A scholarship has been established in the name of late Norwin coach and athletic director Randy Rovesti, who died last month at age 74.
The scholarship does not yet have a set value, but it will be given each year to a graduating senior at Norwin.
It will begin next school year.
Multi-sport athletes might be given preference because of Rovesti’s fondness for those who did not specialize.
The winner must have “dedication to learning and consistent effort,” as well as “discipline, sportsmanship and a team-first mentality,” according to the guidelines, which stress work ethic.
Setting an example as a positive role model, having accountability and having the ability to inspire also play a role, as does service to school and community through volunteering and mentoring.
The scholarship carries with it a sense of pride for Rovesti’s family and friends.
“For our family, the scholarship creates a lasting connection to the students and the Norwin School District that were a big part of my dad’s life story,” said Rovesti’s son, Randy. “The scholarship also provides purpose to our family by allowing my dad’s name and legacy to be associated with opportunity and helping future students pursue their goals while carrying forward the core values that my dad embodied and defined his life.”
The Norwin School District Community Foundation is handling donations online — enter J. Randall “Randy” Rovesti Memorial Scholarship — or via mail: Norwin School District Community Foundation, 281 McMahon Drive, North Huntingdon, PA 15642.
Heavy hitters
A pair of local teams will go against two of the top players in the state Monday in the first round of the PIAA softball and baseball playoffs.
Both standouts are Penn State commits.
Mt. Pleasant softball will see stellar pitcher Maddy Vogan of Sharon when the teams play at noon at Allegheny College.
Vogan’s numbers will get your attention. She is 21-0 with a 0.11 ERA and 289 strikeouts, and she also bats .625 with eight home runs, 39 runs and 28 RBIs.
Greensburg Central Catholic baseball, meantime, will face Claysburg-Kimmel’s Mason Campagna at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Claysburg-Kimmel.
Campagna is an offensive terror who is hitting .550 with six homers, 29 RBIs and 33 runs scored.
What is unique to the matchup is Campagna and GCC’s Anthony Grippo are going to Penn State as catchers, so they will be teammates who could compete against each other for playing time.
The plot thickens: Campagna and Grippo were travel-ball teammates and have known each other since they were 12.
Twice as nice
Penn-Trafford senior Torrie DeStefano is going to be a two-sport athlete at the next level.
DeStefano had already committed to play basketball for Setyon Hill but announced last week she will also play softball.
She thanked Griffins coaches Maeve Gallagher (basketball) and Mandy Sansbury (softball) for making the dual-sport lifestyle possible for her.
That unique thing about DeStefano is this was her first year playing high school softball. She grew up playing baseball.
When she joined the softball team this spring, coach Denny Little immediately put her at shortstop, knowing she could play the position well and bring a heavy bat to the order.
Cunningham schedule out
Organizers announced the schedule for the sixth annual Tre Cunningham Memorial Basketball Tournament later this month at Jeannette High School.
Norwin finished second last year after falling to Imani Christian, 66-57, in the final.
The event is for boys varsity teams and celebrates the memory of Cunningham, a former multi-sport standout for the Jayhawks who died in 2020.
Pool play begins June 11 with Jeannette vs. Yough at 6 p.m., Norwin vs. Ringgold at 7, Hempfield vs. Penn-Trafford at 8 and Ringgold vs. Greensburg Central Catholic at 9.
Yough will play Greensburg Salem at 7:30 at Jeannette McKee Elementary School.
On June 12, the schedule has Westmont Hilltop vs. Norwin at 6 p.m., Belle Vernon vs. Greensburg Salem at 7, Westmont Hilltop vs. Hempfield at 8, and Belle Vernon vs. Mt. Pleasant at 9.
Two games at the elementary school are Mt. Pleasant vs. Norwin at 7:30 and Penn-Trafford vs. GCC at 8:30.
A single-elimination tournament will be played June 13. The MVP will receive a $1,000 scholarship.
Recruiting
• Norwin football lineman Sebastian Summerville picked up his first NCAA Division II scholarship offer, from Fairmont State. Summerville is a 6-foot-5, 280-pound two-way lineman. He also is a heavyweight wrestler for the Knights.
• Belle Vernon football player Cameron Jenko, a 6-foot-1, 220-pound junior, received a Division II offer from Gannon. He played fullback and edge rusher for the Leopards.
• Jeannette junior football player Jayce Powell also grabbed an offer from Gannon. Powell is an all-state wide receiver and defensive back.
• Franklin Regional senior Allison Brickner will continue her cheerleading career at West Virginia.
• Thomas Meszar of Hempfield will run cross country at Cal (Pa.).
• Ligonier Valley senior Sydney Hoyman will continue her track & field career at Allegheny. Hoyman is a hurdler and sprinter.