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Athlete of the Week

Ratchford leads CC to 2A title

Name: Marley Ratchford School: Central Cambria Age: 17 Grade: Senior Sport: Tennis Athlete of the week achievement: Ratchford defeated District 6 2A singles champion Julia Ritchey at No. 1 singles to lead the Lady Devils to a D6 2A team semifinal win over Central. She also won at No. 1 singles to help CC upset No. 1 seed Westmont Hilltop for the district team championship. Season update: Central Cambria will compete in the PIAA team tournament first round on Tuesday, Oct. 22. Coach Kim Cavalier’s quote: “Marley is our team leader, a positive influence on all of us, ...

Noce has passion for running

Name: Ashlyn Noce School: Altoona Area Age: 15 Grade: Sophomore Sport: Cross country Athlete of the week achievement: She finished second overall in 19:40 at the John Sample Invitational in Grove City in a field of 126 runners, and helped Altoona to a second-place team finish. Earlier in the week, Noce won in 20:05 in a victory over Mifflin County. Season update: Noce is currently ranked as the No. 33 sophomore female runner in the state. Coach Tabitha Quinn’s quote: “Ashlyn is compassionate about running for her team as a family unit. I am so proud of her mindset. She is ...

Kissell earns a passing grade

Name: Chase Kissell School: Bishop Guilfoyle Academy Age: 18 Grade: Senior Sport: Football Athlete of the week achievement: Kissell was 14-for-16 and threw for 264 yards and four touchdowns and recovered an onside kick to lead Bishop Guilfoyle Academy to a 41-12 win over Bellwood-Antis on Saturday at Mansion Park. Season update: Bishop Guilfoyle Academy is 7-0, and Kissell has completed 96 passes on 132 attempts for 1,674 yards and 20 touchdowns. Coach Justin Wheeler’s quote: “He’s been incredible. We knew he would be one of the best quarterbacks in the area, and ...

Schreier showing consistency

Name: Holden Schreier School: Bellwood-Antis Age: 17 Grade: Senior Sport: Football Athlete of the week achievement: Schreier went 10-for-18 with no interceptions and threw for 216 yards and three touchdowns in the Blue Devils’ 28-0 win over Philipsburg-Osceola. He also rushed the ball six times for 56 yards and ran in a two-point conversion. Season update: Schreier is 49-for-87 for 815 yards, six touchdowns and has thrown just two interceptions this season. He’s also rushed for a pair of scores. Coach Nick Lovrich’s quote: “We thought Holden did a really good job ...

Ritchey reaches top of district

Name: Julia Ritchey School: Central Age: 17 Grade: Senior Sport: Tennis Athlete of the week achievement: Ritchey avenged a loss in last year’s District 6 Class 2A singles championship to Central Cambria’s Marley Ratchford and won, 6-3, 6-2, to claim the district title. Season update: Ritchey finished 3-0 against Ratchford this season and will advance to play in the state championship tournament. Ritchey is 15-3 overall this year. Coach Shaun Coppersmith’s quote: “She is really dedicated and works just as hard as anyone I’ve seen in any sport. Getting her to try ...

O’Dea goes extra mile for AAHS

Name: Sophia O’Dea School: Altoona Area Age: 16 Grade: Junior Sport: Soccer Athlete of the week achievement: O’Dea had two goals in a 4-1 win over Williamsport, a goal and two assists in a 4-2 win over DuBois and had two assists for the Lady Lions in a 12-0 victory over Central Dauphin East. Season update: Through 10 games, O’Dea has six goals and six assists, and Altoona is 8-2. Coach Marc Frye’s quote: “Sophia is an extremely gifted soccer player. She has the athleticism to play any position on the pitch at a high level and make it look easy. She has been ...