Michael Worsen shouldn’t have even been at the Class 3A Western Regional. But the Fox Chapel senior made the most of his opportunity, entering the tournament as a late scratch and earning a spot at the PIAA tournament at 121 pounds.
Worsen, who also crossed the 100-win mark for his career, produced one of the major highlights from the winter and spring seasons during what was a busy 2024-25 for the Foxes. This is part two of a series looking back at this past school year.
Worsen became the first state qualifier from Fox Chapel since Mike Mahon qualified at 182 pounds in 2017. Worsen entered the regional tournament with 98 wins and produced four wins there and won his first match at states to finish his career with a 103-46 record.
“I definitely wasn’t thinking about states,” Worsen said. “My dad was saying you are going to states. My brother was pushing me. I was thinking about having fun. I wasn’t supposed to be there. I showed I was supposed to be there.”
Conti wins WPIAL
Claire Conti fouled on her first two throws in the discus at the WPIAL Class 3A championship at Slippery Rock University. Only one throw away from missing the finals, Conti found the performance she needed to advance.
Conti’s throw of 137 feet allowed her to claim her first WPIAL championship. Conti also qualified for states in the shot put.
“Going into the third row to try and make it to the finals was the most stress I ever felt in my life,” Conti said. “I had to calm down, breathe and be in the moment.”
Pasquella wins state title
Sarah Pasquella won a PIAA Class 3A championship in the 200-yard breaststroke. She also finished fifth in the 100 breast. Pasquella also teamed with Josie Stanczak, Charlotte Rusche and Grace Kovach to place fourth in the 400 free relay.
Hockey in Pens Cup final
The Foxes reached the Penguins Cup for the second time in three seasons. Fox Chapel lost to Erie Cathedral Prep in overtime of the Class 2A title game.
Dom Casile and Tucker Cullen scored all four goals for Fox Chapel in in a 5-4 loss.
Softball grabs upset
Fox Chapel had a season filled with peaks and valleys. The Foxes’ apex came during the first round of the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs. Fox Chapel shut down a powerful Franklin Regional offense to produce a 4-0 win.
Foxes pitcher Jillian Haigh struck out eight batters. Section rival North Hills knocked out Fox Chapel (13-7) in the next round.
Boys basketball fits in 6A
Fox Chapel had a team that was hit hard by graduation and went up a classification. But the Foxes were up to the task, placing second in the section to reach the WPIAL playoffs.
Tennis pair places 3rd
Mason Friday and Frank Siegel teamed up to win the section tennis title. They went on to finish third at WPIALs, just missing out on a spot at the PIAA playoffs.
Girls back in playoffs
The Foxes returned to the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs and were tripped up in the first round by eventual champion Peters Township, 66-58.