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Canon-Mac's Zahn wants more in 2010
Heading into the PIAA Track and Field Championships, Canon-McMillan junior Chelsea Zahn would have been thrilled with a fifth-place finish in the Class AAA girls discus.
That is until Zahn, competing at the state meet for the first time, saw the competition.
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"Honestly, I wasn't nervous to start," Zahn said. "I felt so positive. I felt like I could win. I had my steps down perfectly, I just had to go slow."
A two-time Field MVP at the Washington-Greene County Coaches Meet, Zahn sped things up when she entered the finals with a top throw of 122-1.
That throw proved good enough to medal as Zahn placed fifth to become the second Canon-McMillan thrower - Zane Zebrasky was fifth in the javelin in 2008 - in as many years under the direction of Big Macs' throwing coach Joe Grosso to place at states.
Hempfield sophomore Rachel Serafin won the event at 132-4, a distance Zahn hit with regularity during warmups on Saturday, May 23.
"Half of me is proud because I had an amazing season and I accomplished every goal I made for myself," Zahn said. "At the same time, I'm a little upset because I know I could have done better."
Lucky for Zahn, there's next year.
"I already have huge adrenaline going into my senior year," Zahn said. "I'm going to work hard every day. Now that I know how everything works out at states, I really want to come back with a gold medal."
Offers roll in for Hagan
Canon-McMillan's Chad Hagan did not play football as a sophomore and he's coming off surgery for a stress fracture in his shin but that hasn't kept the 6-1, 210 senior-to-be from garnering serious Division I attention.
Hagan, already a three-year letterwinner in basketball, returned to the football team for his junior year and brought back the big-play ability he displayed as a freshman.
Illinois was the first to offer Hagan, who ran a 4.29 40-yard dash in one skills camp. Since taking the SATs, Hagan received offers from Ohio State, Wisconsin and Michigan.
One unusual aspect of Hagan's recruitment is, depending on the school, he's being evaluated at three different positions - tailback, free safety and outside linebacker.
North Carolina State and Buffalo also have offered, and Penn State, Pitt and West Virginia are among the others interested.
Finishing in record time
Washington senior Mike McCormick ran the best race of his varsity track career in his final race at last weekend's PIAA Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University.
McCormick placed 11th in the Class AA 1,600 final with a time of 4:32.82.
It was a personal best for McCormick, who set his previous PR of 4:33.60 the day before Saturday's final in the preliminary heat.
Jim Montecalvo Memorial Golf Outing
Jim Montecalvo's love of sports was evident throughout his life, whether it was playing football at Washington High School, golf at Bethany College or writing about local athletics with a personal touch as a key member of the Observer-Reporter's sports staff.
Montecalvo battled an immune deficiency throughout his life and died on June 7, 2008 at the age of 26.
In honor, Valleybrook Golf Club in McMurray will host the Jim Montecalvo Memorial Golf Outing on June 29, beginning with a cookout lunch at noon. Tee time is at 1 p.m. and a steak dinner will be served at 7 p.m. with a cocktail hour and Chinese auction preceding at 6 p.m.
Proceeds from the outing benefit the Jim Montecalvo Memorial Scholarship, awarded annually to a deserving scholar who is furthering his or her education at a Presidents' Athletic Conference school.
This year's outing costs $125 per player or $35 for dinner only. Corporate sponsors, hole sponsors and contributions for the Chinese auction are also appreciated.
Those interested are asked to respond by Monday, June 15. Checks accompanying your reservation will be made to the Jim Montecalvo Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Chris Dugan, Sports Editor, The Observer-Reporter, 122 S. Main St., Washington, Pa, 15301.
