Saucon Valley senior Jeremy Leidich originally became interested in competitive running as a student at St. Theresa School, where one of the elementary teachers had started a track program. "I joined that program and loved it right away," he recalled. Unsure as to whether or not he could compete at the high school level of cross country, Jeremy went to the Hellertown Pool to discuss his dilemma with the pool manager and Saucon's cross country coach, Ed Kolosky, who told him to try it out. "Originally I hated it, but after a summer of terrible training I began to improve," Jeremy said. "I …

Saucon Valley senior Dana Linsky swims year-round with her club team at Lehigh Valley Aquatics. Dana credits her coaches, who have been great and provided the necessary support during her four years as a member of the Saucon Valley swim team. "My father swam when he was younger," she explained. "My parents had me try it when I was 10. I loved it and have been swimming ever since." In 2011, winning a medal at districts as a member of the Saucon's 400 Medley Relay Team (which also included Sam DaSilva, Amanda Long and Rebekah Evangelista) was a career highlight for Dana. Any time she did not …

Saucon Valley senior Peter Daniel recalls that he has always loved being around water, whether at a pool or the beach. "I always swam as a kid, never competitively on a team though," he said. He joined the Panther swim team with several friends and because his older brother Kyle had been a member. Peter likes the competition, but at the same time it has been a fun and low-key experience with his friends and coaches. "We like to work hard and encourage each other. It has been a great experience and I will miss my team," he said. In each of his four years, Peter has qualified for districts. He …

Saucon senior Matt Laub credits his parents for introducing him to various sports at a young age. He began playing football in the Saucon Valley Youth Program as a third grader. As a freshman he played JV football, and by the fourth game the running back/outside linebacker had his first start on Coach Matt Evancho's varsity squad, which he lists as his career highlight. He describes his entire Panther football experience as "a blast." Failing to make the playoffs would be his greatest disappointment. After he graduates, Matt expects to continue playing football at Delaware Valley College. …

Saucon Valley Boys Soccer Head Coach Mel Moyer provided the following comments about three of his team's seniors (in quotes at the start of each profile): "Nate Schriffert has been our anchor in the back and we used him all over the field this year. He is a great team leader and captain." Nate played for the Saucon Valley Travel Team as a six-year-old, the all-area select team in fifth grade, FC Lehigh in seventh grade and Lehigh Valley United from eighth through 12th grades. He handled the sweeper position on the Panther JV team. A varsity player from 2010-2012, Nate has played "wherever the…

Natalie Roche wanted to try something new when she entered Saucon Valley High School and chose volleyball, a sport that was not especially easy for her to play. "I have improved a lot and now I love the game!" she said recently. The team's lone senior, Natalie said, "I enjoy bringing my positive attitude to each game and practice. I've been through three head coaches and Coach (Christa) Paul is awesome.... I'm glad I got her in my senior year." Roche's career highlights include: 2012 varsity captain, "the kill" the 5'4" Outside Hitter made during the 2011 Southern Lehigh game, and this year's…

What would the probability be for a brother and sister to not only play a position that requires physical toughness and total involvement in every defensive play, but also to perform at a high level offensively? Well that is exactly what fraternal twins Kelly and Kevin Schreder have done as catchers on the Panther softball and baseball teams! Recent graduates, Kelly and Kevin first played on a coed T-ball team in Austin, Texas when they were about five years old. Kevin began playing Little League when he was in first grade and began catching as a 10-year-old. Just before the twins began …

Saucon Valley senior Christina Calvo had never played a competitive sport until she began playing attack for the Lady Panther varsity lacrosse team as a ninth-grader. To improve her LAX skills she also participated in Kutztown University's sport camp last summer. "I am pretty sure I had four goals this year," Christina said recently. "Our team is like one big family," she explained. "We use the phrase ohana because it means 'family' in Hawaiian. We have grown super close this year because of our coaches. We go out and do things together like going to Wing Night at Starters Pub. We are just a …

As a ninth grader, Saucon Valley's Gavin Coyne began playing tennis with his friend and eventual doubles partner Luis Devia. A four-year varsity starter, Gavin says he always plays tennis for fun and enjoys the game, whether he is winning or losing. "Coach says I always have a smile on my face," he said. Gavin's coach, Joann Ochse, provided the following summary of his role as a leader of the Panther boys tennis team over the past four years: "Gavin...played doubles his freshman and sophomore years, and number 2 and 1 singles his junior and senior years. He was twice selected MVP of our team…

Senior Marcos Flores has always had his eye on the future. After his freshman year at Saucon Valley, he realized it would be beneficial for him to get involved in some type(s) of school activity that he could list when it was time for him to apply for post-high school educational opportunities. As a result, he decided to walk on as a possible football player for Coach Matt Evancho in August 2009.  "Marcos started playing for the first time ever as a sophomore," Evancho recalled. "Through hard work and dedication, Marcos worked himself into being a starter at defensive end." "Marcos was a …

Playing soccer has been a part of senior Kelly Shoenberger's life since she was four years old. Through middle school and as a member of the Western Lehigh travel team, which she joined when she was in eighth grade, Kelly always played defense. It wasn't until she entered ninth grade that she not only learned to play the keeper position, but also started as the varsity goalkeeper. "Kelly has been a four-year starter for us in goal," coach Stevie Ocshe noted. "At first she was wary of playing in net, but eventually made the position her own." Coach Ochse added that "some of the highlights of …

Craig Mogel, who just completed his sixth year as Saucon's head coach, expected more from this year's girls basketball team (12-12). However, he was pleased to notch a 41-28 first-round District XI playoff win over Wilson Area (14-9) on Jan. 22. Not only was it the first playoff win during his tenure at Saucon, but it was also the Panther girls' first post-season win in 12 years.  Karine Polgar, a senior member of the team, has been a point guard since she began playing basketball as a fourth-grader, and she credits her dad for always being there to encourage her. Her exceptional talent was …

After his family relocated to the Saucon Valley from Chicago, senior center Christian Kennedy played basketball during his middle school years. He continued his hoops career as a member of the JV team and as a sophomore he became a member of the varsity team. He continued to improve his skills at basketball camps as a member of the Southern Lehigh Warriors during the summer of 2010 at DeSales University, and as a member of the Lehigh Valley Elite team at Lehigh University during the summer of 2011. Some of Christian's career highlights as a member of the Panther varsity team include winning …

Saucon Valley senior Amanda Long first hit the water at the Allentown YMCA/YWCA on 15th Street as a third-grader. She continued gaining additional swimming experience during her fifth and sixth grade years at Swim-In Zone in Center Valley. Her specialty just happens to be the breaststroke, which is one of the most challenging strokes to perfect. As a ninth-grader Amanda swam the 200 individual medley (IM) and the 100 breaststroke, and was a member of the 200 medley relay team. She recalled that as a freshman, when she swam in the PIAA District XI AA championships at Parkland, at the start of …

There are many reasons for an athlete to choose a particular sport. Saucon Valley senior Brian Peterson's case, injuries suffered during his freshman year helped propel him toward the pool, where he has excelled. Brian initially suffered a knee injury while skiing as a ninth-grader, and that spring he further injured his knee while running for the track team. As a result of these injuries, in his sophomore year he decided to try swimming. Although it is not an easy task to begin competitive swimming so late, Brian made up for his lack of experience by swimming at the Emmaus Aquatic Club five …

Alyssa Whitman was the lone senior on the 2011 Saucon Valley field hockey team, and when asked what that was like she responded: "Oh, now it is me!" She said she liked the challenge of providing leadership, and even had her younger sister as a teammate. First year head coach Phil Danaher had this to say of his senior team member: "Alyssa stepped up as the only senior and took the reigns of an extremely young and inexperienced varsity squad. Her leadership and determination was clearly evident, as the team continued to get stronger as the season wore on. Pushing the top two teams in the …

Saucon Valley senior Garrett Powell began playing soccer when he was in kindergarten. He played intramural soccer throughout his elementary years and during middle school he played club soccer in the Lehigh Valley Premier League. As a sophomore and a junior Garrett played various mid-field positions on the Panther varsity team. This year he played the left outside midfield position. Varsity head coach Mel Moyer had high praise for Powell's work ethic. "Garrett is a senior captain and starting outside mid for us. He has scored pretty meaningful goals for us this year and he is one of the …

Saucon Valley High School senior Dina Gayanova credits her father for encouraging her to play volleyball as a seventh grader. As a ninth grader and again as a 10th grader she played setter for the Panthers. As a junior she became an outside hitter and this year she is the team's middle hitter. Dina noted that there are currently many players getting their first opportunities to play varsity volleyball because eight senior starters on the 2010 team had to be replaced. Team members play as a unit, she emphasized. "We give it our all whether the team wins or loses," she said. "All the players …

As a ninth grader, Saucon Valley senior Troy Heffelfinger--who had played soccer since elementary school--had to choose whether to continue playing soccer or concentrate on his new interest: golf. Golf and soccer are fall sports, so there would be no way he would be able to play both. Influenced by both his dad and older brother, Adam, he decided to play golf.  In 2009, as a sophomore, Heffelfinger was the #2 player on the Saucon Valley Colonial League Championship Team that edged Palmerton for the title, 408-409. In 2010, as a junior, his personal career highlight occurred when he shot his …

Although Panther opponents are rarely aware who #2 is until she removes her helmet, senior Megan Huston has been nearly perfect as the Point After Touchdown (PAT) kicker for Coach Matt Evancho. So far the 5' 9" athlete has made all PATs except for her second attempt in the Pen Argyl game, when the snap was mishandled. "She is mentally tough," Evancho said when asked to describe Huston. "She has a lot of pressure on her to make the kicks and that pressure never seems to get to her. If the long snapper and holder do their job, I have no doubt she will make the kick." When asked how she became …