.

According to PennDOT data, there were 6,206 aggressive driving crashes in 2021, resulting in 126 fatalities.

For more information on aggressive driving, visit www.PennDOT.pa.gov/Safety.

UPMC Launches Cardio-Oncology Specialty in Williamsport

Dr. Donald Nardone M.D.

Dr. Eugene Muchnik, M.D.

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa., August 16, 2022 – Specialists from the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in north central Pennsylvania have teamed up to provide a new service aimed at diagnosing and preventing cardiovascular disease in cancer patients and survivors.

The UPMC Center for Cardio-Oncology, led by Eugene Muchnik, M.D., a medical oncologist, and Donald Nardone, M.D., a cardiologist, offers collaborative care to better monitor cancer patients and survivors for any cardiovascular issues that may result from traditional cancer treatments.

“Cancer care and treatment have greatly evolved, and every day we’re making advances helping our patients thrive and survive,” said Dr. Muchnik. “As the number of cancer survivors continues to grow, so does the need to manage long-term effects of cancer treatment, especially those that affect patients’ hearts. As oncologists, we monitor our patients closely throughout treatment and into their survivorship journey for any potential concerns. This new service provides a channel to directly link our patients to cardiovascular specialists trained in treating oncology patients as soon as the need emerges.”

Although many cancers respond well to chemotherapy, some chemotherapy medications can weaken the heart muscle or cause abnormal heart rhythms. Radiation to the chest can also damage the heart, weakening it later in life. Sometimes the effects are immediately evident, but other times problems don’t appear until years or decades after cancer treatment. Consistent monitoring, screening and check-ins with a provider are essential elements of managing short-term and long-term effects of cancer treatment in survivors.

“Out of fear of the unknown and the belief that patients may not respond well to treatment, patients with heart problems and cancer often are undertreated for both issues,” says Dr. Nardone. “This disparity is something we’re looking to address by offering hope along with treatment in some very complicated patient cases. We know a lot about how chemotherapy and other treatments can affect a cancer patient’s heart, and we continue to learn more each day. We’re using what we’ve learned paired with the latest technology for screening and intervention to develop special treatment plans and preventative measures we can use to individually tailor our cardiac management. This ensures patients get the most effective, highest quality care possible.”

UPMC Center for Cardio-Oncology services are available by referral. Those undergoing cancer treatment should speak with their oncologist as to whether participating in the program would be beneficial.

For more information on cardio-oncology services available at UPMC in North Central Pa., visit UPMC.com/CardioOncologyNCPA.

WildcatWeekly2022-23 New Era on Horizon for Penn College Athletics

After a busier-than-normal administrative summer offseason that included the return of a former director of athletics, Pennsylvania College of Technology athletes have their sights set on returning to pursue their educational goals and fields of dreams.

FALL OPENERS SET
Getting their seasons underway in nonconference action on Thursday, Sept. 1:
•    Women’s soccer hosting King’s College at UPMC Field, 4:30 p.m.
•    Women’s volleyball at Lycoming College, 5 p.m.
•    Men’s soccer hosting Keystone College at UPMC Field, 7 p.m.

Getting underway in nonconference action on Saturday, Sept. 3:
•    Men’s and women’s cross-country at Mansfield Short Course, 9:30 a.m.

Getting underway in nonconference action on Friday, Sept. 9:
•    Men’s/women’s tennis at Misericordia University, 3 p.m.

Getting underway in nonconference action on Wednesday, Sept. 14:
•    Men’s golf at Elizabethtown College, TBA

The yet-to-be finalized esports schedule will begin after Sept. 5, Labor Day.

FORMER AD RETURNS
On July 11, it was announced that Scott Kennell is returning to Penn College as its director of athletics, a post he previously held from 2011-16.

“We are excited to welcome Scott back to Penn College and to Williamsport. He quickly rose to the top of a very strong nationwide candidate pool,” Penn College vice president of student affairs Elliott Strickland said. “Scott brings years of experience as a successful student-athlete, coach and administrator within the NCAA.

“We are excited that Scott will lead Wildcat Athletics into a new era.”

During his first stint at the college, Kennell helped guide the institution’s acceptance into the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III and as members of the North Eastern Athletic Conference (now United East Conference). Also during that time, six coaching positions
were elevated from part time to full time, an athletics-specific website was launched, an Athletics Hall of Fame was established, the number of recruited student-athletes was significantly increased, and many of the college's athletics facilities and athletics policies were enhanced.

He was inducted into the Penn College Hall of Fame in 2021.

Kennell spent the previous six years as the director of athletics at Madonna University, an NAIA institution outside of Detroit.

“I’m excited to be back at Penn College. It’s a great institution with a fantastic athletics department — one that can be built into an illustrious Division III program,” Kennell said.

Going into the school year, Kennell listed his vision and his long- and short-term goals for the athletics program:
 
Personal long-term goals
 
•    Continue to ingrain athletics as a key ingredient of the Penn College environment. Find ways to involve the student-athletes more around campus and in the community. Ask different groups around campus if there are ways we can help them.
•    Reach out to alumni. I want to make sure the alumni know that they are extremely important to each program. Ways to do this: Attend alumni events, provide ways for alumni to be involved and interact with the program (homecoming, alumni weekend and alumni games).
•     Maintain academic excellence. Encourage student-athletes to reach high levels of academic achievements. Promote academic excellence in the classroom.
 
Personal short-term goals
 
•    Create a new vision for Penn College Athletics.
•    Assess the department, identify weak areas and implement strategies to enhance the strengths of the department.  
•    Invigorate the department with a new positive attitude and energy. Make each program something that the student-athletes are proud of and look forward to being involved in. The students need to be excited about everything we do, not just the games.   
•    Continue to establish athletics as an important part of the Penn College community. Meet with students, faculty and staff to let them know how much we need their support.
•    Work to develop a high trust level with the students. Do this by being visible and showing the students that I care about them and each program.    
•    Develop open communication with the department chairs throughout the campus.

•    Speak with the student-athletes and gather input on their view of the intercollegiate programs. See if they can identify any areas that can be improved for the betterment of the program.    
 
Vision

“I’ve been very open on my vision: Graduate student-athletes with meaningful degrees and experiences, serve our campus and community, and win championships,” Kennell said.

WRESTLING COACH NAMED
On June 10, Pankil Chander was introduced as the college’s new head wrestling coach.

Chander comes to Williamsport after spending the previous two seasons as the assistant coach at Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts, where he helped coach eight regional place finishers, 12 National Wrestling Coaches Association scholar-athletes and a NCAA Division III Championship qualifier. Chander also served as the co-interim head coach for four months and was responsible for all facets of the program. Springfield was 9-5 in dual matches last season. The Pride did not compete in 2020-21 due to the pandemic.

Chander also spent two seasons as the assistant coach at Gettysburg College from 2018-20 and helped coach one Division III national qualifier and four regional place-finishers.

Chander was a four-year starter for nationally ranked Wilkes University from 2013-17 and was named a NWCA Scholar All-American. After graduating from Wilkes, he spent a year as a volunteer assistant wrestling coach at Bloomsburg University.

Chandler succeeds Jamie Miller, who resigned after four seasons.

CROSS-COUNTRY COACH NAMED
Tom Leeser, of Milton, the boys track and field coach at Milton High School for 19 years and its boys and girls cross-country coach for eight seasons, was named the college’s head men’s and women’s cross-country coach in July.

A retired mathematics teacher from the Milton Area School District who earned degrees from Penn State and Bucknell universities, Leeser succeeds Nick Patton, who coached the previous six seasons.

A 1982 graduate of Milton High where he competed in track and field, Leeser helped produce numerous Heartland Athletic Conference-Division II- and PIAA District 4 Class AA-championship teams along with conference, district and state individual champions during his stint as the boys head coach that ended in 2019. At one point, his track team won 43 consecutive dual meets. His cross-country teams claimed one district title and was a runner-up twice.

One of Leeser’s standout athletes was his son, Tyler, a two-time state runner-up, who attended Virginia Tech on a scholarship and graduated earlier this year.

“It’s one of the reasons I’m getting back into coaching — I’m done watching him. The last couple of years we did a lot of traveling to see him run,” Tom Leeser said.

“One of the things I realize is I’ve got to do some work to promote cross-country at Penn College. It’s not a high-profile sport anywhere and certainly one that needs more encouragement,” he added.

2022 HALL OF FAME
On July 25, the college announced its 2022 Hall of Fame class, which features three inductees: Mark Shaffer, Alicia Ross and Jordan Courter-Rutledge. They will be inducted on Oct. 22 in a ceremony during Wildcat Weekend.
 
Mark Shaffer (Baseball, 2006-10)
Entering his senior season in the spring of 2010, coach Chris Howard said, “Mark Shaffer is the nucleus of the pitching staff. As Mark goes, so do we. He’s always been the go-to guy.” During his four-year career, Penn College teams went 101-44, winning back-to-back Penn State University Athletic Conference championships in 2007-08 and 2008-09 and finishing fourth in 2006-07 and 2010. As a freshman, Shaffer, of Hanover, was awarded PSUAC All-Academic honors; as a sophomore, he earned All-PSUAC first-team honors and was a Penn College Student-Athlete of the Week for Sept. 25-30; as a junior, Shaffer was named to the first teams of the PSUAC and United States Collegiate Athletic Association after going 9-2 with a 2.45 ERA during the conference season; and as a senior, he again earned PSUAC first-team honors.

Alicia Ross (Women’s basketball, 2013-17)
During a four-year career from 2013-14 through 2016-17, when she started in 81 of 87 games as the Wildcats went a combined 26-71, Ross recorded several program firsts including becoming the college’s first United States Collegiate Athletic Association first-team honoree, the program’s first North Eastern Athletic Conference third-team honoree and its first repeat NEAC third-team honoree. In addition, she graduated with and still holds, the program career scoring record of 1,515 points. As a freshman, Ross, a 5-foot-8 guard from Williamsport, was second in scoring with 199 points and earned Penn State University Athletic Conference All-Academic honors. As a sophomore, she led the team with 438 points and was named to the USCAA second team. As a junior, Ross led the Wildcats with 468 points, and was named to the USCAA first team and NEAC third team. As a senior, she again led the team in scoring with 410 points and earned NEAC third-team honors. Ross, who averaged 17.4 points per game during her career, also finished with 437 rebounds and 301 assists.

Jordan Courter-Rutledge (Women’s soccer, 2013-16)
A defender who started in 68 of her 69 career matches from 2013-16, Courter-Rutledge, of Mill Hall, played on teams that went a combined 34-37-8 (20 of the wins were by shutout) and finished sixth in the North Eastern Athletic Conference during her junior season in 2015 and

reached the NEAC semifinals during her senior season in 2016 when the squad posted a then-Penn College single-season record 11 wins. As a freshman in 2013, Courter earned Penn State University Athletic Conference All-Academic honors. As a sophomore in 2014, she was named to the NEAC third team and NEAC All-Academic Team. As a junior, she was named to the NEAC third and All-Academic teams, and as a senior Courter-Rutledge was named to the NEAC first team and again achieved NEAC All-Academic honors.

PRESIDENTS’ CUP
Penn College finished sixth among nine United East institutions for the Presidents’ Cup, which annually recognizes the athletic achievements of its members. The winner is determined by a scoring system that rewards success during both regular-season and postseason competition.

Penn State Harrisburg took top honors and was followed by St. Mary’s (Md.) College, Lancaster Bible College, SUNY Morrisville, Penn State Berks, Penn College, Penn State Abington, Gallaudet University and Wells College.

UE SCHOLAR-ATHLETES CITED
A school-record 100 student-athletes earned United East Conference Scholar-Athlete honors — topping the previous mark of 85 last year — as the Wildcats finished tied for third among the conference’s nine full-time and six associate members.

To be selected, a student-athlete competing in a conference-sponsored sport must achieve a combined GPA of 3.4 or higher for the fall and spring semesters and must have been in good standing on their team. Twenty-seven Penn College students achieved perfect 4.0 GPAs.

Wildcats honored were:

Baseball (16)
Alex Jaworski, sophomore, Taylor; Andrew Snyder, junior, Whitehall; Ben Bretzman, junior, Bendersville; Brian Robison, senior, Quakertown (4.0); Chance Webb, junior, Hughesville; Cole Culver, junior, Titusville; Connor Burke, senior, St. Clair; Evan Nagy, junior, Williamsport (4.0); Ian Gagliano, sophomore, Hughesville; Jacob Carles, senior, Bernville (4.0); Jacob Wagner, junior, Palmyra (4.0); Justin Porter, junior, Fairless Hills; Keegan Nytz, junior, Allentown; Samuel Zeigler, senior, Palmyra; Zac Weaver, sophomore, Pottstown; Zak Underoffler, freshman, Tower City.

Men’s lacrosse (14)
Alex Feeman, junior, Lebanon; Benjamin Guaragno, senior, Spring Grove; Chad Szatkowski, freshman, Point Pleasant, New Jersey; Charles Jones, freshman, Glenolden; Cory Johnson, freshman, North Huntingdon; Elliott Gmiter, freshman, Gibsonia (4.0); Giovanni Ferrari, sophomore, Harveys Lake; Graham Purdy, sophomore, Hillsborough, New Jersey; Guerin San Agustin, freshman, Old Bridge, New Jersey; Isaac Hernandez, junior, Monroe Township, New Jersey; Kevin Ronayne III, freshman, Havertown; Ryan Santora, freshman, Norwalk,
Connecticut; Ryan Jefferies, freshman, Oxford, Connecticut; Walter Heiser, sophomore, Easton (4.0).

Men’s soccer (14)
Alexander Cassada, senior, Chambersburg; Braeden Eckard, freshman, Danville; Brandon Ratjavong, sophomore, Gordonville (4.0); Daniel Jackson, sophomore, Phoenixville; Gabriel Mckeon, sophomore, Williamsport; Grayson Tanner, sophomore, St. Matthews, South Carolina (4.0); Jack Lenosky, freshman, Moon Township (4.0); Rowen Gibson, junior, Abington; Tad Sellenberger, sophomore, Port Royal; Tanner Layne, senior, Chesapeake, Virginia; Thomas Degeyter Jr., freshman, Long Valley, New Jersey; Tyler Hendershot, sophomore, New Columbia; Tyler Weimert, sophomore,  Feasterville-Trevose; William Watson, sophomore, Springfield (4.0).

Women’s soccer (12)
BillieGene Hennessy, freshman, Holtsville, New York; Brieanna Twigg, freshman, Montgomery (4.0); Charlee Marshall, senior, Snow Shoe; Jaci Hunsberger, freshman, Reading; Kaelan Cronan, senior, Leesport; Kaelynn Sheetz, sophomore, Elizabethtown; Kelly Williams, senior, Marion, New York; Madison Kistler, senior, Kutztown; Megan Bugbee, senior, Geneseo, New York (4.0); Nicole Lichtinger, freshman, Erie (4.0); Shannon O’Day, freshman, Honesdale (4.0); Teagan Willey, sophomore, Towanda.

Softball (10)
Alyssa Rusnock, junior, Ovid, New York (4.0); Ivvy Morder, sophomore, Mechanicsburg; Jaylynn Cochran, junior, Montoursville; Jordan Specht, senior, Frederick, Maryland (4.0); Maddie Hurst, junior, Mechanicsburg; Madison Herriman, sophomore, Danville; Madison Shaffer, junior, Trout Run; Maggie Mangene, sophomore, Boalsburg; Olivia Eisenhauer, sophomore, New Columbia; Skyelar Splain, junior, Liverpool.

Women’s basketball (7)
Allison Troup, sophomore, Huntingdon; Cassie Kuhns, senior, Loyalsock Township (4.0); Emily Pardee, sophomore, Williamsport (4.0); Isabella Hitesman, freshman, Muncy; Jade Cordrey, freshman, Muncy; Maci Ilgen, senior, Spring Mills; Shelby Pyatt, sophomore, Frenchtown, New Jersey.

Women’s volleyball (6)
April Murphy, sophomore, West Mifflin; Cheyenne Stein, junior, Orwigsburg; Emalie Marnati, senior, Canton; Hailey DeBrody, freshman, Cogan Station; Jo Hess, freshman, Jersey Shore; Sierra Yaggi, freshman, Columbia Cross Roads.

Women’s tennis (5)
Alexis Youse, senior, Pottstown (4.0); Georgia Macensky, sophomore, Wellsboro; Hannah Burnett, senior, Middlebury Center (4.0); Marcie Harman, senior, Nescopeck (4.0); Mary Kathryn Hillman, freshman, Williamsport.
Men’s golf (4)
Gavin Baer, freshman, Bainbridge (4.0); Karson Felty, sophomore, Pine Grove; Sean McNamara, senior, Lancaster; Trevor Keaton, sophomore, Lansdale.

Men’s cross-country (4)
Alec Rees, sophomore, Centerport, New York (4.0); Chad Bomboy, senior, Unityville (4.0); Dean Fulton, junior, Palmyra; Will Deem, sophomore, Chalfont (4.0).

Men’s tennis (3)
Paul Langbein, freshman, Carnegie; Tucker-Phillippe Johansson, senior, Mattituck, New York; Zackary Burkhart, senior, Milton.

Women’s cross-country (3)
Avery Baker, freshman, Lock Haven; Kayleigh Miller, freshman, Sayre (4.0); Taylor Schon, junior, Selinsgrove (4.0).

Men’s basketball (2)
James Ross III, sophomore, Williamsport; Will Sulesky, junior, Huntingdon.

MORE ACADEMIC HONOREES
•    For the first time, the Penn College women’s basketball team was recognized by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association for performance in the classroom over the 2021-22 academic year and listed on the Academic Honor Roll Special Mention, it was announced on July 21.

The WBCA Academic Top 25 recognizes NCAA Division I, II and III, NAIA and two-year college women’s basketball teams across the nation that carry the highest combined grade point averages inclusive of all student-athletes on their rosters for the entire season. The 2021-22 season is the 27th in which the WBCA has compiled the honor rolls. Penn College tallied a team GPA of 3.468.

This year’s release also marks the first year in which all teams that qualified for the top 25 rankings with the minimum 3.0 GPA also are recognized for their academic accomplishment with a special mention in their respective division.

•    For the Penn College men’s basketball team, Will Sulesky, a junior from Huntingdon, was named to the Honors Court for individual student-athletes who carry cumulative GPAs of 3.2 or higher as upperclassmen.

•    Sophomore Noah Hunt, of Muncy, was named a National Wrestling Coaches Association Division III Scholar All-American for the second time. To be eligible for the academic honor, a student-athlete must have either a cumulative 3.2 GPA or higher, or a 3.2 GPA or higher over the last two semesters. Athletically, nominated student-athletes must be a national qualifier with a minimum .500 overall win/loss record; OR placed top eight at

regionals with a minimum .500 overall record and participate in at least 50% of teams competitions; OR must have an overall win/loss record of .665 and have competed in at least 50% of teams competitions.

•    Nine softball players earned All-America Scholar-Athlete accolades when Easton/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) rolled out academic honors. Cited were Taylor Cashner, of Danville; Hailey DeBrody, of Cogan Station; Eisenhauer; Herriman; Mangene; Morder; Rusnock; Specht; and Splain. For an individual to be tabbed All-America Scholar-Athlete, the player must maintain a cumulative GPA of a 3.5 or higher for the season.

Also:
•    The college’s baseball team earned the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Team Academic Excellence Award (3.0 average minimum GPA).
•    The men’s and women’s soccer teams were honored as United Soccer Coaches (USC) Team Academic Award winners with GPAs of 3.32 and 3.42, respectively — the men’s soccer team earned similar honors in 2018, 2019 and 2020, and the women’s team did so in 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2021.
•     The men's lacrosse team received the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) Team Academic Award, which is given to any NCAA Division I, II or III program that achieves a 3.0-grade point average for the 2022 spring semester.

UNITED EAST GROWS
On July 6, the addition of Clarks Summit University as an associate member in men’s golf and men’s tennis was announced.

Last year, the Defenders men’s tennis squad competed in nine matches, including two against current United East members Lancaster Bible College and Penn State Harrisburg. The Clarks Summit golf team also teed off in five competitions over the 2021-22 season.

SCHEDULES/RECORDS
Men’s soccer
UE: 0-0
Overall: 0-0
Thursday, Sept. 1 — host Keystone College, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 3 — host McDaniel College, 3 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 7 — at Alfred State College, 4 p.m.

Women’s soccer
UE: 0-0
Overall: 0-0
Thursday, Sept. 1 — host King’s College, 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 3 — at Wilkes University, noon
Monday, Sept. 5 — at Geneva College, 7 p.m.
Women’s volleyball
UE: 0-0
Overall: 0-0
Thursday, Sept. 1 — at Lycoming College, 5 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 3 — at Carin University, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 6 — at Clarks Summit University, 7 p.m.

Men’s/women’s cross-country
Saturday, Sept. 3 — at Mansfield Short Course, 9:30 a.m.
Saturday, Sept. 10 — at Lebanon Valley College Dutchmen Invitational, 10:15 a.m.

Men’s/women’s tennis
Overall: 0-0
Friday, Sept. 9 — at Misericordia University, 3 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 11 — host Susquehanna University, 11 a.m.

Golf
Wednesday, Sept. 14 — at Elizabethtown College, TBA
Friday, Sept. 16 — Mountain Valley Classic Day 1 at Sinking Valley Country Club (Altoona), 10:30 a.m.
Saturday, Sept. 16 — Mountain Valley Classic Day 2 at Summit Country Club (Cresson), noon

Esports
TBA

For more about the United East, visit the conference website.
For additional information, visit the Wildcats Athletics website.

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