Athletics Articles

The Pennsylvania College of Technology tennis team has a new coach this season and he's looking to build the program from the ground up. In fact, he's still looking for players."I'm trying to get the word out on campus that there is a tennis team and we need people," Davis Santucci said.

New Pennsylvania College of Technology men's soccer coach Jeff Finn has a tough act to follow. Finn succeeds Andy Richardson, whose Wildcat teams went 113-51-10 in 13 seasons and won league championships in 2000 and last year. While Finn has some big shoes to fill, the fact that he was Richardson's assistant coach for the last two years is a definite plus.

If ever there was a golden era in Pennsylvania College of Technology golf, it is now.

Whether his teams return two veterans or 12, Pennsylvania College of Technology cross country coach Mike Paulhamus is always optimistic about his upcoming season. "I always keep a positive frame, so I'm looking at just doing what we've done the last couple of years. Our goal is win the state championship again," the fifth-year coach said.

With nine returning players, including the co-most valuable players from last year's championship team, things are looking good for the Pennsylvania College of Technology women's volleyball team.

Pennsylvania College of Technology baseball coach Rees Daneker thinks his team will be strong defensively, but wonders how the early-season pitching will hold up. It won't take him long to find out as the Wildcats are scheduled to open their season with doubleheaders Saturday and Sunday at Bowman Field against Westmoreland Community College. Saturday's action begins at 2 p.m.

Gilbert "Gibby" Balliet, a Pennsylvania College of Technology sophomore from Watsontown, shot a record 62 on the Vintage Course at the White Deer Golf Complex on Aug. 7. Witnessing Balliet's 10-under-par round was Ben Hameetman, son of Ruth E. Hameetman, an instructor of business administration at the college. Balliet's previous best on the course was a 67.

Over the years, Pennsylvania College of Technology athletic teams have had their share of success, but nothing has come close to matching the achievements of the recently completed 2004-05 seasons. Last fall, for the first time ever, the college fielded eight sports teams. All of them reached the post-season playoffs, with five claiming 11 championships.

Eighty-seven Pennsylvania College of Technology athletes have earned Commonwealth Campus Athletic Conference Academic All-Conference honors. Athletes must carry at least a 3.0 grade-point average to qualify.

Twelve Pennsylvania College of Technology winter and spring sports athletes have been honored with all-state or all-conference awards. Earning all-Pennsylvania Collegiate Athletic Association honors were Katylyn Stupar (State College) in women's basketball, James Woodring (Waynesboro) in baseball and Beth Hoffman (East Juniata) in softball.