The Spring Cove School Board approved Shawn Coppersmith as the Central varsity head varsity girls’ tennis coach for the 2023-24 season Monday evening with a salary of $2,111.20. Coppersmith, who was the assistant varsity girls’ tennis coach for a little more than a year, is taking over for long-time coach John Riley who recently retired.
Name: Kasey Reid High school: Altoona Area Hometown: Altoona Sport: Rugby Position: Lock College: Penn State Other colleges considered:None Why I picked Penn State: “Penn State has been a family favorite for sports and schooling. And when I started playing rugby they were my first team I started following.” Greatest high school achievement: 15’s All-State player Coach Andy Haines quote: “Kasey is only in her second year of playing rugby, but her skill and athleticism has stood out from day one. Playing Lock in rugby, she stabilizes scrums, is a dynamic rucker and he ...
By John Hartsock jhartsock@altoonamirror.com Citing work and family commitments, John Riley has resigned as the head girls tennis coach at Central High School after winning over 100 matches and a District 6 Class 2A team championship during his 16-year tenure. Riley, 53, was recently hired as a full-time warehouse associate at the Value Drug Company in Duncansville, and cited conflicts with his work schedule as the reason for submitting his resignation as Central’s coach. “I’ve been looking for a full-time position for a couple of years, and I got one,’’ Riley said. ...
Name: Braedan Oravecz High school: Portage Area Sport: Football Position: Offensive line College choice: Mansfield University Other colleges considered: Air Force Why I picked Mansfield: “They have a football program that I was able to play in. My parents also went there, so it means a little bit more.’’ Greatest high school achievement: “Scoring a touchdown on senior night.’’ Coach Marty Slanoc’s quote: “Braedan is the type of player any coach would love — effort, unselfishness and great leadership on and off the field. He was a big part of our success ...
Name: Ian Bennett High school: Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic Hometown: Altoona Sport: Football Position: Long snapper College choice: Juniata Other colleges considered: Harvard, Duke, Pitt Why I picked Juniata football: “To enjoy making friends and to add to my college experience.’’ Greatest high school achievement: “Being valedictorian.’’ Coach Justin Wheeler’s quote: “Extremely hard working and talented player who was BG’s valedictorian so he was also extremely bright, which made him easy to coach. His work ethic and desire to be the best will make him ...
Name: Ben Dodson High school: Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic Hometown: East Freedom Sport: E-Sports College choice: Saint Francis Other colleges considered: Penn State Why I picked E-Sports: “I always loved playing games while growing up.’’ Greatest high school achievement: “High academic honors most of high school.’’ Coach Jonathan Shaw’s quote: “This program couldn’t have been what it was this year without students like Ben. He’s been more like my mentor than me being his mentor.’’ Favorite college growing up: Ohio State Other interests: Car shows, hanging ...