BVA girls advance to track championship
May 4, 2021

BVA girls advance to track championship

By Mon Valley Independent

By JOSE NEGRON

jnegron@yourmvi.com

For the first time in program history, the Belle Vernon Area girls track and field team will compete for a WPIAL Class 3A championship next week. 

The Leopards earned the opportunity by collecting victories over Beaver (87-63), Baldwin (85-65) and Armstrong (79.5-70.5) during a semifinal meet Tuesday at Baldwin High School. 

“The girls came up big today,” BVA head coach Chris Stasicha said. “They left everything on the track and everything in their jumps.”

Grace Henderson, an Akron recruit, posted three individual wins for the Leopards. She was victorious in the 800-meter run, the 1600-meter run and 3200-meter run. 

“Grace was amazing on the track,” Stasicha said. “

Gianna Anderson had herself an impressive showing as she won in the long jump and reset her school record in the triple jump. 

In a previous triple jump attempt, Franny Scaramucci, who finished second in both the long jump and triple jump, broke the school record before Anderson retook the mark on her next jump. 

Other significant contributors included Viva Kreis, who ran as the anchor on the girls 4×800-meter relay team. She was also second-best in the mile and two-mile. 

“I can’t say enough about the depth of this team,” Stasicha said. “Going into the meet, us coaches sat down and scored it out as to how it could go. It came out pretty close to how it would go. We had a really strong performance and the girls were victorious.”

To read the rest of the story, please see a copy of Wednesday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at http://monvalleyindependent.com.

5 Ringgold students create district’s first Community Day
Latest News, Main
By TAYLOR BROWN, Senior Reporter 
April 1, 2026
The event will take place April 18 at Chess Park. Five Ringgold High School students spent every lunch period trading cafeteria chatter for sponsor lists, registration forms and plans for the district...
Key primary races will shape Pa. House & Senate
Allegheny County Elections, Elections, Fayette County Elections, ...
April 1, 2026
Insiders, candidates and more identify the May primaries likeliest to shape the legislature. By STEPHEN CARUSO Spotlight PA HARRISBURG — This spring, Pennsylvanians will vote in primary elections that...
Green group voices doubts about Nippon
Latest News, Main
April 1, 2026
The company does poorly on a “corporate scorecard.” By JACK TROY TribLive Nippon Steel lags behind at going green, according to a new report from environmental group SteelWatch, highlighting concerns ...
Death penalty out for one suspect in 2021 shooting
Latest News, Main
April 1, 2026
The Washington County DA won’t seek it in the trial of Devell Christian, who’s accused of killing Nicholas Tarpley in Donora. By the MVI The Washington County district attorney’s office is no longer s...
Local students involved in robotics competition
Around The Valley, Latest News, Main
By SARAH PELLIS spellis@yourmvi.com 
April 1, 2026
The experience will help them prepare for a high-tech future. Six teams representing Mon Valley communities competed in a regional robotics competition last month. For Inspiration and Recognition of S...
Getting ready for opening day of trout season in McKeesport
Around The Valley, Features, Local/Youth
April 1, 2026
On Monday, members of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, state Sen. Nick Pisciottano, state Rep. Dan Goughnour, McKeesport Mayor Tom Maglicco, staff members and other volunteers worked togethe...