Norwin is known for its almost year-round training for track and field and cross country.
Running is a lifestyle at the school.
Athletes scale hills, trek through wooded trails and circle the track, even in the winter when it is snowing.
The man in charge of the training — he runs with the pack and posts videos along the way — was rewarded for one of the Norwin girls cross country team’s finest and most dominant seasons.
Brian Fleckenstein was recognized nationally for guiding the Knights to their first PIAA cross country championship and first WPIAL title in the sport since 2009. On Monday, he was named the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association’s Pennsylvania coach of the year.
“It means quite a bit to see our program be recognized,” Fleckenstein said. “I’ve watched this list every year for a while and am fortunate to know many coaches from other states and PA who have made the list.”
One boys and girls coach from each state was selected for the honor. They are now eligible for the USTFCCCA national coach of the year award.
The boys winner from Pennsylvania is Mike Werner of North Penn.
Fleckenstein was named the Pennsylvania Track and Field Coaches Association Coach of the Year in November.
“To me, it’s just a recognition of how hard our kids have worked and what they’ve put into this sport and commitment to their teammates. It’s pretty cool and I’m very humbled.”
Pfeifer goes D-1
Norwin senior punter Evan Pfeifer accepted a preferred walk-on offer from Buffalo, a Division I football program that competes in the Mid-American Conference.
His deal includes academic money and a revenue sharing opportunity. Pfeifer averaged 41.1 yards per punt this season and put 20 of 30 kicks inside the 20-yard line.
Spartans record
The indoor track and field season is young, but Hempfield senior Jonathan Stetchok is in midseason form.
Stotchok set a school record last weekend in the 3,200-meter run with a time of 9 minutes, 24.23 seconds.
Viola selected
Norwin martial artist Gabby Viola will have a sponsor in 2026.
Viola will partner with Edgar Snyder & Associates as an athlete ambassador, representing the law firm in competitions and other events.
Viola, 15, is part of Team USA Kickboxing and competes internationally with the U.S. Army Fight Team.
She has won world titles and international medals in Ireland, Portugal, Canada, France, Hungary and the United Kingdom.
What has made her journey more impressive is her battle with inflammatory bowel disease, with which she was diagnosed at age 7. She undergoes monthly infusions at UPMC Children’s Hospital.
“Gabby represents everything our firm believes in — strength through adversity, leadership and community impact,” said Rob Fisher, Chief Marketing Officer and Owner at Edgar Snyder & Associates. “Her determination on and off the mat reflects the same values we strive to uphold every day in our work throughout Western Pennsylvania.”
Tavares to Cal (Pa.)
Norwin standout quarterback Tristyn Tavares announced he will play at Cal (Pa.). A four-year starter, Tavares was a first-team all-conference selection in Class 6A. He threw for 1,243 yards and 13 touchdowns and rushed for 738 yards and 12 scores to lead the Knights to a third-place finish in the conference and their first WPIAL playoff berth since 2017.
He also had Division II offers from West Liberty and Edinboro, along with several Division III schools.
For his career, Tavares threw for 5,717 yards and 51 TDs, and ran for 1,210 yards and 27 scores.
Mendoza goes D2
Jeannette senior linebacker Nick Mendoza committed to West Liberty of the Division II Mountain East Conference. Mendoza was third on the team this season with 59 tackles, two for loss, one sack and a forced fumble. He also rushed for 381 yards and six TDs.
Hutter commits
River Valley senior running back and linebacker Brody Hutter, who transferred from Mt. Pleasant, committed to Division II West Liberty.
He also considered Cal (Pa.), Baldwin Wallace, Shenandoah, Grove City and others.
Hutter this year ran for 677 yards and 10 touchdowns and had 50 tackles, six for loss.
More recruiting
• Derry senior lineman Dylan Pitzer pulled in a Division II scholarship offer from IUP. Pitzer (6-7, 270), a Class 3A all-state pick and the Interstate Conference Lineman of the Year, also holds offers from Glenville State and Clarion.
• Penn-Trafford football players Jamison Yurt and Aiden Toth will join forces at Grove City College. Yurt is a 6-foot-1, 220-pounder who plays fullback and linebacker. Toth (6-1, 270) is a two-way lineman.
• Lucah Butler, another Penn-Trafford player, received a Division II offer from Wheeling. Butler (6-1, 215) is getting recruited as a linebacker.
• Cal (Pa.), Mansfield and IUP are the latest Division II schools to offer Hempfield senior receiver and defensive back Jack Kopas.
• Belle Vernon senior kicker and punter Preston Rathway picked up an offer to play at IUP. Rathway, a five-star punter, averaged 39.6 yards per punt this season, with a long of 62, and had 26 touchbacks on 42 kickoffs. He also holds an offer from Edinboro.
• Jerry Davis, a senior at Greensburg Central Catholic, will be a two-sport athlete at Geneva. Davis will play football and run track. A wide receiver and strong safety for the Centurions, he won a PIAA title and two WPIAL titles in the 400-meter dash.
• Tyler Jones, a senior at Ligonier Valley, will play golf at Division III Saint Francis. Jones is a four-time WPIAL Class 2A finalist who finished eighth in the WPIAL last fall and qualified for the PIAA tournament.
• Three transfers and four high school seniors have committed to the Westmoreland County Community College baseball team for next season. The transfers, all Plum graduates, are infielder Jake Domkowski, who played at Mercyhurst last year; outfielder Sean Franzi, who is leaving IUP, and pitcher Erik Streussnig, who began his college career at Washington & Jefferson.
The incoming freshmen are outfielder Luke Murray (Hempfield), pitcher Greg Huff (Plum), Brodie Dewberry (Wilmington) and outfielder Noah Rattigan (Jeannette).