2024 EC FALL SPORTS SEASON REVIEW

Winter Sports Season is just upon us, in fact it starts this Friday as the Boys basketball team will be competing in the EC Tipoff Classic. Meanwhile, Girls Basketball will begin their season the following Monday. Wrestling starts their season next weekend off with tournament play. But before we dribble up the court and pin on the mat, let’s take a look back at the 2024 EC Fall Sports Seaon!

CROSS COUNTRY | 10-1 (10-1)

Cross Country continued their great success the past several seasons under the direction of Coach Nathan Brown. The Wolverines paced their way through the regular season, defeating every team except for a tough battle against Mohawk. Although EC lost to Mohawk by just ONE point for the section crown, the Wolverines still were determined for postseason play. Finishing 10-1 on the season, Cross Country placed 2nd in section while finishing 8th overall as a team during the first event of the year - the 52nd Marty Uher Vulcans Invitational. The Wolverines were led by seniors Bradley Custer, Drew Steffler, and Kailyn Hamilton for the girls team. Upcoming junior Lucas Bleakney rounded out the boys individuals that made their way to states this year, having great success once again. Drew led the charge at states, finishing 28th, while Luke and Bradley finished 45th and 146th respectively. Congrats once again to the entire Cross Country staff!

FOOTBALL | 10-1 (7-0)

The 2024 Ellwood City Wolverines football team delivered one of the most memorable seasons in program history, finishing the regular season undefeated at 10-0 (7-0 in section play) and securing their first section title since 1997. The Wolverines' flawless regular season was a historic accomplishment, marking just the third time in program history—and the first since 1944—that the team achieved an undefeated campaign.

This season also marked a period of resurgence for the Wolverines, as they qualified for the playoffs in back-to-back years for the first time since 2010-2011. Entering the postseason as the #3 seed, Ellwood City hosted the #6 South Allegheny Gladiators in the second round. In front of a raucous home crowd, the Wolverines emerged victorious, advancing to the Semifinals for the first time since 1987. Fittingly, the game took place at Newman Stadium, the site of their 1987 semifinal appearance. The magical run came to an end in the Semifinals, where the Wolverines fell to the #2 South Park Eagles, 28-7. Despite the loss, the Wolverines concluded the season with a remarkable 10-1 record, leaving an indelible mark on the program and community.

Several individual and team records were shattered during the season, underscoring the team’s historic performance. Additionally, over 19 players received MAC Section awards, highlighting the Wolverines' depth and talent. The season also marked Ellwood City’s first-ever semifinal appearance in the PIAA State Tournament, further solidifying its place in the history books. A special congratulations goes out to the 16 seniors who led the charge, providing leadership, skill, and heart across the board. Their contributions will not only be remembered but will also serve as a foundation for future Wolverines teams to build upon.

The 2024 Ellwood City Wolverines football team reminded everyone of the pride, tradition, and excellence of EC football. Congratulations on a season for the ages!

BOYS GOLF | 15-0 (12-0)

The Ellwood City Boys Golf team had a remarkable 2024 season, making history with their first undefeated campaign since 1979. Finishing the regular season with a perfect 15-0 record, the team captured first place in their section, showcasing consistency, determination, and exceptional teamwork throughout the year. The team was anchored by standout performances from senior leader Jordan Keller, whose near-even-par average served as the foundation for Ellwood City's success. Keller’s poise and precision on the course provided a steady hand, earning him accolades as one of the top players in the region.

While the regular season was a story of dominance, the postseason highlighted the team's ability to compete against the best. Ellwood City finished 5th at the MAC Championships and turned in a strong 2nd-place showing at the Tri-County Championships. In broader regional and statewide events, the team earned a 5th-place finish at the competitive Tam O'Shanter Tournament and a 4th-place result at the WPIAL Semifinals, narrowly missing out on a trip to the WPIAL Finals. Jordan Keller represented the team at the PIAA State Finals, where he capped off his stellar individual season by tying for 55th place among Pennsylvania’s elite high school golfers. His performance underscored his talent and served as a fitting conclusion to an unforgettable year.

This historic season reflects the dedication of the players, coaches, and supporters who have propelled Ellwood City Golf to new heights. With the perfect regular season as a testament to their growth, this year’s squad has undoubtedly left a lasting legacy on the program.

GIRLS GOLF | 2-12 (2-12)

The Ellwood City Girls Golf team returned to the links this season with a renewed sense of purpose and a determination to build for the future. Under the guidance of Head Coach Dave Braymer and Assistant Coach Kim Deloia, the Lady Wolverines finished the year with a 2-12 record but showed significant improvement throughout the season. The team's two victories came in a season sweep of section rival Ambridge Bridgers, highlighting the Lady Wolverines' competitive spirit. Beyond the wins and losses, the season was marked by growth, as several underclassmen lowered their average scores by more than five strokes—a testament to the players' hard work and commitment to development.

This season was particularly meaningful as it marked the continuation of the girls' golf program after a hiatus caused by a lack of interest in previous years. The program’s revival represents an exciting step forward for Ellwood City, laying the foundation for sustained success in the years to come.

SOCCER | 0-17-0 (0-16-0)

Soccer continues to battle the Beaver County teams that included Avonworth, Quaker Valley, Central Valley, Hopewell, and Beaver. The Wolverines were led by sophomore Aden Huth who scored 3 goals on the season, giving him 4 scores in his career while tallying all goals by EC the past two years. The team’s depth chart expanded this year while youth play continues to build and gain momentum for the team. Soccer included 8 underclassmen, which all saw a significant amount of time on the pitch.

GIRLS TENNIS | 6-5 (4-3)

The Ellwood City Girls Tennis team made an impressive return to the postseason in 2024, finishing with a 6-5 overall record (4-3 in section play) and earning a spot in the WPIAL playoffs for the first time since 2020. Under the leadership of Head Coach John Dibuono and Assistant Coach Al Campman, the Lady Wolverines showcased their growth and determination throughout the season. Senior standout Kailyn Hamilton anchored the team with her leadership and strong play, helping Ellwood City remain competitive in close section matchups. One of the season's defining moments was the team's thrilling upset of the Central Valley Warriors, a victory that secured the Lady Wolverines' playoff berth.

Entering the WPIAL playoffs as the #17 seed, the lowest in the bracket, Ellwood City made the most of their opportunity. They stunned #16 seed Aquinas Academy in the opening round with a hard-fought upset victory, proving their resilience and ability to rise to the occasion. Though their postseason journey ended with a second-round loss to the top-seeded North Catholic Trojans, the Lady Wolverines gained invaluable experience and confidence for the future.

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL | 14-5 (9-3)

The Ellwood City Girls Volleyball team delivered another strong season, finishing with a 14-5 overall record (9-3 in section play) and securing second place in their section. Continuing a remarkable run of consistency, the Lady Wolverines made the playoffs for the sixth time in the past seven years, further cementing their status as one of the area’s most reliable programs.

Earning the #8 seed in the WPIAL playoffs, Ellwood City hosted the #9 seed Charleroi Cougars in the opening round. Despite dropping the first set, the Lady Wolverines displayed their trademark resilience, rallying to win the next three sets and clinch a 3-1 victory. Their postseason journey, however, came to an end in the second round against the top-seeded Quaker Valley Quakers, where they were defeated in straight sets. The season was highlighted by strong performances in tournament play as well. The Lady Wolverines finished 5th in Pool C at the Moon Tournament and captured 1st place at the MAC Small School Tournament, showcasing their depth and competitive edge.

The team was anchored by a talented group of seniors who carried on the tradition of excellence that has become synonymous with Ellwood City girls volleyball. Their leadership and skill set a high standard for the underclassmen, ensuring the program’s continued success in the future.

OVERALL EC FALL SPORTS RECORD: 57-41 (44-35)

Congrats once again to ALL 7 Fall Sports teams, coaches, players, volunteers, and parents for making the season one of the most successful in recent years! Good luck moving forward - and bring on Winter Sports!