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The 2022-2023 school year is coming to an end, with theBluePrint presenting the top 10 sports stories of the year. This year showcased multiple successful Blue Devil athletes and teams. With this being the school’s final year competing in the Inter-County Conference, Bellwood-Antis was able to bring in some final ICC hardware. The senior class has produced multiple collegiate athletes and the underclassmen have done impressive things that will get them ready for the next season. Here is a recap of our best sports stories of the year.

10. Golf Team Wins ICC Championship

The B-A golf team won its 3rd straight ICC title in the 2022 season. Under new head coach Mrs. Kathy Taylor, the team was able to pick up right where it left off. The golf team had an impressive season, with a 13-3 record, including big wins over Curwensville and Tyrone. Some top scorers of the match and season were Ethan Johnston, Josh Dorminy, and Ryan Marinak, who will all be returning for the 2023 season.

9. Torsell leads B-A into a new era

Mr. Nick Torsell took over as the new head varsity wrestling coach this year. Torsell has big hopes to rebuild the wrestling program over the next few years. Torsell found success this year with senior Ethan Norris, who placed 4th at the District 6 championships and advanced to the regional tournament. One of Torsell’s main goals for next year is to have as many returning athletes as possible and to try to increase the number of new wrestlers.

8. McCaulsky Hits Milestone

Chelsea McCaulsky became the 15th basketball player in Lady Devils history to score 1,000 career points. Chelsea was able to pick up 20 points in a dominating win over Moshannon Valley, where her team and family celebrated this milestone. Chelsea had a very successful senior season, leading the girls to a one seed in the District playoffs and to another ICC championship appearance. Chelsea is playing at Penn State Altoona next year. 

7. Blue Devils take down Mount Union

On Homecoming night, B-A was able to claim a 25-22 victory over the Trojans. After a game that came down to the very last play, B-A was able to make one final stop. The football team was able to make the District playoffs and finish their season with a 6-5 record. Lexi Lovrich was named Homecoming queen.

6. Boys earn first win under new head coach

After starting out the season 0-3, the B-A boys basketball team was able to pick up a win over Moshannon Valley. This gave new boys basketball head coach Tyler Mertiff his first win. The basketball team struggled early on, but found a groove later in the season, finishing with a record of 9-13. They were able to go 6-2 in their last 8 games. The team lost 5 seniors but has 3 returning starters and multiple returning letter winners.

5. Lovrich’s dominant running year 

Lexi Lovrich has had one of the most impressive running seasons in Bellwood-Antis history. In the fall, Lexi joined the cross country team for the first time in her career. She made it to states and placed top 20 in the meet at Hershey to become B-A’s first state medal-winner since 2014. Lexi also broke the girls 3200m run in the spring. She has put up numerous first place finishes and medal-winning finishes at invitationals. Lexi has committed to IUP for cross country and track. 

4. Lady Devils cop ICC Title

The girls track and field team was able to win the ICC title in the regular season and at the ICC invitational. Under new head coach Jen Soisson, the girls were undefeated in the ICC, and suffered only one loss on the season. The Lady Devils won the ICC title with it being their last chance to claim it. The girls have athletes competing in the District 6 championships this week with hopes of advancing to the state championship meet. 

3. Referee shortage sweeps the state

There has been a large decrease in the number of referees and officials in the state of Pennsylvania, and there may be some drastic changes to high school sports in the near future. This story, written by Jacob Hawn, has won multiple awards, including an overall winner in the category of sports stories with the Pa. Press Club. It also won first place at the Keystone Media Awards and was recognized as Best of SNO. 

2. Swaney steps down as head girls basketball coach

Legendary girls basketball coach Jim Swaney recently announced his retirement. Swaney had been at Bellwood-Antis for 13 years and is arguably one of the most successful coaches in B-A history. Swaney stated that the hardest part was leaving behind the athletes that he had coached, but he said he knows the program will be in good hands. Swaney has led the team to multiple District championships and two PIAA state championships. The Bellwood-Antis School District was shocked when the news was released after a team meeting. a 31-year coach, Swaney felt that this was the right time, after not feeling the same excitement for the upcoming season.

1. Julie Roseborough (Miss R) resigns, B-A names new Cross Country Coach

Legendary cross country and girls track and field coach Miss R decided that it was time to retire after 56 years coaching at B-A. The news came as a shock to the entire B-A community. Coach R has been an amazing role model for young athletes. The track at B-A is named in her honor. As much as she loved coaching, she decided that it was time for someone else to take the coaching position. Mr. Connor Hunter took over as the new cross country coach.  Coach R had been the only coach to ever be the girls track and field coach.