Sports Highlights

The girls’ volleyball team ended their season with a record of 11-8. They made it to both county and district playoffs, losing in the first round of both. Paige Chase commented on how they prepared for the playoffs, “We tried to mimic game-like and higher-stress situations in practice to help us mentally prepare for the stress of the playoffs.” For county playoffs, they played Twin Valley and fought hard the whole way. For the district game, they played Spring Grove and battled back and forth. They ended up on the losing side, but they showed how much they improved during the season. This team got really close and worked as one team to win games. Olivia Brady, Paige Chase, and Tara Hirschritt all earned All-Division this season.

There were five seniors this year; Olivia Brady, Julia Yobb, Marty Welch, Julia Missimer, and Rose Berluche. One of the captains, Olivia Brady, had been a starter since her freshman year and has seen this team grow. She expressed how she felt about playing her last game, “I was devastated knowing I was never going to play the sport I love with my favorite people ever again, but I was glad we made it as far as we did.” She also talked about her favorite part of the season, “My favorite thing about the season was forming friendships with new people and strengthening the bonds I already had, which led to memories I will never forget.” Another captain, Paige Chase, also added, “Our game against Marion Catholic. I just had so much fun playing with everyone and seeing everyone come together as one team.” The seniors led this team to the playoffs and supported them along the way. Olivia Brady commented on how she will miss her teammates, “I’m going to miss the bonds I created with the team and the feeling of everyone playing together like a team should. This season itself was my favorite thing I was ever a part of and I’m going to miss it more than anything.” This team will continue to improve for next year’s season. 

As the fall season has come to an end, here is a recap of some of the sports. The golf team had two wins, 369-424 over Muhlenberg and 370-392 over Kutztown. The team was very young with no seniors, yet they fought hard to get better throughout the season. The team is still working on improving for the upcoming seasons to hopefully have a better record. 

The boys' and girls' cross country teams had very respectable seasons both finishing 5-2 in the league. The boys' team's overall record was 9-6, and the girls’ team was 10-5. Overall, it was a fairly good season for both of the teams showing great leadership and work ethic. We hope to see some athletes in the upcoming track and field season. Both teams have a bright future in having many runners who could eventually help advance the team to a county championship.

The girls' tennis team had lower numbers, but as the season went on, they began to develop strengths with consistent training and hard work as a team. We hope to have more athletes joining the tennis team in the upcoming seasons as this will help the team become stronger. Overall we hope to see all athletes come out for spring and next year's sports seasons.

The football team had a great season this year. Going 9-3 and reaching the semi-finals of the District 3 Playoffs, the Panthers made a name for themselves. The Panthers were on a roll breaking many season records; 9-3 is now the best record in SV football history. Senior Colby Crills says, “The season the team had this year was fun and exciting.” He also believes, “Steve Heck has contributed a lot to this team calling plays compared to previous years.” The senior is very satisfied with how the season has turned out. Many Panthers earned awards after the season. Kowen Gerner, Luke Spotts, Colby Crills, and Reese Washmer all earned the all-division first team. Beating Littlestown in the first round of the District Playoffs is the first-ever home playoff win in SV football history. The Panthers would then go on to face state-ranked Wyomissing in the semi-finals. They would unfortunately end up losing. However, the team didn’t hang their heads. Instead, they kept them high as they looked back at all of the accomplishments they had achieved this season.

The girls' soccer team ended their season with a league record of 9 wins, 1 loss, and 1 tie and they had an overall record of 18 wins, 4 losses, and 1 tie, which is the best record in school history for the girls’ soccer program. They went to county and district playoffs and also went to states for the second time in school history. Senior Captain Lexi Seymour said, “This season really meant everything. I am so proud of how far we've come. Aiming to go far in the playoffs will be the new standard in the years to come." Senior Captain Emily Goetz added, "I believe the upcoming future of the girls’ soccer team has much potential and a great mindset to continue where we left off this year." Senior Captain Jenna Kirby said, "We were very successful and had amazing games. I am happy to watch the future of SV girls' soccer because I know I'm leaving the program in good hands.” With all of that said the girls’ soccer team has a bright future ahead of them here at Schuylkill Valley.

The girls' field hockey team played hard all season long and finished with a record of 11-9 and qualified for county and district playoffs. The team had its strengths and weaknesses just like any team would. They plan to work hard to improve themselves and their team for the upcoming 2024 season. Senior Laura Schlappich said this was her favorite season and she will miss her younger teammates. Another senior Sierra Merkel said that her favorite moment of the season was the last game. She enjoyed looking back at all the memories, having a tailgate, and doing the final secret sister gift trade. The team has 5 seniors and we are wishing them the best for what is ahead of them. 

The SV cheer team, coached by Angela Hohenadel, has a very competitive and hard-working group. The squad has 24 cheerleaders. Five cheerleaders have been given the amazing opportunity to cheer at the Citrus Bowl in Florida: Eve Kalinowski, Makayla Bowers, Emmelia Neff, Alexa Davis, and Noah Sonon. Along with that, the squad has two seniors. They are Ciara Ohl and Andria Blake. Andria commented on how the team will do this next season, “From being at practice and competitions I see a strong group of girls that try super hard at everything they do." She also mentioned that “I can see them performing very well this season.” When asked what the team's strengths were, Andria stated, “Communication, adaptability, problem-solving, and conflict resolution.” Ciara Ohl added about her experience, “I have cheered my whole life but high school cheer in itself has been rewarding” and  “It can be physically challenging at some points but being allowed to get into the community and feel successful is 100 times better.” She also stated, “The team and coaches make the experience more enjoyable because we have become a family.” The cheer team demonstrates exemplary effort and a strong ability to bond as a team. Best of luck to them this season! 

This year's girls' basketball team is led by team captains and seniors Kalika Kauffman, Natane White, and Juliana Stichter.  The team also has seniors Amber Becker, Ava Kichline, and Awa Manneh. Coming off of an 11-12 season last year where they made a County Playoff appearance, the girls are ready to be successful. Two of the biggest strengths the team consists of is “working hard and hustling” according to Kalika Kauffman. When asked about what the future of the team is going to look like, Juliana responded, “I think we are a 15-7 team. We hope to enter the postseason with confidence, and go far.” Juliana also stated that “passing the ball, looking for easier shots, and staying mentally strong” are key factors the team needs to work on. Overall, the team has high expectations this year with Natane White saying, “I expect this season to go very well. We have our whole varsity team from last year returning. I expect us to go far into the postseason because we work hard and hustle.” Everyone at Schuylkill Valley wishes the girls the best of luck this season. 

The boys’ basketball team is looking forward to having a great season. Multiple players have been showcasing their skills on the hardwood. The team features seven seniors: Maddyx Dissinger, Dominic Giuffre, Jacob Zimmerman, Julian Kemmerer, Drew McGonigle, Xavier Torres, and Donovan Miley. When asked about their goals for the season, Jacob Zimmerman said, “To make another trip to county and district playoffs.”  Regarding what he’s done in preparation for the season, Dominic Guiffre said he has been “watching lots of films and working on conditioning.” On the strengths of the team, Maddyx Dissinger replied, “Our shot selection and their ability to bond on and off the court.” The team is focused and determined to show off their skill and ability to perform on the court and prove why they are a division contender every year. 

The swim team is looking to have a great season this year. The seniors for this year are Jenna Kirby, Annie Gao, Alexis Seymour, and Charlotte Wallace. Last year the girls’ team won their seventh District lll championship title. When asked “How will the diving season go?” Senior Lexi said “Carly and I will both do well this season and both hopefully make it to counties. I think we have a good chance of placing in most of our meets this season.” Senior Jenna Kirby was asked, “What is her mindset going into this year of swimming?" She said, “I am determined to get our eighth district win in a row this year, all while having fun and making it a memorable last season.” When asked the question “What are the biggest strengths on the swim team,” sophomore Owen Eisenhofer replied “Having good strong swimmers in almost all the events.” Best of luck to both the swimming and diving team! 

The boys' wrestling team is in the rebuilding process but still has high intentions for the season. Coming off of back-to-back successful seasons, the team has a lot of younger players who they need to build to become key players on the team. Senior Sebastian Cruz’s main goal for the team is to “learn more and teach the less experienced kids great technique and to execute in real matches." Dominic Cole thinks he and his fellow seniors and captains “will be able to start the rebuilding process and teach the younger kids what it is like to win.” The team needs to work on their ability to compete individually, but at the same time win as a team. Come out and support the matches this winter season! 

The girls' wrestling team is in its first year as an official team sport. The girls have very high expectations for their season this year, and hoping for a few of the girls to make an ambitious run to districts this season. The wrestling teams are coached by Jeremy Smith, whose main goal is to develop and teach great wrestlers who are interested in moving forth with the sport. The girls' wrestling team is led by seniors Kelsey Busch and Kayley Weidner who both have 3 years of previous wrestling experience. Weidner was asked about the team’s strengths and weaknesses: "The weaknesses are we have so many new wrestlers this year, which can put us at a disadvantage compared to other teams who have wrestling experience. However, our strengths are that we will build new wrestlers for years to come and make SV wrestling really great." Kelsey Busch also commented, "Obviously winning is a huge thing for us because we want a successful first season, but there's so much more than winning that we want to strive for. Including building skills and creating great wrestlers for the future.” A common goal throughout the team is to create ambitious and worthy wrestlers for the future of Schuylkill Valley wrestling. Please come out and support the girls’ wrestling team as they continue to build and work hard throughout their season.