Junior Fawn Brendel posted the best finish by a Brentwood girls swimmer in more than two decades at the WPIAL Class 2A championships at Trees Pool.

Seeded 16th, Brendel broke her own school record in the 100-yard butterfly event for the fifth time this season, placing 11th with a time of 1:01.55. She cut 2.25 seconds from her seed time at the WPIAL meet and lowered her time by six seconds over the course of the season.

Brendel started the 2025-26 season owning the school record in the 100 butterfly at 1:07.55.

Among her activities and accolades at Brentwood, Brendel has a GPA above 4.0, is class treasurer and a National Honor Society member.

Bright future

The Baldwin girls basketball team finished 23-6 overall this season after advancing to the WPIAL and PIAA playoffs.

Despite losing four senior guards to graduation, Baldwin coach Jamal Woodson already is charged-up for the 2026-27 season.

The Highlanders will move up from Class 5A to 6A for the next two seasons.

“We’re excited about the challenge ahead,” Woodson said. “Our expectations are high. We fell just short of winning our section this year, so that’s a major goal for us. We want to take that next step.

“At the same time, we’re focused on making a WPIAL playoff appearance for the first time since 1983. That would mean a lot to our program and our community.”

Baldwin will have five players back from 2025-26 on next year’s team, led by junior guards Lynsey Bernotas and Kelsey Meyer. Also returning will be sophomores Hanna Prilla at forward and Mia Schwarzmiller at guard and freshman Alia Bernotas at guard.

“We know moving up in classification won’t be easy,” Woodson said, “but we believe in the culture we’ve built and the players we have coming back.

“If we stay committed, continue to develop and keep that same level of buy-in, we’re confident we can compete at a high level.”

Family friendly

It’s definitely a family affair on the Baldwin softball coaching staff.

Head coach Ron Santillo is assisted by his daughter Carly, along with Steve Dadig and his daughter, Taylor.

“Taylor and Carly have done an amazing job of transitioning from playing at the highest levels to now coaching with the same intensity and love for the game,” Santillo said. “We don’t keep a separate JV staff. We coach every girl the same and expect the same results — improvement.

“We are very proud that every senior we have coached has been offered to play in college.”

Winning start

Opening day for the Baldwin baseball team was a positive experience.

The Highlanders outslugged West Allegheny, 13-8, in a nonsection game.

Hudson McKain, a sophomore, racked up three hits and three RBIs for Baldwin. Seniors Nico Macurak and Ethan Helbling complemented McKain offensively. Macurak doubled and drove in a pair and Helbling added three RBIs.

Boehm at UPJ

Brentwood graduate Paige Boehm was a three-sport standout in high school as a four-year letter winner in softball, basketball and volleyball.

Boehm currently is continuing her softball career as a freshman outfielder and biology major on the Pitt-Johnstown softball team.

She was an all-section competitor and is the daughter of James and Stephanie Boehm.