Penn‑Trafford softball coaches and players recognized at Aug. 11 board meeting after postseason run

Penn‑Trafford School District trustees honored the varsity girls softball coaches and players at the Aug. 11 regular board meeting, recognizing the program’s recent postseason run and thanking coaches and staff for their work.

The celebration began when Carrie Hedrick, identified at the meeting as an assistant principal, introduced coaches and players seated in the audience. Coach Benny Little and assistant Mark Cleveland were singled out by Hedrick as leaders of “a top notch staff from top to bottom.” Little addressed the board and audience, recounting the team’s season and the group of seniors the program will lose to graduation.

Little described the postseason final as a narrow loss, saying, “we lost a tough one to Shaler in the Whitfield Championship in extra innings,” and thanked staff and returning players for their contributions. Hedrick and coaches named and introduced more than a dozen players, including Annabelle Carbajal, Allison Polo, Mackenzie Cox, Liz Welch, Bella Ruby, Riley Moore, Gianna Picone, Gabby Ruby, Taylor Noel, Julianne O’Reilly, Angelina Cardamone, Brooke Boss, Ella Mains and Ava Heller.

Board members and meeting attendees praised the team’s conduct. During the recognition, a board member noted the players “shook hands firmly and . . . gave eye contact,” remarks delivered as praise for the team’s representation of the district.

Officials also announced a plan to distribute championship rings on Sept. 19 at the district’s football game against Giske (as stated at the meeting). Hedrick and coaches described other post‑season celebrations and community appearances the team has made since the playoffs.

The board offered formal thanks to the coaches and players and invited them to remain for the remainder of the meeting or leave after the recognition.