Twenty-one Buckhorns honored with Clock Awards for 2021-22 academic year
HAWLEY — It was a memorable year for Wallenpaupack Area's athletics program.
By and large, most Buckhorns squads enjoyed successful seasons. Whether as a team, or in individual competitions, Paupack student athletes from each of the school’s sports teams found their way, one way or another, into post-season play.
In some cases, underclassmen led the charge, but largely the Purple & White were pushed along by a hefty group of seniors.
All-Around Success
Tradition holds at Paupack that departing senior athletes who win six or more varsity letters during their career are awarded a clock.
Not only does it represent the time and effort they have dedicated to becoming skilled in their sports, but it also signifies their commitment to athletics in different seasons, and generally over a course spanning several years.
More often than not, the number of graduating athletes that reach that milestone are but few.
In 2019 following a similarly successful year by several Buckhorn teams, the annual honorees swelled to 19. The Class of 2022 eclipsed that.
This spring, 21 seniors were recognized for their achievements and the leadership they have given to Paupack athletics, often since their freshman year.
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Athletes earning six letters included...
•Shadrak Agyei (3 football and 3 track and field); Alec Crouthamel (4 cross-country and 2 track); Alexis Jantzi (3 soccer and 3 track); Rory Jones (4 cross-country, 1 swimming, and 1 track)
•Natalie Meredick (2 soccer and 4 softball); Caitlyn Posdon (2 cross-country, 1 basketball, and 3 track); Samantha Sassi (1 field hockey, 4 softball, and 1 track); and Justin Stella (2 football and 4 baseball.)
Seven letters went to...
•Lillian Elgayar (3 tennis, 3 swimming, and 1 unified track); Mabret Levant (3 football and 4 baseball); and Anthony Marie (1 golf, 2 swimming, and 4 tennis.)
Eight letters...
•Zoe Badner (4 cross-country, 3 swimming, and 1 track); Anastasia Ioppolo (4 soccer and 4 track); Hannah Karp (4 field hockey, 1 swimming, and 3 track);
•Jack Smith (4 basketball and 4 baseball); and Nicholas Warrington (3 cross-country, 4 wrestling, and 1 track.)
To the Summit...
•Henry (TJ) Schmalzle (3 football, 2 basketball, and 4 baseball) while Gabriella Passenti took home 10 (3 soccer, 3 swimming, and 4 softball.)
Twelve letters...
•Megan Desmet (4 soccer, 4 basketball, and 4 track) and Devon Kiesendahl (4 soccer, 4 basketball, and 4 track.)
Tough Act to Follow
“This is an exceptional class of seniors,” said Wallenpaupack Area Athletic Director Ann Marie Simons.
“In addition to their athletic accomplishments they are all excellent students and very involved with extracurricular activities. We wish them, and all of our graduates well.”
Sixteen of these Buckhorns lettered in one sport for all four years of their career. Four of those copped four letters in two sports.
Sassi doubled-down this past spring and earned two letters in the same season.
Then there’s Desmet and Kiesendahl, both of whom have been staples in three sports since they were in ninth grade.
Filling the voids left by these athletes will be no small chore. Some Paupack squads will go through a bit of rebuilding this coming season, but other teams may surge. Fall could see the Purple & White go far in several sports.
While the golf team was young this past year, they gained experience and expect to return to playoff contention. Girls tennis has some younger talent brewing.
Field Hockey finished extremely well and is returning a large crop of veteran players.
Similarly, boys and girls soccer, cross-country, and football plan to bring back significant amounts of their rosters that should allow them to remain competitive, if not provide for some surprises to both their opponents as well as the Buckhorn fans.
This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Lackawanna League Wallenpaupack Area Buckhorns Senior Sports Awards
