24th Annual Banquet

 

INDUCTEES

THOMAS A. BEIERSCMITT

The year was 1963 and Sunbury had only to defeat Mount Carmel to claim the Southern Division Crown and go on to the Eastern Conference Championship. Due to a driving rainstorm, the game had been postponed from Friday night. After a slow start, the Braves had just scored a touchdown to bring the score to 14-7 with 20 seconds left in the half. Momentum had definitely moved over to the Sunbury side of the field. But, in what proved to be a Tornado moment to be remembered, Tom Beierschmitt took the ensuing kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown and all but sealed the 26-14 victory for the Big Red. It was only one of many big plays that TB would make during his football career at MCA.

Tom would go 17-1 as a starting quarterback and generated 1853 yards in offense in his career. That 63 team went on to a fine 10-1 record, losing only to Pottsville by a 14-6 score. For his efforts, Tom was given honorable mention all state and was named to the All Anthracite football team and won the Mike Terry Award following the Shamokin game.

Tom also lettered in baseball as a freshman, and basketball as a sophomore, as well as track for 3 years. Tom represented Mount Carmel at the state track meet following his junior and senior season as half miler and as a member of the mile relay team at the prestigious Penn Relays. Tom also acted as a tournament caddie for local golfers Millie Balon - a previous inductee in the Romance Chapter -Leona Grossman and Norm Ackley,

While in high school Tom was recruited by the Ivy League and many Division I schools but he chose to follow in the footsteps of older brother Jim and enrolled at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Tom played freshman football and JV football as a defensive back and place-kicker. He then continued as a member of the 150 lb lightweight football team for 2 years as an offensive end and place-kicker. That 1966 team went on to claim the Lightweight National Championship against teams from the other service academies and Ivy league representatives. While at Army, Tom had the privilege of "rubbing shoulder" with the likes of Arthur Ashe, Paul Dietzel, Tom Cahill, Bob Knight, Bill Parcells, Frank Gantz, Norv Cross, Stan Smith, Danny Ford, Pete Dawkins and Gen. Norm Schwarzkop.

Following graduation from West Point in 1968, Tom served as the head coach of the U.S. Army European Championship Aschaffenburg Cardinals in 1969. He returned as the head coach of the St. Lawrence University Small Bore Rifle Team, and then proceeded to the conflict in Vietnam and was awarded the Bronz Star for heroism 3 times and the Army Commendation Medal as a member of the famous B-Company 3rd Battalion 22nd Infantry.

Tom now works for the Ford Motor Company as a governmental liaison on environmental issues. He and his wife Mary reside in Farmington Hills, Michigan and are the parents of two sons; Thomas, now a junior at West Point, and Stephen, a freshman at Okland Community College.

 

JOHN DAVIS

When someone mentions the Triple Crown, your mind immediately goes to horse racing or baseball. For John Davis, it meant winning football, basketball, and baseball championships during the same school year. That is exactly what John accomplished during his senior year at Mount Carmel Catholic High School in 1964.

The trifecta began when John, as quarterback of the Rams, led his team to the Anthracite Catholic Conference Championship for the second consecutive year in 1963 with a 7-1-1 record. For his play at quarterback, #14 was named the league's MVP as a back. During his career, Ram football teams won 22 games while losing 4 and tying 2 under coaches Frank Ulicny in 61 and 62 and Bob Oravitz in 63. Three of those losses were to a powerful Lebanon Catholic team.

During the winter, Davis turned his attention to the hardwood, where he starred as an outstanding guard for some of the greatest basketball teams in Catholic High history. John averaged close to 16 points a game over his career and led the Rams to Catholic League Championships in 1962-63 and 1963-64. Those Ram teams were also coached by Ulicny in 62 and 63 and Oravitz in 64.

In the spring, Davis found his way to the baseball diamond, where he played for four years again under Ulicny and Oravitz. They won Anthracite League Championships in 1962 and 1964 - allowing Davis his triple crown in 64. John served as a co captain of all three sports during his senior year

Following graduation, Davis was awarded a full scholarship to the University of Buffalo, graduating in 1968 with a BA in History.

John then taught from 1968 to 1978 in the York Catholic School District, where he also served as an assistant football coach from 68-78. John also was a basketball assistant from 1970 thru 74 and then assumed the Athletic Director duties from 1974 thru 1978.

in 1978, John moved to State College, Pa and is employed by Pennsylvania Financial Group. PFG is a financial services company where John is involved with operations and compliance. John and his wife Sandy have three children; John Jr, Andrew, and Stephanie.

 

RICH FERRI

Rich Ferri, a 1973 graduate of Mount Carmel Area High School, was on of the quickest, toughes, and most outstanding defensive middles guards ever seen in the history of Tornado football. The 6 foot, 180 lb. guard played on the 1970,71, and 72 football teams at MCA and in 1972 was rated as one of the best players in the Eastern Conference. He was known time and time again for stopping opposing team from running the middle against the Big Red. Opposing quarterbacks dreaded the thought of calling signals with Ferri staring them in the eye from his nose guard position. One can only imagine the number of quarterback sacks he would have recorded if they were kept during his era. Ferri was often double-teamed, allowing other linemen to go free. Former Mount Carmel Area football coach Joe Diminick was quoted as saying, "Rich is so aggressive, he's like a wild man in there. I've had officials talk to me about his rough play. He's not being rough, he's just all over people before they have a chance to defend themselves." Coach Diminick also said that Ferri was probably the quickest lineman off the ball that he had seen in his 50 year coaching career.

During Ferri's career, Tornado teams were 29 and 6 and won one Southern Division Crown in 1970 and an Eastern Conference Championship in 1972 That team in 72 allowed just 78 points in 12 games and forced opponents into 49 turnovers - 25 int's and 24 fumbles. Following the 72 season, Ferri was named second team all state by the Associated Press and was given honorable mention all state by United Press International. He was named first team All-Anthracite by the Reading Eagle, All Lower Anthracite first team by the Harrisburg Patriot News, Lineman of the Year on the Eagle's All Central Regional Team, Outstanding lineman in the Susquehanna Valley Conference, and first lineman of the week award at Mount Carmel Area. He also won the Chef's Award as the outstanding lineman at MCA in 1972.

"Unquestionably," quoted Coach Diminick, "the great play which characterized Rich Ferri will be quite difficult to replace. If we can find someone who can just come close to matching his performance, the Tornado forward wall will be in great shape.

For his performance, Ferri was awarded a four year scholarship to Susquehanna University to continue his football playing career. He later went on to receive a Bachelor of Science degree from Bloomsburg University in 1981 and is currently a contractor with Professional Home Improvement (REA) in Kulpmont. He resides in Denmar Gardens with his wife Pamela and their two daughters, Jasmine and Nadia.

 

DR. JEFFREY M. GRECO

Prior to the start of the 1967 season, discussion at the local taverns and at the barber shop centered around who the new quarterback would be? After all, the Tornadoes had lost 2 all state, Big 33 quarterbacks in Joe Buchinski and Greg Doviak and only had a 5'7"-135lb kid back with any experience. That kid turned out to be Jeff Greco, and he took the Tornadoes where the all-staters couldn't - a Southern Division Championship in 1968. As the starting QB, Greco won 21 games while losing only 2. During his career, Jeff completed 106 passes (8th) for 2,145 yards (6th) and 25 TD's (8th). At the time, only Buchinski had better numbers.

Jeff also brought leadership, as team captain ,to the quarterback position and, in fact, called many of his own plays. He would also lead the sweep and loved to block. He was so aggressive, that many long-time Tornado fans still consider him to be the toughest player - pound for pound - that ever wore the red and white. Jeff had managed to set the bar one step higher and had set the stage for the 1969 championship run the next year.

During the spring, Jeff ran track for coach Jerry Breslin. He ran the high and low hurdles and the mile relay and was part of the team in 1968 that won their class at the Penn Relays. He was also a part of the Mount Carmel Area team that placed 4th in the state meet at State College.

In the summer of 1961, Greco brought national recognition to tiny, land-locked Mount Carmel by winning the American Power Boat Association - Junior Division Outboard National Championship. Jeff was the National High Point Title-holder in the U.S. with 3,600 points after winning 15 consecutive races and then completed a clean sweep by winning the nationals at Gunterville, Alabama. That year he had broken what is believed to be a perfect score - like 300 is to bowling, 400 was to racing. Jeff had posted a score of 420. He and his boat, "Jeff's J', were welcomed back to Mount Carmel with a parade, complete with bands and local dignitaries.

Following high school, Greco continued playing football and started for two years at Susquehanna at strong safety prior to his graduation in 1972. After his graduation from medical school, Jeff took for his father as team physician for the Red Tornadoes in 1983. He has been their physical and spiritual leader ever since and joins his father, Joseph, and brother, Joey, as hall of fame inductees.

Jeff maintains a family medical practice in Mount Carmel and he and his wife Martie are the parents of 5 children; Jeffrey, Erin, Gabrielle, Raquel, and Bridget.

 

JOHN HALCOVICH

"Halco" graduated from Mount Carmel Area High School in 1971, where he was a three- year letter winner in both track and football. In track, he was a district runner-up in both the high and low hurdles to local and state hall of fame inductee Henry Hynoski. But it was in football where he really made his mark. Named after Ted Hendricks - Miami Dolphin All Pro defensive end - The Stork" was a fixture at defensive end from 1968 thru 1970 for the Big Red. That Golden Era produced teams that won three consecutive Southern Division titles along with The Eastern Conference Crown in 1969. They compiled a 34-2 record and never lost a regular season game. To this day, Halco is the "bell weather" against which every other defensive end at Mount Carmel is measured. Following the 69 and 70 seasons, John was named to every All Anthracite all star team and was given honorable mention all state by the Associated Press in 1970.As a 175 lb defensive end, Halcovich remarkably became one of the most recruited players from those championship teams. After initially signing a letter of intent with Nebraska - the reigning National Champions who would go on to win back to back titles - Halco ultimately decided to stay closer to home and accepted a full scholarship with Boston College, the alma mater of his coach Joe Jazz Diminick.

Halcovich would prove all the recruiters to be right. After a sterling season on BC's freshman squad, John became a starter in his sophomore year and was named the most valuable defensive player against then No 4 ranked Air Force Academy. Even though at 180 lbs, he was the lightest defensive end in Division One football, Halco started and lettered all three seasons at BC. During that period in which the Eagles went 23-10, John had the pleasure of playing against three Heisman Trophy winners; John Cappaletti of Penn State, Tony Dorsett of Pitt, and Earl Campbell of Texas. John also battled former high school teammates Gary Howanec - Brown, Henry Hynoski - Temple, and Ken Diminick - Villanova.

Today, with John's induction into the Romance Chapter, his class of 71 can boast of having 8 of its members as inductees and his 70 team now counts 12 of its players as members of the hall .

John graduated from BC's school of management in 1975 with a BS in marketing and has spent 26 years working in the environmental industry. He is currently a National Account Manager for Zep Manufacturing and resides in Bryn Mawr, Pa. With his wife, the former Ali McGinley, and two children, Christina Jean and John Thomas ( who already has that defensive end look made famous by his dad).

 

TOM KATONA

Tom Katona, today, adds his name to those of 8 classmates from 1971 and to those of 12 teammates from the 1970 championship team to the list of honorees in the Ed Romance Lower Anthracite Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. He also joins brother Tim and mother Betty as members of the hall.

Tom's athletic career began as a Kulpmont Cougar under coach Bambi Miriello as a running back and defensive back. He also competed in many District and Regional AAU track meets around Pennsylvania. In high school, Tom was also a part of the "Golden Era' of football where his teams won three consecutive Southern Division Championships and one Eastern Conference Crown in 1969. Those teams won an amazing 34 games while losing only 2 and were a huge part of the 35 game regular season winning streak spanning Shamokin in 1967 thru Panther Valley in 1971. Tom was an outstanding running back on those teams and averaged over 7 yards per carry as a senior, in addition to returning kicks.

In the spring, Tom ran track for four years under coach Gerry Breslin. He ran the 100,220, 4 x 100 yards relay, 4 x 220 yd relay and mile relay. He, along, with Jeff Greco, Gary Diminick, Mike Menapace, Bob Veach, and John Nicoletti, would go on to establish a number of relay records that would stand for many years at MCA. He was part of an era that saw MCA win 4 consecutive District IV titles and place 4th in the state meet in 1968. His track teams went 42 -0 in dual meets during his 4-years there and was part of the 143 meet winning streak held by MCA track teams from 1943-1976.

After offers from Juniate College, Otterbein, Ashland, and West Chester, Tom chose to run at East Stroudsburg University. While there, he ran the 100,220 and 4 x 100 relay. In 1973 ESU placed second at the PA State School Meet, while the 4 x 100 relay team also took home the silver against teams from Temple, Penn State, Pitt, West Chester, etc.

Since his graduation in 1975, Tom has founded and owned 3 corporations - KBM Office Products and Supply, Zonics Inc. and Convergent Solutions Inc. a computer and software consulting firm in King of Prussia Pa. He has had 3 companies in the Top 100 Fastest Growing companies in the Philadelphia Area and has been selected in the Who's Who of American Business Executives. Tom continues his sports affiliation as the President of Mainline Chapter Red Cross Golf Tournament at Stonewall

Tom and his wife, Maureen, reside in Wayne, Pa and are parents of three children, Kyle, Todd, and Maura.

 

ED KACZMAREK

They called him Gene Mauch! They called him Sparky Anderson! These coaches were known for their fiery approach to the game of baseball. They also were enthusiastic, energetic, and ultimate strategists and would fight for their players until the last out. The same can be said for this year's inductee, Ed Kaczmarek.

"Kaz" took over the reigns of a Mount Carmel Area baseball program that had won a total of 19 games in the previous six years. His first club in 1975 went 8 and 8 and was followed by teams that went on to win 3 consecutive Northern Division Titles in the Schuylkill League and the overall Schuylkill League Title in the 1978 season. They claimed the title in a best of three series with preseason favorite St Clair. The 78 team boasted such stars as Bob Zavarick, Johnny Andrade, Bobby Murray, Mark Koveleski, Kevin Kwiatkowski, Mark Filohoski, Joe Zavarick, Mark Zosh, and Bob McAndrew. They finished with a 16-4 mark after a heartbreaking loss to Athens in the Dist IV quarterfinal. His 1977 squad finished as runners up to Bethlehem Catholic in Dist 11 and Schuylkill League champion Blue Mountain.

Ed coached the Tornado nine for 6 years and posted an 83-55 record, good for the third most wins in school history. His winning percentage of 60.15 is the highest among coaches who stayed on the job for more than 3 years. Kaz also took spring training at the high school level to an even greater height when he raised the money to take his teams to Florida in 1980 and 1981 for games with teams from other areas of the country. His teams posted an 8-2 record while also gaining valuable lifetime experiences in Florida.

Kaczmarek began his sports career as an outstanding two- sport athlete at Mount Carmel Catholic High School, He graduated as the Salutatorian in 1960 and was named the school's outstanding student athlete. He was captain of both the basketball and baseball teams and was the leader of the Rams baseball team as a catcher and posted a.355 batting average. He then played semi pro baseball with the Shamokin Optimists in 1962-63 as the starting catcher.

Following graduation from Bloomsburg University in 1964, Kaz began his coaching career as the first ever coach of wrestling at Lourdes Regional. His team went on to an 11-0 record during the 64-65 campaign. He then began his teaching and coaching career at Mount Carmel High School as an assistant to Theodore 'Tufky" Andrulewicz from 1865 to 1968. He was also the statistician for coach Jazz Diminick from 1965 thru 1975. Ed had the privilege of coaching the Schuylkill League All-stars in 1977 and 1978, and coached the M.A.C.K. Legion baseball team for two years and was selected to coach in the East-West All Star Game in 1978.

Ed and his wife Louise live in Mount Carmel and are the parents of Edward ,III and Maria and proud grandparents of Cameron Michalski.

 

RON MILLER

Ron Miller's football playing career took off half way through the 1986 season when, because of injuries, he got an opportunity to step into the starting line up and never left it again. That Tornado eleven went 9 and 2 during the regular season and won a spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs as a wild card. They got to play an undefeated Valley View team in the semi finals and came away with a surprising 21-14 victory. Of course, with the win came another chance at Gary Brown's Millionaires in the Conference final. Brown's 4 touchdown performance ended that plan, but didn't take away from the fine effort of the 86 team.

Ron would go on to start 23 more games over the next two seasons at MCA and finished his career with a loss in the Dist 11 Championship game to eventual State AA Champion Bethlehem Catholic.

That 88 team would also lose to eventual AAA champion Berwick and finished at 8-3-1. After the season, Ron was recognized as a first team all anthracite guard by the Reading Eagle and was given honorable mention all state by the Associated Press.

Miller then went on to Susquehanna University where he was a four- year letterman and was named captain during his senior year. He was a first-team MAC All-Star at offensive guard as both a junior and senior at Susquehanna and earned "special mention" All-America honors according to Don Hansen's Football Gazette as a senior. During his final two years, he helped the Crusaders record two of their most successful seasons - going 11-2 and making the NCAA semifinals in 1991, and 9-1 while just missing the playoffs in 1992. He earned his bachelor of arts degree in political science from Susquehanna University in 1993.

After graduation, Miller served as an assistant coach for one year at both Wagner (N.Y.) College and Emporia State (Kan.) University. He coached the defensive line at Wagner and wide receivers at Emporia St. He went to Wilkes University in 1995 and coached the quarterbacks and receivers under coaches Joe DeMelfi and Frank Sheptock for three years. He the returned to his alma mater as an assistant under head coach Steve Briggs.

Miller, who also serves as Susquehanna's head men's lacrosse coach, resides in Selinsgrove with his wife, Jennifer.

 

MIKE REVENIS

Mike Revenis got a late start on his athletic career at Mount Carmel Area, but boy was it worth the wait! Revenis didn't even go out for football until his junior season and became an instant contributor on special teams and off the bench. Mike's combination of size, strength and speed made him a natural. As a senior, Mike became a two way starter for coach Jazz Diminick at fullback and defensive end. That 76 team would go on to a fine 10-1 record, losing only to Pottsville by a score of 34-29; a game which many people would rank as one of the best football games ever played at the Silver Bowl. Mike threw a fullback option pass (38 pitch/pass) to Greg Kent for a 41 yard score that would have been the winning TD in that game - only to have it nullified by a penalty. Against Shikellamy, Mike put the Tornadoes on his back, rushing 21 times for 110 yards and 2 touchdown in a 12-7 victory. Mike wound up being the second leading rusher on that team and was third in tackles from his defensive end position. He also scored TD's via punt and kick off returns. For his efforts, Mike was named third team all state by the Associated Press and was named first team All Anthracite by the Reading Eagle. He also won Len Eshmont and Ed Romance Awards following the season.

Mike then began throwing the javelin for coach Jim Sheehan as a member of the MCA track team. Mike went on to win District gold in 1977 and came home with the silver medal at the state track meet with a throw of 207'8". During his collegiate years at East Stroudsburg University, Revenis won the NCAA Division II Track and Field Championship in the javelin in 1982 with a throw of 244'9".Revenis was a 5th place finisher in 1981, earning him All America honors following both seasons. Revenis was also a two-time PSAC champion in the javelin and a two-time conference runner-up.

Revenis was the first winner of the East Stroudsburg Alumni Association Outstanding Senior Scholar-Athlete Award in 1982. He was also the first ESU student to earn an NCAA post-graduate scholarship. He was inducted into the East Stroudsburg Hall of Fame in 1999.

Revenis is now the director Cardiac Rehabilitation Services at Hahnemann Univeristy Medical Center in Philadelphia, Pa. And has published numerous research articles in his field.

He currently resides in Delran, New Jersey with his wife, Julie, and son, Jesse.

 

RAY SAVAGE

Ray "Herky" Savage graduated from Mount Carmel High School in 1953 and considered himself to be one of Mike Terry's boys - and proud of it! Ray was a three sport letterman while at Mount Carmel, earning monograms in football, baseball, and track. Although he only participated in track when he wasn't playing baseball, "Herky" is most remembered as an outstanding runner. Ray ran for coach Gerry Breslin and was undefeated in the 440 yard dash in both his junior and senior seasons. He claimed Dist IV titles in both of those years and went on to represent Mount Carmel at the state track meet at State College. Ray also anchored High's mile relay team at the Penn Relays in 1952 and made up almost 50 yards in his heat to bring home the Bronze Medal. Ray also co captained the Tornado squad during his senior year and posted a best time of 51.8 seconds in the 440, You have to remember that they ran on dirt or cinder tracks in those days and did very little in the way of speed training.

Savage started at center and linebacker for coach Terry during his junior season - a year in which the first Coal Bucket game took place with Shamokin. 1951 was also the year that Mount Carmel Two and Centralia joined with MC to form Mount Carmel Joint High School. During the track season good old Joe :Boss" recommended to Coach Terry that Savage ought to be receiving the ball instead of centering it. The move turned out to be a good one, as Savage led his team as a co captain and leading rusher. That team went on to a 9-2 record, and with its defeat of Shamokin, brought the coal bucket back to Mount Carmel for the first time.

Ray's performance on the track and on the gridiron earned him a football scholarship to the University of Miami, where Ray was a halfback for two seasons. After college, Ray enlisted into the army and found himself playing quarterback for the 14th Armour Cavalry Regiment. His play led them to an 8-2 record and the Northern Division Crown. Following his discharge, Ray kept active in sports by umpiring PIAA high school and college baseball for more than 20 years. He also officiated PIAA basketball games for 20 years.

Ray now resides in Clarks Summit, Pa with his wife and son and two grandchildren.

 

SPECIAL HONOREE

1972 EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP FOOTBALL TEAM

The bus had just pulled into the field house at the Silver Bowl following the 1971 loss to Shamokin at Kemp Memorial Stadium. The Tornadoes had just completed a 6-5 campaign after having gone 62-6 during the six previous seasons and felt that their performance was simply unacceptable. Oddly enough, the 1972 season began that afternoon in the field house when the underclassmen, with the encouragement of the seniors, vowed to never lose another football game at Mount Carmel Area.

Led by co-captains Dirk Berezovske and Johnny Muolo, the Big Red kicked off the '72 season with a 28-0 drubbing of a good Panther Valley squad. They followed that up with 33-6 and 42-8 routs of Tamaqua and Mahanoy Area. That set up a trip to Crispin Field where the Tornadoes avenged a 1971 36-0 loss to Berwick with a solid 42 to 12 victory. They were paced in that game by a 55 yard interception return by Bill Joraskie, a 60 yards punt return by John Muolo, a 75 yard run by Ken Diminick and two TD passes from Joe Diminick to Rich Greco and Joe Antico. Mix in a 5 yard run from Lou Cole and 6 extra point kicks from Glenn Adams and the rout was on. The next week saw the Big Red demolish West Hazleton by a 48-0 score with the help of 2 interception returns for TD by Ken Diminick and Joe Fatz. The 147 yards in INT returns and 2 TD 's in a game still remain as single game records today.

Wins over Minersville and Pottsville would lead up to a game that was much closer than the score indicated at North Schuylkill, where the Tornadoes came away with a 21-3 victory. It was in that game that Carson Long kicked a 54 yards field goal for N.S. - a state record until just recently. Big Red concluded its undefeated season with wins over Shenandoah, a game that ended with 2:37 left to play following a bench-clearing brawl, Shikellamy and Shamokin. During the Shamokin game, the Tornado defense held the Indians to minus 83 yards rushing; a mark which still stands today. The Tornadoes then traveled to Valley View where they avenged their 1970 loss with a 20-12 victory over Frank Pazzaglia's Cougars. They were led in this contest by Ken Diminick's 85 yard kick off return for a TD and John Muolo's clutch 4th quarter running and 12 yard TD run.

The 72 team outscored their opponents that season 400-78 and had 14 touchdowns of 50 yards or more. The 400 points scored still ranks 7th all-time, however 3rd among teams who have played 12 games or less. They also returned 6 interceptions for TD's and 497 yards in return. Both still stand as records today. In addition, the 72 squad returned 2 kick-offs (K.Diminick and Rawa) and 1 punt (Muolo), as well as 2 fumbles (K.Diminick and Greco) for TD. The 11 returns ranks second only to the 12 put up by the 76 team. The 12 wins are part of the 25 game winning streak put together by Big Red until 1974. The 72 team also sent 16 of 18 seniors off to college and saw 47 of 51 players earn varsity letters. Offensive tackle Joe Grey represented Mount Carmel Area in the Big 33 game, while second team all-state honors went to cat quick nose guard Rich Ferri, as well as honorable mentions to Ken Diminick and Joe Grey

The 72 team will be remembered as a true TEAM with contributions coming from the defense, offense and special teams The seniors on this team had lived up to their vow and left the juniors to hold up their end in 1973. They had also left a legacy as one of the all time greatest football teams in Mount Carmel Area History.

 

FEMALE SCHOLAR ATHLETE

MAURA MENAPACE

Running, jumping, hurdling, swimming, diving, cheering, singing, acting, and dancing - a list, you might say, of activities available at our local high school? No, just a few of the things that this year's female scholar athlete, Maura Menapace, has participated in during her wonderful four year career at Mount Carmel Area High School. Ms Menapace has earned 9 varsity letters during the course of her career at MCA - 4 in track and field, 2 in swimming, 1 in cross country, and 2 in cheerleading.

Maura, as a four year member of the Lady thinclads, has participated in both the 100M Hurdles and 300 M Intermediate hurdles for Coach Angela Farronnato. She has been a part of 2 consecutive Schuylkill League Championship teams in 1999 and 2000 and a one-loss team in 2001 for a career record of 23-1.

Maura's most successful times have come as a member of the swim team where she swims the 50 free, 100 free, 200 meter free relay, 400 meter free relay, 200 meter medley relay. Recently, she has taken up diving to help the team garner extra points. She has been a previous school record holder in the 100 free and recently helped to establish a new school record in the 200 free relay with a time of 1:50.27. The time was good enough for a second place finish in the Schuylkill League meet, the highest finish ever by a Tornado relay team.

During her sophomore season, Maura helped the cross country team to a fine 9-1 record in her only venture as a road runner. She has also participated in indoor track during her sophomore and junior seasons and was a participant in powder puff football and intramural volleyball as a junior and senior.

Muara has also been a member of the cast in MCA's productions of "The Wizard of OZ","Bye,Bye Birdie","Annie" and "Once Upon a Mattress", and in ACT"s "Fiddler on the Roof". Maura studies ballet and jazz at the Bloomsburg School of Dance and played the part of the sugar plum fairy in their production of the "Nutcracker". She has also found time to act as the choreographer at Cardinal Brennan HS Spring Productions for the last two years.

Menapace can also been seen every morning on Channel 13 - WKMC, where she serves as news editor and anchor of "MCA Live", the school morning news program. She has been elected class secretary for three years and is a student council vice-president. She also serves as a member of the Prom Committee, Yearbook Staff, Science Club, SADD, and Interact Club, as well as lectoring at Divine Redeemer Church, Mount Carmel.

Somehow, Maura has found the time to rank in the top 10% of her class and score a 1250 on the SAT. She is a member of the National Honor Society, the National Athletic Honor Society and is a Developmental Studies Student. She has recently been chosen by the faculty at Mount Carmel Area as this year's Laurel Queen and will represent Mount Carmel Area at the State Laurel Queen Pageant this June in Wellsboro.

Maura is the daughter of Dr. Mike and Melissa Menapace, Mount Carmel and plans to attend a four- year university to pursue a career in communications.

 

MALE SCHOLAR ATHLETE

JUSTIN PACHUSKI

This year's male scholar athlete is Justin Pachuski, son of Valerie and Pete Pachuski, Kulpmont. He is the grandson of Helen Pachuski, Atlas, and Louise and Mickie Stello, Kulpmont. Justin certainly fits the mold of previous winners of this prestigious honor.

Justin was ranked # 1 in his class following his freshman, sophomore and junior years and remained there following the first half of his senior year. He has been placed into the 1300 Club at Mount Carmel Area with his 1370 SAT score. He has been honored by the Mount Carmel Rotary Club as its Student of the Month for January, and was recently named the Voice of Democracy Award winner. He participates as a member of the Chess Club and Latin Club and as a Developmental Studies Student. He is also a Fall Sports Reporter for WKMC - the school's morning news show.

Athletically, Justin has managed to earn 9 varsity letters in 3 different sports during his high school career. The hardest part was managing to earn two of those letters during the same fall season. This past year, Justin played soccer and ran cross country at the same. His play earned him All Area honors by the News Item and Bloomsburg Press-Enterprise for his work as a defensive player with the MCA Soccer team in only its second year of existence.

As a cross country runner, Justin was part of a 9-0 team as a freshman that went on to win a Schuylkill League Division Title. Following his sophomore season, he was named MCA's "Most Valuable Runner" and Schuylkill League All Star. This past season, Justin , as a senior captain, led his team to an 8-2 record and another Division II Schuylkill League Title. He capped off his senior season by winning the "Chef's Award' and concluded with a fine 27-8 record as a Tornado harrier.

In the spring, Justin takes to the track as a member of the Mount Carmel Area track team. During his career, Pachuski has run the 200 meter dash, 110meter high hurdles, 300 meter intermediate hurdles, 400 meter dash, 800 meter run, long jump, 100 meter relay, shuttle hurdle relay and 4 x 400 meter relay. He has won District gold medals as a member of the 4 x 400 meter relay team in 2000 with a time of 3:25.6 and 4 x 100 meter relay team in 2001 with a time of 43.9, going on to the state meet in Shippensburg following both victories. In 1999, Justin was part of the Tornado squad which went on to win its 3rd consecutive Dist IV Title. Following the 2001 season, Justin was recognized as the teams leading point scorer.

Justin will take his many talents to either Bucknell University or Lafayette College to major in Bio-Chemistry.

 

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT

VINCE YASENCHAK

Making all state as a linebacker at Mount Carmel Area has become an annual expectation since 1994 where seven of the 9 starters at the position during that time have been named to some sort of all state team. Vince Yasenchak has moved the bar one step higher by becoming the all-time tackle leader at MCA with a career total of 412. A three- year starter, Yasenchak became only the second player in MCA history to record over 100 stops in 3 separate seasons. Vince also has the distinction of being the only Red Tornado to win a championship in each of his four varsity seasons - State Championships in 1998 and 2000, District Championships in 1998,1999, and 2000, and an Eastern Conference Crown in 2001.

During his career, Vince also chipped in with 8.5 QB sacks, 7 interceptions,4 fumble recoveries, 12 passes broken up and 24 receptions for 392 yards and 6TD's. Yasenchak served as a co-captain during the 2001 campaign and finished his career with a 47-10 record on the gridiron. Vince was named a first team all state linebacker by the Associated Press following the 2000 and 2001 seasons and was recognized as a Toyota Fab 85 player by PA Sports Fever.

Vince has also been a baseball starter since his freshman year as a pitcher , when in his first varsity start, pitched a 3 hitter with 13 K's in a win over Shamokin. He was named to the All Area team and All Schuylkill League teams in 2000 as a pitcher and has a .375 batting average, 14 HR's and 58 RBI's so far in his career. His teams have made it into the Dist IV playoffs in 2000 and 2001. He has served as a captain during the 2001 season and will do the same during the upcoming season.

Yasenchak also spends his winters as a member of the Tornado wrestling squad where he has posted a 39-12 record in 2 years. He finished as the Schuylkill League runner up at 189 lbs in 2001 and posted a fourth place finish in the heavy weight category in 2002.Vince also captains the 2002 grapplers.

Yasnechak has also served for four years as a member of the Student Council at MCA and has been elected as his class vice president for four consecutive years. He has also been active in MCA productions of "Annie" and "Once Upon a Mattress". Vince is also a member of the National Honor Society and National Athletic Honor Societies.

Following graduation, Yasenchak will take his talents to Temple University, where he has been awarded a full athletic scholarship by Coach Bobby Wallace. Vince is the son of Sherry and Vince Yasenchak, Denmar Gardens.