With winter sports beginning, Township’s basketball, bowling, rifle, swimming, wrestling, unified bocce and track head coaches were asked to comment on their teams and the season ahead. Below are their responses.
Boys Basketball
Head Coach: Matt Johns
Assistant Coaches: TJ O’Gorman, Todd Scolnick, Zach Sheetz, Isaac Beers and Earl Holmes
What was your record last year?
Our record was 12-10 last year. We graduated our three primary ball handlers and leading scorers.
What athletes are playing a pivotal role in leading the team this year?
We anticipate our key contributors this year to include Jack Kenneff, Ellis Vorhis-Witmer, Gabe Guarino, RJ Bailey, Yianni Papadimitriou, Manoli Papadimitriou, Dane Byler, Aiden Zulick, Jalen Mack and more. Gabe Guarino, RJ Bailey and Manoli Papadimitrou have shown outstanding leadership all offseason.
What is the team’s motto or mindset?
Our team’s mindset is that we are young and hungry. We were very close to breaking through last year and experiencing some of the success from our past great teams. It is time to follow through this year.
What are the team’s goals?
We focus on process goals more than anything. One goal is to play with enthusiasm. A second is to quickly define and play the roles that our team needs us to play to be successful. A third is embracing the depth of our team and recognizing that we need many people to contribute this year in a variety of ways.
What strategy does the team use to reach success?
Our team focuses on being fundamentally sound, playing quickly in transition on offense and then making our opponent defend us from as many positions as possible. We do not have one significant tall player to build around. However, we have collective size and length that we want to use to our advantage defensively this year. On any given night we could have a different leading scorer and that is exciting.
Additional Comments:
We would love to see our students at our games. We are away a lot in December but then make up for it with several home games in January.
The Boys’ Basketball team will host Inclusion Night vs Hempfield on Jan. 15 with more details being shared in December and January.
Girls Basketball
Head Coach: Devonne Pinkard
Assistant Coaches: Anthony Jones, Grant Conway, An’Dionne Smith and Megan Seibert
What was your record last year?
Last season we were 19-11. We made the league championship game, were the sixth seed in districts and made the state playoffs.
What athletes are playing a pivotal role in leading the team this year?
Julia Weaver, Bella Stern, Toby Bergstrom, Liv Parmer and Ciniya Robinson are all returning contributors.
Julia was named all-defensive team in section 1 last season. She is aggressive on the basketball and competes hard every possession.
Bella is a calm presence with a beautiful jump shot.
Toby is a physical player in the paint. Her athleticism is an asset for our group.
Liv is our captain. She has a motor that does not stop. She rebounds with intensity, defends with pride and competes with passion.
Ciniya is one of our most skilled players. She can really shoot the ball from 3 and create space to score the ball from multiple angles.
What is the team’s motto or mindset?
The team’s mindset is to improve 1% each day. We’re not chasing perfection, we’re chasing progress. If we get 1% better every day in how we play, how we prepare and how we treat each other, we’ll reach our goals by the end of the season.
What are the team’s goals?
Our goals aren’t just about winning games, they’re about becoming the best version of ourselves. If we focus on effort, execution and energy every single day, the wins will take care of themselves.
What strategy does the team use to reach success?
We will compete with discipline, effort and togetherness.
Bowling
Head Coach: Ryan Graham
What was your record last year?
Our record last year was 59-32. We won section 1a.
What athletes are playing a pivotal role in leading the team this year?
Key returners are Noah Scheuerman and Josh Finkelstein. Aidan Sofillas is bowling this season and will definitely contribute to the team in a huge way.
What is the team’s motto or mindset?
Our mindset is to fill frames and focus on one goal at hand, and that is winning the section again this season. Hempfield will be a tough battle this season but we have what it takes to repeat as section champs.
What are the team’s goals?
The team goal is similar to the last comment about winning the section again. Individually, we will have goals for each person in hopes to see improvements from everyone from start to finish.
What strategy does the team use to reach success?
Communication and determination will be words the team will hear from me much this season. The bowling team will have some new first time bowlers this year so working with them as much as possible to get them acclimated will be a big factor as we start the season.
Rifle
Head Coach: Allison Noecker
What was your record last year?
Varsity rifle was 11-3 last year and tied for second place.
What athletes are playing a pivotal role in leading the team this year?
We have 10 seniors on the team and many other returning shooters. Many of them are ready to make a real impact. Gretchen Fahrney has been an all-star last year and will likely be one again this year, Andrea Warren and Ava Culbertson were close last year and poised to make the list this year. Our team captains are Gretchen Fahrney, Andrea Warren, Ava Culbertson and Charlotte Graves.
What is the team’s motto or mindset?
Success comes from practice, mindset and teamwork.
What are the team’s goals?
The team’s goal is to make the section championship ours again this season, and to continue to be one of the top three teams in our sport.
What strategy does the team use to reach success?
Our team continues to work hard to support each other while working on individual goals.
Swimming and Diving
Head Coach: Dan Graybill
Assistant Coach: Nikki Macey
What was your record last year?
Manheim Township Swimming and Diving record for the 2024-2025 season was 8-1 for girls, and 6-3 for boys.
What is the team’s motto or mindset?
Our mindset, program philosophy and attention to goals is supported by a conviction:
*that a competitive swimming program should focus on technique. Good technique enables a firm foundation for future success.
*that sportsmanship and team work are essential.
*that children learn to win with humility and to lose gracefully.
*that the program will be a building competitive experience and that program participants will eventually compete on the high school level and beyond.
*that through practice attendance and meeting experiences children gain a sense of responsibility and confidence.
*that respect for fellow teammates, coaches, opposing competitors and officials is paramount.
*that swimming is a life sport.
Boys Wrestling
Head Coach: Aaron Moldoff
Assistant Coaches: Greg Meglic, Mike Pellitta, Jason Lyons and Connor Moyer
What was your record last year?
Last year we were 12-9 overall and 6-1 within our league and were co-league champions.
What athletes are playing a pivotal role in leading the team this year?
We have a few great leaders on the team. Brock Meglic, Jonas Gaydos, Aidan Steffy, Trey Landis and Max Kolbrener are all stepping up as leaders on the team.
What is the team’s motto or mindset?
Our mindset is to always be getting better and to always compete.
What are the team’s goals?
Our team goals are to be section champs again, and to bring us to the state tournament in March.
What strategy does the team use to reach success?
Our strategy is to be in great shape by working hard everyday and to have a “team first” mindset and make sure our individuals are doing their best to step up for the team.
Girls’ Wrestling
Head Coach: Gabe Bogutskie
Assistant Coach: Lexie Andino
What was your record last year?
Our dual meet record last year in our League was 5-2, with our overall record being 12-4. Saying that, we also sent five girls to the district tournament and ended up with one of our girls on the State podium.
What athletes are playing a pivotal role in leading the team this year?
I truly believe all of our athletes are going to play a pivotal role in this upcoming year, because a team is strongest when together. This is a sport where our individual matches lead to a team result, and good teammates are those who bring the best out of each other. So I am excited to see everyone shine in their own light.
What is the team’s motto or mindset?
Our team mindset is that heart and effort beat talent when talent doesn’t work hard. Wrestling is a sport that doesn’t care how talented you are, it rewards dedication and exposes lack thereof.
What are the team’s goals?
With girls wrestling being a newer sport I would say we have several goals. With the most important ones being that everyone has a fun and enjoyable experience, that everyone feels like they are progressing toward their goals whatever they may be, and that we can get as many girls to come out and see what a great atmosphere it is.
What strategy does the team use to reach success?
I think as a team a strategy we use to be successful is that everything can be used as a lesson or learning opportunity. Whether you win, lose or draw there is always something you can learn and gain from it. If you can have your mindset reflect that notion, and focus on just getting better as opposed to winning you will be successful.
Unified Bocce
Head Coach: Beth Krebs
What was your record last year?
Last year, Team 1 finished third in season and advanced to Leagues. Team 2 tied for fifth place for the season.
What athletes are playing a pivotal role in leading the team this year?
Jaelynn Neidermyer – Coming back for her third year. She works wonderfully with all team members to unify the team, shows compassion and is willing to coach and help everyone.
Abigail DeHart- Also coming back for her third year. She is full of positivity, smiles and thrives in our lead off position.
Benjamin Kavanaugh – Coming back for his second year. He plays a pivotal role by encouraging everyone, understands the rules of the game and coaches everyone on strategy.
What is the team’s motto or mindset?
The oath: “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
Significance: The oath applies to all Special Olympics athletes and events, reinforcing the importance of courage and effort alongside the pursuit of victory.
Unified Sports: Unified Bocce specifically pairs athletes with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team, and this motto applies to all participants in the program.
What are the team’s goals?
Have fun, make it to leagues and beyond.
What strategy does the team use to reach success?
Supporting each other and keeping sportsmanship in mind.
Winter Track
Head Coach: Robin Shugarts
Assistant Coaches: Courtney German, Chris Houck and Bliss Strauss
What was your record last year?
Winter track does not have regular competitions so we do not have a record from last year, but we did have four individuals qualify to compete at States last year – Adam Kingston (placed second in the 3000), Ethan Peffley (placed 10th in the 800), Emily Edelman (placed 11th in the shot put) and Elena Barrall (placed 18th in the mile).
What athletes are playing a pivotal role in leading the team this year?
All of these athletes [described above] were seniors, so I’m looking for last year’s underclassmen to have a great season and “fill the shoes” that were left by the loss of these athletes. Those athletes I’m expecting to have a great indoor season are: Piper Fogleman, Marissa Delgado, Anne Hosler, Georgia Ealy and Emerson Hardy for the girls team; Josh Henshaw, Ben Doumaux, Jack School, Xavier Burton, Ethan Martin and Rowan Stevens for the boys team.
What are the team’s goals?
The majority of our athletes compete in both the winter and spring track season so trying to train hard in the winter and keep that going for six months through the end of the spring season can be tough on the body. For those that ran cross country in the fall, it is even more challenging to continue pushing and trying to peak since they will only have about two weeks off from August to May. That being said, during the winter track season, we focus more on preparing for the spring season, injury prevention, and building team morale.
