Mars graduate Lauren Wasylson signed a contract to play with ZKK Spartak Subotica, which is the top level of women's basketball in Serbia. Wasylson was a Class 5A all-state player during her time with the Fightin' Planets. During Wasylson's senior season, she helped the Planets beat Archbishop Wood 36-33 in the state championship game.

Wasylson started he collegiate career at Xavier and played three seasons there. She ended up transferring closer to home to play at Duquesne. During her time in college, Wasylson averaged 5.5 points per game and avereged 2.3 rebounds per contest.

Wasylson's best statistical season was her freshman year with the Musketeers. She averaged 7.2 points per game and shot 38.3 percent from the 3-point line during her freshman year.

"We are very happy for one of the hardest-working players who have come through our program," Duquesne coach Dan Burt said in a news release. "Lauren has overcome significant adversity and injury to help Duquesne be better and now, to lead Spartak Subotica."

Josh Rizzo is the owner and publisher of Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges. Story ideas can be submitted to [email protected] or on X @J_oshRizzo.

Pine-Richland High School graduate Meghan Klingenburg, 36, was released by the Portland Thorns of the National Women's Soccer League on Monday. Klingenburg, a former standout defender for the U.S. women's national soccer team, has played professionally since 2011. Klingenburg got her start with magicJack in the now-defunct Women's Professional Soccer league.

Klingenberg eventually wound her way to the NWSL in 2014 with the Houston Dash. She made 151 appearances for Portland after signing with the club in 2016. As a defender, Klingenberg was counted on to do any scoring. Instead, she helped provide a steady hand on the Thorns' backline.

Portland won the NWSL championship in 2017 and 2022.

Josh Rizzo is the editor and publisher of Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges. Story ideas can be submitted to [email protected] or on X @J_oshrizzo.

Gavin Sunnafrank always wanted to be more involved with wrestling. The Summit Academy sophomore has two brothers who wrestle and he believed he may enjoy the sport too. But outside of wrestling at the youth level, Sunnafrank hadn't been involved in the sport much.

When Sunnafrank, an Erie native, landed with Summit Academy this fall, he chose to join the team and has found some success. After entering the Penn Hills Holiday Tournament with a 2-1 record, Sunnafrank significantly increased his win total during his run through the 172-pound weight division.

Sunnafrank collected three pins and a techincal fall to win a tournament for the first time in his life.

"I definitely need to work harder," said Sunnafrank, who is 6-2 on the season. "But this is a big boost for my confidence."

Summit Academy was one of three schools, along with Highlands and Washington, to have more than one wrestler bring home a championship. The Golden Rams had an event-high seven winners, while the Little Prexies also had two champions.

Summit Academy coach Arthur Stewart was proud of Sunnafrank's effort. During the champion match, Sunnafrank was taken down first by Riverview's Cole Brunn. Brunn was able to trap Sunnafrank on the edge of the mat going for a pin, but Sunnafrank worked his way out of bounds.

"It's all heart," Stewart said. "No one can coach heart. I can't coach heart. He has heart."

Sunnafrank defended another takedown attempt from Brunn before ending up on top. He was able to wrap up a pin 1 minute, 20 seconds into the first round.

"I had to listen to my coach," Sunnafrank said. "I don't even remember to be honest. I was on bottom. I got up and got out of there."

Sunnafrank collected four wins on the day. He pinned teammate Brent Toy in 1:19 in the first round before sticking Woodland Hill's Brendan Luptak in 1:51 to reach the semifinals.

Stewart said he was proud of his team's overall effort. Rocco Zugai also won a championship at 127 pounds. Zugai is a much more experienced wrestler than Sunnafrank. Zugai had a 15-11 record last season at Yough.

Sunnafrank said he wanted to make his dad and brothers proud. He wasn't sure if a championship was possible at the start of the tournament.

"I was thinking if I was going to do good or not," Sunnafrank said. "It felt good to wrestle my hardest."

Josh Rizzo is the owner and publisher of Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges. Any story ideas can be submitted to [email protected] or on X @J_oshRizzo.

The Penn Hills Holiday Wrestling Tournament saw Highlands win the team event. The Golden Rams had the most champions with seven.

Washington and Summit Academy also produced two winners. There will be more coverage later in the evening.

Here's a look at the rest of the winners:

107 pounds: Javeon Chambers (Highlands)*
114: Daemon Phipps (Penn Hills) pinned Caleb Mcfarlane (Allderdice), 1:47
121: Noah Patton (Washington) p. Levin Dickson (Highlands), :38
127: Rocco Zugai (Summit Academy) technical fall Evan Morgan (McKeesport), 16-1 4:48
133: Burton Babinsack (Highlands) p. Javen Woods (Allderdice), 1:32
139: Aiden Burford (Highlands) p. Levi Smith (Penn Hills), 1:53
145: Elijah Elser (Brashear) p. Dylan Mains (South Allegheny), :52
152: Caleb Patton (Washington) injury default Darnell Jackson (Penn Hills), 4:40
160: Kyren Vesaley (Highlands) injury default Alex Wylly (Riverview)
172: Gavin Sunnafrank (Summit Academy) p. Cole Brunn (Riverview), 1:20
189: Jayden Calhoun (Highlands) p. Tom Paternoster (Allderdice), :59
215: Joshua Battocchi (Highlands) p. Quentin Ainsco-Brevvard (Woodland Hills), 1:01
285: Caden Dadowski (Highlands) p. Kar'zell Daugherty (Washington), 1:30
*No tournament held, Chambers was winner of five-wrestler round robin

The transfer portal has made the bowl season chaotic. But the openings created by players heading to different schools or the professional ranks has created opportunities for younger players. Penn Hills graduate Julian Dugger, who didn't appear in Pitt's first 12 games as a true freshman, got the call for the Panthers in the GameAbove Sports Bowl.

Dugger helped Pitt erase an 8-point halftime deficit and forced overtime during a 48-46 six overtime loss to Toledo Thursday afternoon in Detroit. The Panthers trailed 20-12 at halftime after starting walk-on David Lynch. Dugger, who had a few running players in the first half, stepped in and shouldered the load in the second half.

Lynch struggled with turnovers, throwing two interceptions. Dugger finished with two touchdown passes. Dugger finished with 88 rushing yards on 21 carries and scored a touchdown. His touchdown run in the first overtime gave Pitt a 37-30 lead.

Dugger did throw an interception in the fourth quarter.

Josh Rizzo is the editor and publisher of Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges. Story ideas can be submitted to [email protected] or @J_oshrizzo on X.

North Allegheny graduate and Pitt soccer standout Sarah Schupansky signed a contract with NJ/NY Gotham FC of the National Women's Soccer League. Schupansky had a successful collegiate career at Pitt.

Schupansky appeared in 82 games for the Panthers, contributing 32 goals and 43 assists. Schupansky also finished with 43 assists. 

Burrell and Kiski has long been the best among the WPIAL's rivalry matches in Westmoreland County. The Buccaneers didn't fold in the face of pressure Saturday at Kiski. Facing a 33-point deficit, Burrell picked up six wins and forfeit to rally past Kiski 35-33.

​The Buccaneers have now beat the Cavaliers in three straight seasons. Before this current streak, Kiski had won 10 in a row.

The Shaler boys basketball team beat Plum 62-51 Friday night. Read about it in the Valley News Dispatch and Tribune Review.

The Shaler girls basketball team improved to 7-1 overall and 2-0 in Section 1-5A with a 61-40 over Plum. Jorja Bernesser led the Titans with 20 points.

The Mustangs (2-5, 1-2) are tied for fourth place with Penn Hills.