2024 NP Fall Sports Recap
By Amaya Monacelli
COVINGTON TWP, Pa., November 15, 2024 – Around the world, sports are something that unite people of different languages, cultures, and backgrounds. Although sports are celebrated around the globe, they are just as crucial in the small town of Covington Township, Pennsylvania; more specifically North Pocono School District. North Pocono High School houses 9 fall sports- co-ed cross country, girls tennis, girls volleyball, football, boys and girls golf, and boys and girls soccer. As the fall sports seasons have concluded, it is important to highlight the components of each team’s season.
Cross Country- Boys and girls
Coached by Mrs. Lentowski and Ms. Hamer, the cross country team was led by captains Cora Palermo, Kaitlyn Kravitz, Roland McLaine,and Ethan Williams. They finished the 2024 season with an overall record of 10-13 for the boys, and 17-6 for the girls. Seniors Cora Palermo, Kaitlyn Kravitz, Roland McLaine, Ethan Schield, Christian Segiel, John Doyle, Ethan Williams brought the talent and personality to the team that carried onto the overall performance. Freshman Gavin Best placed as a top finisher in almost every race, along with adding significant points for North Pocono. Senior Kaitlyn Kravitz also placed in the top competitors in every race and scored the most points for North Pocono. Kaitlyn’s hard work won her the MVP and also second team all star for the Lackawanna League.
Football
Coached by Mr. McAndrew, Mr. Strempek, Mr. Wolff, Mr. Ianni, Mr. Hatala, and Mr. Epifano, the football team was led by captains Brady Lavery, Karson Gibson, Mason Richards, and Ethan Mensel.They finished the 2024 season with an overall record of (5-6) and a conference record of (4-6). Senior captain Karson Gibson finished the season leading the Trojans in tackles. Senior running back Brady Lavery also finished the season as the leading rusher with nine touchdowns on the year. The team MVP is lineman Mason Richards, who battled through a double shoulder surgery and anchored both lines of scrimmage. The all conference players for the Lackawanna League were not selected yet.
Golf- Boys
Coached by Mr. Potis, the boys golf team was led by captains Ricky Drake and Jason Walsh. They finished the 2024 season with an overall record of 7-6, and a conference record of 7-5. Senior Jason Walsh spearheaded the team’s success, averaging an impressive score of 39. Seniors Jack Gorzkowski and Ricky Drake have also contributed to the team’s success- Jack started in all thirteen matches played this season, while Ricky Drake averaged a score of 47. The team MVP is Jason Walsh- he earned himself a school record, receiving 10 medals in a single season, while also being the only Trojan to qualify for the Division 1 First Team All Star Team this year.
Golf- Girls
Coached by Mr Nardella, the girls golf team was led by captains Lyla Jones, Norah Smith, Paige Dymek, and Melaina Evans.They finished the 2024 season with an overall record of 4-3, and a conference record of 4-3. Freshman Julia Biko kicked off her golf debut by earning the second lowest scoring average on the team, along with assisting in victories against Scranton Prep and Abington Heights.The team MVP was junior Lyla Jones- Lyla had the lowest scoring average on the team, placed first in the opening league tournament, and a top 25 finisher in the state of PA. Lyla Jones was selected as all conference players for the Lackawanna League.
Soccer- Boys
Coached by Mr. Arcurie, Mr. Myers, Mr. Rava, and Mr. Joga, the boys’ soccer team was led by captains Aidan Bassi, Eliot Bowen, Zach Evans, Justin Fontanella, Gavin Phillips, Reid Connors, Erick Maldonado, Aaron Youngblood, PJ McLaine, Rocco Rava, Luciano Arcurie, and Logan Phillips. They finished the 2024 season with an overall record of 16-4-0, and a conference record of 11-3-0. Senior Zach Evans finished the season with a record of 33 goals in one season, 17 assists and 50 points. Senior Eliot Bowen also broke a school record this year, finishing with 27 assists in one season and 68 in his career. The team MVP has not been selected yet. Eliot Bowen, Zach Evans, and Nick Martin were selected as LIAA Division 1 1st Team All-Stars. Oscar Pardo, Rocco Rava, and Wyatt Tucky were selected as LIAA Division 1 2nd Team All-Stars.
Soccer- Girls
Coached by Mr. Derenzis, Ms. Gladys and Ms. Demartino, the girls’ soccer team was led by captains Delaney Connors & Lily Prussia. They finished the 2024 season with an overall record of 9-9-1, and a conference record of 3-8-1. Senior defensive midfielder Delaney Connor was responsible for the transition game, along with regaining and maintaining possession on both ends of the field. Sophomore Aniya Brago Jackson forced opposing defenses to account for her on the field. Aniya tallied 9 goals and 5 assists this season, but the attention she drew from the opposing teams players helped to open up scoring opportunities for her teammates. The team MVP has not been announced yet. Delaney Connors & Marlie DeRenzis were selected as first team all Lackawanna League players.
Tennis- Girls
Coached by Mr. Seitzinger and Mr. Lewis, the girls’ tennis team was led by captains Natalie Pagotto, Ella Jadine, and Kara Erickson. They finished the 2024 season with an overall record of 8-6. Additional information has not been added yet.The team MVP has not been announced yet. Seniors Natalie Pagotto and Kara Erickson were selected as honorable mentions for the Lackawanna League Coaches All-Star Team.
Volleyball
Coached by Ms. Zero, Ms. Thompson and Ms. Mokay, the volleyball team was led by captains Soyer DeLucy, Mia Summa and Mariah Wolff. They finished the 2024 season with an overall record of 20-2, and a conference record of 16-0. The chemistry between junior Mia Summa and senior Soyer DeLucy successfully ran one of the most dominant offenses in District 2. The volleyball team had an extremely successful season that pushed the program to a 2023 district title and 2024 Lackawanna League Championship. Mia surpassed 500 kills this year, while Soyer concluded her NP career with 1,934 assists and 260 aces in 4 years. Seniors Soyer DeLucy, Mariah Wolff, Lauren Clarke, Caleigh Birtel and Eileen Posluszny have all been crucial components to the teams success and will be greatly missed. The all conference players have not been announced yet.
The hard work of each individual team has not gone unnoticed. As North Pocono athletes work to grow stronger in the offseason, their dedication will show in seasons to come. Thank you to every senior and coach who sacrificed their time each year throughout the season. There are still two seasons left in the school year to observe what else athletes can accomplish, vamos Trojans!
