By Mike Kovak, Staff writer

mkovak@observer-reporter.com

Taking aim against the top shooters in the WPIAL or state is nothing new for Avella High School senior-to-be Robbie Gagliani.

Earlier this year, the 17-year-old Gagliani became the first shooter in WPIAL history to win at least a share of back-to-back WPIAL individual rifle championships.

His success on the high school circuit is one reason why Gagliani was approached to participate in the National Rifle Association's Rifle and Pistol Matches, which are taking place this weekend at Camp Perry near Port Clinton, Ohio.

"It's a lot different than a WPIAL match," Gagliani said Saturday, after he competed the second-day of individual competition. Today, Gagliani is scheduled to compete in a team shoot.

"In the WPIAL, you only shoot from the prone position. Up here, there's three positions - prone, standing and kneeling. Plus, this is outdoors. The sun is out and it's hot. It's a lot different."

Also, the Rifle and Pistol Matches are open to shooters of various ages and backgrounds. The competition includes top high-school shooters, military personnel and college shooters, among others.

"I've only competed in two previous outdoor matches," Gagliani said. "For the first time at something like this, I didn't do bad at all."

Gagliani, a youth baseball and softball umpire during the summer in addition to being an Avella junior volunteer fireman, finished 62nd out of 310 shooters on Friday and 80th on Saturday.

"To be honest, I try not to let myself get too nervous out there," said Gagliani, who is drawing interest from the University of Akron's rifle team. "Shooting is a really relaxing thing for me. When I'm competing, I just focus on shooting."

The NRA National Matches, considered one of the premier shooting events in the country, have been at Camp Perry since 1907. The matches are open to members of the NRA.

Checton back to college

Adam Checton, the boys basketball coach at Mapletown High School the last two years, is leaving the Maples to take the same position at Penn State-Fayette.

The 26-year-old Checton compiled a 20-26 record at Mapletown, where he guided the Maples to a WPIAL Class A playoff appearance in 2008.

Checton replaces former California University basketball standout Dana Zajicek at Penn-State Fayette, a NCAA Division III school. Zajicek spent two years there, going winless in his first and finishing 5-19 last season.

Mapletown hired Checton under unusual circumstances. Long-time coach Fred Morecraft - currently at Jefferson-Morgan - resigned in mid-November and Checton was hired days before the 2006-07 season began. Checton and assistant Brian Moody watched Mapletown's season-opener at Chartiers-Houston from the front row. The Maples were coached by Bobby Erjavek before Checton's paperwork cleared.

Cal hires Obranovich

The California School Board recently approved the hiring of Adam Obranovich as its boys soccer coach.

At 21, Obranovich is likely the WPIAL's youngest head coach. He's also a student at California University and was a player on the Vulcans' men's team until injuries sidelined his playing career.

It's not the first time California picked a Cal U. student to coach a varsity program.

Phil Pergola, the Trojans' athletic director, hired Lloyd Price as girls basketball coach when Price was 21-years-old and putting together a strong career as a linebacker at California University. Price led the Trojans to three wins in two years but helped parlay the experience into becoming the athletic director at Ringgold when he was 24.

Camp results

The All-Basketball Camp at California University was held from July 7 to 10 and several of the area's top varsity players attended.

Lexi Kamphaus, a key component of the Peters Township girls WPIAL Class AAAA finalists, won the free-throw championship. Other individual tournament champions were: Yough's Kayleigh Murphy (knockout), Upper St. Clair's Maggie Betschart (three-point shooting) and Upper St. Clair's Michaela Staats (speed dribble). The three-on-three champions were Chelsea Stewart and Lauren Gross of Southmoreland along with Staats, Kelli Findle and Jordan Serio of Upper St. Clair.

And finally

South Fayette High School named Michael Ladick as its head wrestling coach. Ladick is the son of Bob Ladick, who coached at Woodland Hills, Swissvale, and Bishop Boyle.

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