NEW CASTLE — New Castle High cross country runner Trevor Blackwell is hitting his stride.

Blackwell topped the field against Ambridge and Moon yesterday, rolling to a first-place effort of 17:33. The meet was held at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. It’s the second consecutive victory for Blackwell, a sophomore.

Blackwell won the Class AAA race at the Slippery Rock Invitational on Saturday, posting a time of 16:55.

“Trevor is running extremely well,” Red Hurricane coach Jeff Shaftic said. “For being a sophomore, he’s finally figuring out how to race. He’s getting really confident and he’s learning he’s really good.

“The sky is the limit with him. He’s going to be something. We’re pleased with his performance so far.”

New Castle beat the Bridgers (23-34), but lost to Moon (20-43).

Mike Mazzanti was 13th for New Castle in 19:33 and Alex Shepard took 19th in 20:27. Chris Mazzanti placed 20th in 20:31, while Corey Niles was 26th in 21:07.

The ’Canes’ Andrew Gonzales was third in the junior high race in 11:13.



Girls cross country

Lady ’Canes lose pair

Andrea Lansdowne placed fourth for New Castle in a meet against Ambridge and Moon.

Lansdowne finished in 22:28.

The Lady ’Canes lost to Moon (16-47) and to Ambridge (26-29). The meet was held at OLSH.

Caitlin Adamo was 12th for New Castle in 23:37 and Rebecca Paul placed 19th in 25:18.

Rachel McNickle finished 34th in 27:10 and Vanessa Turner followed in 37th in 28:04.

The Lady ’Canes Jessica Hill placed fifth in the junior high race in 13:55.



Volleyball

Lady Warriors prevail

Mohawk topped New Castle in nonsection action, 25-22, 25-16, 25-21.

Devon Giancola led the Lady Warriors (4-2) with nine kills and four digs, and Malea Tress added 28 assists and four aces.

Maria Fleck contributed 12 kills for Mohawk and Samantha Carr supplied four aces and three kills.

“Their heads just weren’t in the games,” Lady Warriors coach Britney Kwolek said. “I don’t know where they were tonight. We weren’t putting things together; we struggled.

“We let those games go a little longer than they needed to be. It’s a win, but we need to move on and get ready for the next match.”

The ’Lady Canes won the JV match 16-25, 25-23, 15-13.



Ellwood rolls

The Lady Wolverines cruised to a 25-14, 18-25, 25-19, 25-12.

Isabella Willams paced Ellwood City Lincoln (1-1, 3-1) four aces and 25 assists, while Angela McCowin followed with four aces, eight blocks, 15 kills and 10 digs.

“We shouldn’t have given up one game to Beaver Falls by any stretch,” Lady Wolverines coach Kim Frampton said. “We need to maintain consistency and we’re not doing it right now.”

The Lady Wolverines lost the JV match, 25-22, 12-25, 16-14.



Laurel holds on for win

Makayla Dupont registered 12 points and 33 assists to lead the Lady Spartans to a 26-24, 25-23, 21-25, 26-24 road win over Rochester.

Leah Telesz contributed 12 points and 10 kills for Laurel (5-0), and Allie Collier delivered 10 points and eight kills.

Rachael Baker and Kristan Fedrizzi supplied eight points apiece for the victors. Ellen Shaffer slammed 10 kills.

“It was definitely a tough game down there,” Lady Spartans coach Nikki Downing said. “The girls are coming together. We’re definitely young and we make young mistakes.”

Laurel won the JV match, 25-11, 25-18.

Makayla Dupont served up 16 points with eight aces for the Lady Spartans and Makenna Natale added seven points, five aces and four kills.

Stephanie Telesz followed with six points.



Shenango wins

The Lady Wildcats rallied from a 1-1 tie to post a 25-18, 19-25, 25-8, 25-18 nonsection win at South Side Beaver.

Nicole Watkins had three aces, while Amanda Herb added three blocks for Shenango (5-0). Christina Rapone had 10 assists, while Katie Lacey finished with eight kills and Jade Esposito contributed 13 digs.

The Lady Wildcats won the junior varsity match, 25-8, 25-9. Sarah Herb had 10 assists, while Hana Murphy and Liz Quahliero added four aces for Shenango. Dominique Camera had four kills for the winners.



Girls tennis

Lady Lancers roll

Neshannock breezed to a 4-1 Section 2-AA decision over Ellwood City.

Meg Johntony (No. 2) and Brittany Moses (No. 3) earned singles wins for Neshannock.

The doubles tandems of Maria Acosta/Cecelia Weingart (No. 1) and Arti Anna Ribarevski/Erin Warvell (No. 2) posted victories for the Lady Lancers (4-3, 4-3).

Reed Kegel (No.1) captured the Lady Wolverines’ lone win.

Following are the results:

Neshannock 4, Ellwood City 1

SINGLES

1. Reed Kegel (EC) def. Gabby Giangiuli 6-1, 6-0.

2. Meg Johntony (N) def. Lauren Stiles 6-7, 7-5, 7-6.

3. Brittany Moses (N) def. Randi Sharketti 6-2, 6-2.

DOUBLES

1. Maria Acosta/Cecelia Weingart (N) def. Molly Dean/Sam Shodd 6-1, 7-5.

2. Arti Anna Ribarevski/Erin Warvell (N) def. Marisa Pflug/Sierra Jones 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.

EXHIBITIONS

1. Madison Jones/Aleesha Berkley (N) won 6-2.

2. Jenna Richardson/Zoe Karstadt (N) lost 6-0.

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