Norwin notebook: Knights sweep county cross country titles

Saturday, October 19, 2024 | 11:01 AM

Norwin doesn’t go to cross country meets to see the changing leaves and experience ambience.

No, the Knights go to win.

Norwin swept another meet this season by winning titles at the Westmoreland County Coaches Association Championship on the 5K course at Westmoreland County Community College.

The girls, who are ranked No. 2 in the WPIAL, won their third straight title, while the boys won for the second year in a row.

Annie Czajkowski came in second in the girls race with a time of 19 minutes, 9.10 seconds. Her teammate, Addison Farrah was fifth, while Emily Dansek came in 10th.

In the boys race, Norwin’s Enzo Jiancristoforo finished second (16:16.9), Luke Simpson was third, and Thomas Gaydos fifth.

Tavares injured

Norwin quarterback Tristyn Tavares is dealing with a sprained knee, and coach Mike Brown said the junior was week-to-week with two games remaining.

Tavares, who did not play in Week 7 for the Knights (2-6, 0-4), said he has sprained ligaments.

“Thankfully, they didn’t require surgery,” he said. “I am going through rehab and trying to get back this season. I tried to give it a go during the Hempfield game, but it wouldn’t let me play anywhere even close to the way I play the game.”

Boys soccer

After losing 2-1 to Plum in the Section 1-4A finale and tying Class 3A Latrobe 1-1, Norwin bounced back with a 2-1 overtime victory over Upper St. Clair in the Knights’ final match of the regular season Oct. 14. Daniel Maddock scored both goals.

The Knights moved to 11-5-1 overall and 8-2 in section.

Girls soccer

The Norwin girls finished second in Section 1-4A and were set to enter the WPIAL playoffs with a record of 10-7-1 overall (8-2 section).

Norwin returns to the postseason after missing it the only two times in program history. The Knights won four of their final five games to close the regular season, with shutouts against Armstrong (11-0), Latrobe (3-0) and Woodland Hills (5-0) and a 4-1 win over longtime rival Penn-Trafford.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at [email protected].

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