Apr 19, 2016 4 min read

California’s tennis players were more concerned about WPIAL hearings and the PIAA rulebook than winning matches at one point last spring.

That’s because the WPIAL ruled last April that the Trojans’ boys tennis team had to forfeit its first four section matches for using a female athlete. California has a girls tennis team that competes in the fall, which made the female player ineligible to participate on the boys squad.

The decision ended the Trojans’ goal of winning a Section 1-AA title and put a black mark on what was a memorable season.

California was 9-0 in the section and 11-0 overall, and the ruling cost the program its first outright section title in almost 50 years.

That didn’t stop a section title banner from being placed in the high school’s gymnasium. Now, the Trojans want a title without an asterisk.

“It would mean a lot to get another title,” junior John Monroe said. “We’re really competitive and we want that section title. We think we have a chance at the WPIAL title and we want to make it to states.”

Those are lofty goals, but Monroe and junior Josh Wohar are setting a good example. The pair defeated Jacob Chovanec and Robbie Bailey, 7-5, 7-6, to clinch the school’s first doubles section title Tuesday.

The WPIAL doubles championships are Monday and Tuesday, but Monroe and Wohar also have their sights set on a team section title. California is 5-0 in Section 1-AA and 7-0 overall.

Despite the forfeits last season, the Trojans qualified for the WPIAL playoffs but injuries led to a first-round loss and an unfulfilled feeling.

“That situation was really disappointing,” Monroe said. “We had great players returning this year, but those four seniors last year missed out. We were confident that we could compete for a WPIAL title. That motivated everyone coming back.”

Most of the returnering players went to Glen Greek Tennis Club in South Park every Sunday for offseason workouts. Monroe and Wohar, in particular, spent extra time crafting their game as a doubles team.

Monroe, who reached the state tournament last year and the semifinals of the WPIAL Class AA singles tournament last week, is not ready to rest on winning section titles.

This season has been about redemption. Though head coach Martha Hall didn’t use last season as motivation, she knew the disappointing news of the forfeits could drive her players to improve.

“Everyone knew what was going on last year,” Hall said. “I would keep them updated after the hearings, but when the decision was made they were all very hurt. It was very disappointing for those students, especially the ones who protested and contacted the media. They wanted to do whatever they could to hold onto the section title they worked hard for.”

That fleeting disappointment has turned into a blind motivation and a decision to not settle for anything less than a section title. Not only does California have one of the best doubles tandems in Class AA, its singles players are a combined 21-0 in section play.

“A section title would mean a lot because it’s special,” Monroe said. “Winning singles are fun and everything, but it’s all about the team. We’re really competitive and we want that section title.”

Kentucky Christian University football has made Western Pennsylvania a major stop on the recruiting trail. The NAIA program, which has 24 scholarships, has offered dozens of WPIAL athletes a spot on the football team.

The latest is Peters Township running back TJ Kpan, who will be a senior next fall after suffering a season-ending knee injury as a junior. Kpan scored two touchdowns in a win over Canon-McMillan and one in a loss to New Castle.

He rushed for 510 yards as a sophomore and caught the attention of college coaches last summer with his intangibles: bench-pressing 330 pounds and running a 4.6-second 40-yard dash.

Ringgold’s top returning weapons on offense are gaining plenty of attention in recruiting circles. They made a trip to Virginia Tech last weekend.

Rams running back Brenden Small, who will be a junior next fall, and Dalton Holt, a senior wide receiver, both took unofficial visits to Virginia Tech, where they were shown around campus by former Washington High School standout Shai McKenzie.

McKenzie, who was limited to two games last season because of a torn right ACL suffered during the 2014-15 season, will be a junior running back for the Hokies next season but will apply for a medical hardship waiver.