Conemaugh Township trio announces college athletic futures

DAVIDSVILLE — A trio of skilled and talented Conemaugh Township student-athletes made their college proclamations on Monday.

Chloe Bidelman signed a National Letter of Intent to play volleyball for Morgan Mammosser at Division II Pitt-Johnstown.

Jackson Byer will head to Juniata College to compete in Division III basketball for coach Greg Curley in the Landmark Conference.

Meanwhile, Herman Zilch IV will swim at Division I Canisius College for Scott Vanderzell in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.

Bidelman's defensive prowess to shine at UPJ

It is not often a defensive player wins Somerset All-County Volleyball MVP. The hitters collect the top prize more often than not. However, Bidelman's defense led her to the top county award and propelled the Indians to another playoff berth this season. Now, she's eager to showcase her skills at UPJ.

"I love the coaches," Bidelman said of her decision. "They are really good and helpful. I relate a lot to them. I love the campus; it's close to home. I visited a few times, and I really enjoy the environment. I've met a lot of the girls, and I enjoy working with the team already."

Former Berlin Brothersvalley standout Shelby Coughenour is Mammosser's assistant. She will be in her second season as an assistant in the fall when Bidelman gets on campus.

Bidelman has been a defensive specialist throughout her career. She plans to work hard and potentially earn an opportunity to become the libero. She plays the game with energy and works throughout the season and offseason to better herself. She said volleyball is her biggest passion.

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In three seasons at Conemaugh Township, Bidelman racked up 1,097 digs and averaged 4.3 digs per set.

She boasts a 3.9 GPA and plans to major in psychology with plans to earn a master's degree in speech pathology. She is the vice president of National Honor Society, a member of Student Council, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Serving Our Neighbors Club, Rotary Interact Club, Mindfulness Club and the Little Contownian editor for the school newspaper.

Bidelman, the daughter of Beth Mitchell, thanks her parents, sister Hope, Conemaugh Township head coach Laura Swank and assistant Tracy Durica along with Ridgetop Storm Premier 18 coach Scott Shirley, as well as her teammates, for helping her reach this point.

While she looked at other schools, Bidelman felt UPJ was the right fit for her.

"I kept comparing them to UPJ," Bidelman said of the other schools. "For a long time, going to summer camps and going and watching the games because it’s so close to Conemaugh Township, I knew I wanted to play there and be a part of that culture and that team.”

Byer bringing full compliment of assets to Juniata

Byer collected all-state football honors as well as a second-team all-state basketball selection this season. He helped the Indians to a 21-4 mark, a WestPAC runner-up finish and their second straight District 5 Class 2A title in basketball. He was also a member of the WestPAC champion golf team.

Though he participates in five sports at Conemaugh Township, his biggest love has always been basketball. Byer will join Richland's Trent Rozich and Portage's Kaden Claar, his Laurel Highlands Storm AAU teammates, at Juniata.

"I think I tie into their program very well," Byer said. "They definitely look for the hardest worker from the games I went to. They're definitely a scrappy team that loves to get points through defensive stops and transition. That's definitely my game, transition."

Byer, a 5-foot-11 guard, went over 1,000 career points as a senior and finished with 1,226 points to go along with 461 rebounds and 346 assists.

He plans on majoring in business with future goals to earn an MBA then obtain a job in marketing for a professional sports team. Byer is the president of the Computer Club, vice president of Rotary Interact Club, a member of Grill Team, National Honor Society and Serving Our Neighbors Club.

Adding another honor Byer's memorable senior year continues with all-state basketball selection

He thanks his parents, Brian and Melanie Byer, all his family that has surrounded him and supported him, Conemaugh Township head coach Chuck Lesko and assistant Fred Mainhart, other high school sports coaches and his teachers.

Byer savors his memorable high school career, but he is ready to take the next step in his journey.

"The different environment," Byer said of what he is looking forward to. "It is definitely different from small-town high school standpoint, but it is also the same because it is a small school. It's not super far from home, which is important to me because I'm definitely a family-oriented person. I think I tie in well with everything Coach Curley has to offer."

Zilch ready to finally have teammates

Conemaugh Township does not have a swimming program. Zilch swims as an independent with Westmont Hilltop. Now, Zilch will have a full compliment of teammates helping him along the way.

"I'm definitely excited to be part of a team," he said. "I'm just looking forward to being able to swim in college and continue swimming. It's one thing I've always wanted to do. Being part of a team is going to be great; relays and all of that fun stuff that I missed out in high school."

Zilch is a four-time District 6 Class 2A champ in the 100 backstroke and three-time title holder in the 100 butterfly. He qualified for states all four years in both events, this year advancing on time in the fly.

“My main stroke was always the fly, but my backstroke, which is what I think I’m going to Canisius for, really has started picking up,” Zilch said. “It’s (backstroke) really gotten stronger over the years.”

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He also competed with the Greater Johnstown YMCA swim team. Zilch was a member gold-medal 200 medley relay at the Pennsylvania YMCA West District Championship as well as a member of the 400 free relay team that finished second at the state meet. They advanced to the 2022 YMCA Short Course National Championships. Only 1,000 swimmers made the YMCA national meet.

"It's been a lot more practicing and also harder practices," he said of Greater Johnstown YMCA. "There, I actually had a team so the teammates really help and the environment helps.”

Zilch boasts a 3.7 GPA. He is a member of the Computer Club and Ski Club at Conemaugh Township.

He is the son of Herman and Melinda Zilch.

While swimming was a major factor in Zilch choosing his new home for the next four years, his decision went beyond the pool.

“They’re just a really nice school with a really good swim program,” Zilch said of Canisius. “I also wanted to study accounting, and they’re No. 7 in the nation for accounting actually, which is another good, main reason that I wanted to go there.”

Adam Ripple is the Daily American sports editor. He can be reached at 814-444-5926. Follow him on Twitter @ARipple_DAsport. Follow Daily American Sports on Facebook.

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: CT's Bidelman, Byer, Zilch set sights on college sports careers