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,” he said. “It’s pretty cool and I’m very humbled.”
Viola selected
Norwin martial artis 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.”
Girls still No. 1
Norwin remained No. 1 in the TribLive Class 6A girls basketball rankings through 14 games.
Norwin (12-2, 4-1), which was tied for first in Section 2-6A with Canon-McMillan (11-4, 4-1), won three of four games, including a 51-48 win over North Hills.
Freshman Giuliana Giannikas continued to make her mark on the team, tying a game high with 16 points, while Aubrey Graney added 12, in the victory.
Boys tied for third
The Norwin boys basketball team handled Connellsville, 81-34, to move into a four-way tie for third place in Section 2-6A with Hempfield, Mt. Lebanon and Imani Christian.
Alex Graney, who recently returned to the lineup after an illness, had 15 points. Mario Csukas added 14 for the Knights (9-7, 4-4).
Lenart offered
IUP offered Norwin senior linebacker, tight end and long-snapper Josh Lenart. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Lenart, a first-team all-conference pick on defense, had 28 tackles, six for loss, two sacks and an interception this season for the Knights.
Lenart has five Division II offers from PSAC schools. The others are from Edinboro, Seton Hill, Gannon and Clarion.
College scene
A glance at Norwin’s athletes playing in college:
Men’s basketball
Pitt-Johnstown: Junior guard Adam Bilinsky (Norwin) scored 15 points and dished four assists but the Mountain Cats fell to Clarion, 84-79.
Women’s basketball
Allegheny: Sophomore Ava Kobus tied a season high with 20 points, adding four rebounds and two blocks in a 72-67 victory over Grove City. Kobus played 31 minutes off the bench and made 9 of 15 shots.
Bethany: Junior forward Kate Botti had 11 points, eight rebounds and four assists in 25 minutes as the Bison defeated Thiel, 82-56, for their seventh win in eight games.
Chatham: Senior Alyssa Laukus led all scorers with 25 points and eclipsed the 1,000-point mark for her career as the Cougars toppled Grove City, 84-54. Laukas, the seventh player in program history to reach the milestone, was 11 for 15 from the field, grabbed seven rebounds and dished five assists.
Holy Family: Sophomore Lauren Palangio scored nine points and grabbed seven rebounds in 20 minutes off the bench in a 54-36 victory over Bridgeport.
Wrestling
Pitt: Redshirt junior 184-pounder Chase Kranitz knocked off No. 19 Ian Bush, 4-2, to start the 15th-ranked Panthers on a comeback against No. 22 West Virginia.
Women’s track & field
Duquesne: Freshman Brandi Brozeski placed sixth in the long jump with a mark of 17 feet, 9.5 inches, and seventh in the high jump (5 feet, 3.25 inches), and freshman Melani Schmidt took sixth in the 200 (25.75) at the YSU Collegiate Invitational.