Photo Courtesy Pittsburgh Marathon Clara Santucci, a resident of Dilliner, won the Women's Pittsburgh Marathon and qualified for the United States Olympic Trials. Santucci also finished sixth at the Chicago Marahton.

Abigail Gillespie (15) reacts dejectedly while Central Bucks West players celebrate after scoring in overtime to defeat Canon-McMillan, 2-1, for the PIAA Class AAA girls soccer title. The Lady Macs were competing in their first final while CBW owns eight state championships.

Avella's Jake Temple reacts after defeating West Branch's Buzzy Maines during a 220-pound finals match in the PIAA 2A wrestling championships in Hershey, Pa., Saturday, March 8, 2014. (AP Photo/Chris Knight)

California High School’s Kailyn Clancy puts the shot at the WPIAL Class AA Southern Qualifier at South Side Beaver. Clancy won two field events, the shot put and discus. Her throw of 37-11 1/2 in the shot put was a personal best. Clancy went on to win the PIAA championship.

Tommy Karpency of Adah, in Fayette County, connects with a right hand to the face of Dhafir Smith during the “Madness at The Meadows” boxing event in July. Karpency defeated Smith to win the WBA/NABA Pennsylvania lightweight title.

Peters Township soccer players Ryan Ponchione (10), Nicco Mastrangelo (9) Mario Mastrangelo (back), Dylan Weyers (13) and Rylen Faloni (20) hoist the PIAA Class AAA boys soccer championship trophy after defeating Great Valley, 2-1, in Hershey.

Photo courtesy of The Meadows Dave Palone, a Green County native and WSashington County resident, returns to the winner’s circle after becoming the winningest harness racing driver in the world.

Associated Press Peters Township native Alison Riske had a busy year, winning her first WTA tournament (in China) and advancing to the third round of two majors.

Andrew Pine reacts in agony after Lancaster Mennonite scored the game-winning goal 1:26 seconds into the second overtime to beat South Fayette, 2-1, and advance the PIAA Class AA soccer championship game.

Katie Roupe / Observer-Reporter Despite a thunderstorm just prior to the start of the first bout, a large crowd attended "Madness at The Meadows," the first outdoor boxing card held at the Meadows Racetrack & Casino.

Paige Smith and Judson Wiley’s Jorja Seng don’t let the rain or the softball game stop them from having a conversation during a TWIST softball league contest.

Hunter Hayes bursts through the Dunmore line and bolts 95 yards for the decisive touchdown in South Fayette’s 28-16 victory over the Bucks in the PIAA Class AA championship game in Hershey.

Photo courtesy Otterbein University Julie Stroyne, a former standout tennis player at Peters Township High School, became the first player in the history of the Ohio Athletic Conference to be named the league's Player of the Year in four consecutive seasons.

Josh Luko pitched California to the WPIAL Class A baseball championship and was named the Observer-Reporter’s Player of the Year.

The California baseball team begins to pile on pitcher Josh Luko after the Trojans defeated Carmichaels 6-1 to win the WPIAL Class A Championship at Consol Energy Park in May.

Washington’s Alyssa Wise finishes second in the 400-meter relay during a rainy track meet at Baldwin High School in May 15. Wise won the 100-meter dash that day with a time of 11.95, setting the WPIAL Class AA record.

With sluggers like Observer-Reporter Player of the Year Olivia Larusso, Canon-McMillan was among the top five teams in the nation in home runs.

Hilo, Hawaii, players throw their gloves and caps in the air after beating Chinese Taipei 5-3 in the Pony League World Series championship game Aug. 13.

Bre Tongel/Washington Wild Things

The Washington Wild Things’ Matt Sergey pitched the only perfect game in the Frontier League’s history August 24, 2014 against the Gateway Grizzlies. Two of Sergey’s teammates dumped a water bucket on him during a postgame interview.

A sea of hands go for the football as Hampton’s Gus Schmitt (14) watches as his teammates, Luke Andersson (80), and Nate Hyre Ringgold ‘s (3) go up with Ringgold’s Jake Gerard (81) and Mayson Atkinson (8) during a WPIAL Class AAA playoff game.

Waynesburg University’s Christian Koroly (11) runs to celebrate with Byrum Louco (25) after the Yellow Jackets defeated Washington & Jefferson in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference basketball tournament in February.

Waynesburg’s Hannah Gibbons hits a double in the second inning of a WPIAL softball game against Trinity on March 21.

Canon-McMillan’s Dalton Macri blows a kiss to the crowd as he is declared winner of the WPIAL Class AAA 126-pound wrestling championship. Macri beat Hempfield’s Sam Krivus with a 4-3 decision.

Wild Things’ Daniel Poma gives a high five to Garrett Rau after Poma scored in an extra inning against Southern Illinois Miners giving Wild Things the win. Rau’s hit sent Poma to third base where Poma scored on a wild pitch.

Chris Sidick, a 7-year player for the Washington Wild Things and a Cecil native, became the first Washington Wild Things player to have his jersey number retired.

Jack Relihan kisses the PIAA Class AA trophy while J.J. Walker (25) and Ruan Schmider (13) watch. South Fayette defeated Dunmore, 28-16, to win its second straight state football title and cap an undefeated 16-0 season. The Lions have won 32 games in a row.

South Fayette’s Roman Denson holds up the ball after intercepting a pass during the PIAA Class AA semifinal game against Hickory. South Fayette won 44-14.

Waynesburg’s Jake Forsythe went head over heels on this run in the ECAC Southwest Bowl against Buffalo State.

New Brighton”s Jesse Sabol (6) can only grasp the jersey of Wash High running back Malik Wells (24) as he runs for another big gain. Wash High had another undefeated regular season and won the Interstate Conference championship.