Around The USCAA - 5/2/16
Around the USCAA is a weekly article that highlights current happenings, key matchups, and relevant news stories from across the association. If you have a relevant news piece that you would like considered for inclusion please send it to info@theuscaa.com.
SUNY Canton Hosts 2016 New York State Special Olympics Summer Games
Canton, NY – Nearly 200 Special Olympians accompanied by SUNY Canton student-athletes and volunteers of the community took part in the 2016 New York State Special Olympics Summer Games on Saturday on SUNY Canton's campus.
This was the fourth straight year the institution hosted the North Country Region's games. The day began with the opening parade as the Olympians entered the track in the field house through a Roos tent and took a lap around to the roar of enthusiastic cheers that filled the Roos House. SUNY Canton President Dr. Zvi Szafran officially declared the North Country Region Summer Games open.
The competition began shortly after 10 a.m. and consisted of approximately 15 events including track and field events such as 25, 50 100 and 200 meter walk and runs, softball and javelin throws, bean bag toss, soccer kicks and basketball skill events and games. The events took place inside the Roos House, on the turf field, inside the ice hockey arena and nearby Dana Hall. The event continues to be a tremendous experience for the Special Olympians, the SUNY Canton Athletics department and the community as a whole.
*Courtesy of SUNY Canton Athletic Website
Penn State Mont Alto Hires New Volleyball Coach
The Mont Alto Athletic Department announces Leah Pongratz as the new Head Women's Volleyball Coach entering the 2016 season.
Coach Pongratz has coached at various levels from grades six and up, starting her coaching career as a middle school coach and volunteer assistant at Boonsboro High School in Washington County. She went on to coach U16 and U18 teams for three seasons with the Tri State FCA Volleyball Club (now Washington County Juniors) in Maryland before taking the Assistant Varsity/JV Coaching position at Mercersburg Academy. After spending a season there, she moved to a Head Coaching position at St. Maria Goretti High School in Hagerstown, MD. Coach Pongratz then returned to her former coaching roots, and alma mater, as the Head Varsity Coach for Boonsboro High School in Washington County, MD.
Coach Pongratz holds a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Frostburg State University and has been an elementary school teacher for the Washington County Public School system for eight years. She currently lives in Greencastle, PA with her husband, Rob, and four year old son, Benjamin.
*Courtesy of Penn State Mont Alto Athletic Website
Key Weekly Matchups
Baseball
5/8/16 – 5/12/16 USCAA Baseball National Championships hosted by College of St. Joseph’s Vermont in Glens Falls, New York
Softball
5/3/16 - College of St. Joseph’s Vermont at Lyndon State College - Doubleheader
5/7/16 - 5/9/16 Penn State University Athletic Conference Championship