Courtesy photo
Ella McKnight, a junior high student at Hollidaysburg, recently took first place in three separate races.
SEVEN SPRINGS — For a third straight season, Hollidaysburg Junior High student Ella McKnight earned the top spot in the Western Regional Alpine Ski Race standings.
This year, McKnight, 13, secured first-place finishes in giant slalom, slalom and super giant slalom races.
She now will advance to the PA State Alpine Championships at Seven Springs on Feb. 22-23 where she will go after her second state title in three years.
HOF on horizon
JOHNSTOWN — The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown will induct seven new members as part of the 16th Athletics Hall of Fame class on Saturday, April 26 in the Pitt-Johnstown Wellness Center.
The Class of 2025 includes: Thad Benton 2006 (wrestling), Eric Bowser 1992 (wrestling), Quinton Davis 2009 (men’s basketball), Janet Hess 1995 (women’s basketball), Melissa Patterson-Yarkowski 2005 (women’s basketball) and Alicia Zack-Brentzel 2011 (women’s soccer).
The UPJ Athletics Hall of Fame was created in 2007 to honor prestigious groups of athletes, coaches, and university supporters and their champion spirits. These individuals merit distinction for their accomplishments and leadership in athletic endeavors for Pitt-Johnstown. Since its inception in 2007, 80 individuals and three teams have earned induction.
The reception is 4:30 p.m. in the Sports Center Hall of Fame Room and dinner is 5:30 p.m. in the Wellness Center. UPJ alum and Tribune-Democrat sportswriter Mike Mastovich will serve as emcee for this year’s event.
Hoop Shoot held
LOYSBURG — The Northern Bedford County PTO recently held its 2025 Hoop Shoot Contest for boys and girls ages elementary through high school in the school district.
Some of the winners included Alex Kochara and Halee Baker as the 3-point champs for boys and girls, respectively, along with several boys and girls groups in ages 9 through 14.
That list includes: age 14 girls, Blaire Gable, 1st, Avery Smith, 2nd; age 14 boys, Nevin Lloyd, 1st, Braden Zellers, 2nd, Kyan Baas, 3rd; Age 13 girls, Ava Verbit, 1st, Alexandra Snider, 2nd, Holly Shriner, 3rd; Age 13 boys, Brady Black, 1st, Isaiah Morrow, 2nd, Carter Larson, 3rd; Age 12 girls, Mya Conley, 1st, Joelle Widmann, 2nd, Aday Brockus, 3rd; Age 12 boys, Dylan Deitle, Christian Moyer, 2nd, Brayden Houp, third; Age 11 girls, Sadie Barton, 1st, Lillian Doroba, 2nd, Blake Bollman, 3rd; Age 11 boys, Maddox Snider, 1st, Rowan Lloyd, 2nd, Braden Cottle, 3rd; Age 10 girls, Alexis Morningstar, 1st; Age 10 boys, Trevor Deitle, 1st, Levi Steele, 2nd, Eli Hershberger, 3rd; Age 9 girls, Alexis Oldhan, 1st; Age 9 boys, Owen Eichelberger, 1st, Aaron Lloyd, 2nd, Isaac Miller, 3rd.
And the winner is …
John Hartsock won his third consecutive overall championship in the Mirror’s Fearless Football contest, capturing the 2024 season title in a hard-fought battle by correctly picking 491 of 686 high school, college and National Football League games combined.
Buck Frank and Todd Irwin finished tied for second in the overall standings, both with an identical record of 489-195.
Hartsock won his second straight NFL Division title with a 191-59 record, tied Chris Masse of the Williamsport Sun Gazette for second place in the College Division with a 166-80 mark, and finished third in the High School Division with a 191-59 record, behind division champion Frank (195-55) and runner-up Irwin (193-57).
It was the second straight high school title for Frank, who also finished second in the NFL Division with a score of 132-56. Neil Rudel won the College Division with a score of 167-79.
