Even the bitter cold December weather was no match for a sizzling Northgate-Avonworth Swim & Dive team. 

After a season opener sweep of Quaker Valley, our “Flame-a-lopes” racked up two more sweeps and a hard-fought split, ending the month with a 4-0 overall record for the boys and 3-1 overall for the girls. Both squads remain undefeated in Class 2A competition.

Of our roster of 27 swimmers, 16 have already qualified for the upcoming WPIAL Championships (February 27-28), while all 27 have chipped in helpful points to the winning cause. Victories and performances like these don’t come easy, however. Our team puts in long, grueling practice sessions, and many of our Flame-a-lopes train and compete 10-12 months a year. See the results of this hard work in the recaps below.

Dec. 8: NG at Seneca Valley HS. Boys W 94-82, Girls L 103-78

Northgate-Avonworth headed north on I-79 take on Seneca Valley, a 3A power with a large, impressive roster and a world class aquatics center. The Raiders found a worthy, well-matched opponent in 2A Northgate, though the SV girl’s squad had the key advantage of a full complement of divers, versus Northgate girls, with no divers. This proved to be an unsurmountable advantage for SV, though our girls matched the Raiders nearly point for point in the swimming portion of the meet. Conversely, our boys swam neck and neck with SV throughout the contest but topped the Raiders by 12 points, a margin that would have been much narrower had it not been for the surprisingly strong performance of our lone diver, freshman Simon Buzzard.

It was an outstanding effort by all, but Buzzard’s diving success was perhaps the biggest highlight of the meet. Simon, the younger brother of Rachel Buzzard, is a longtime swimmer himself, but he’s been diving for only two years. Despite his novice status, the diver shined like a veteran, earning six total points for his six dives, and every point mattered at this meet.

First Place NG Finishes in order they occurred at meet (* indicates WPIAL qualifying time):

• Girls 200 Freestyle. 2:00.06*. JoAnn Cook, So.
• Boys 200 Freestyle. 1:45.77* (dropped time). Grey McKelvey, So.
• Girls 200 Individual Medley (IM). 2:30.16* (dropped time). Kaitlyn Klaum, So.
• Boys 200 IM. 2:08.79* (dropped time). Nate Parker, Jr.
• Boys 50 Freestyle. 22.56* (dropped time). Sam Cavanaugh, Sr.
• Boys 1 Meter Diving. 160.55 score. Simon Buzzard, Fr.
• Girls 100 Butterfly. 1:02.20* (dropped time). JoAnn Cook, So.
• Boys 100 Butterfly. 56.59* (dropped time). Jakob Vranick, Sr.
• Boys 100 Freestyle. 48.45*. Sam Cavanaugh, Sr.
• Girls 500 Freestyle. 5:16.95* (dropped time). Addison Hase, So.
• Boys 200 Free Relay. 1:31.47*. McKelvey, Parker, Vranick & Cavanaugh
• Girls 100 Backstroke. 1:06.80*. Lila Caulkins, Fr.
• Girls 100 Breaststroke. 1:12.41*. Rachel Buzzard, Jr.
• Boys 100 Breaststroke. 1:03.65*. Nate Parker, Jr.
• Girls 400 Free Relay. 3:49.30*. Campbell, Hase, G. Caulkins, Cook

Other WPIAL Qualifying Finishes:

Girls 200 Medley Relay, 2^nd place. 2:00.23*. L. Caulkins, Buzzard, Klaum, Hase
Boys 200 Medley Relay, 2^nd place. 1:50.24*. Joyce, Blaser, Abouwafia, Petrina
Boys 200 Freestyle, 3^rd place. 1:50.65* (dropped time). Jakob Vranick

Swimmers who dropped time in other events included Billy Petrina (200 IM), Addison Hase (50 Free), Conor Blaser (50 Free), Bavly Naklah (50 Free), Liam Joyce (100 Back), Carter Spahr (100 Back), and Kaitlyn Klaum (100 Breaststroke).

Dec. 15: West Allegheny HS at NG. Boys W 94-75, Girls W 83.5-81.5

When the formidable Indians of “West Ally,” perennial Section 2 contenders, headed back to Northgate for the first time in years, they had every intention of bringing home at least one victory against a Flame-a-lopes team of similar talent and grit. WA brought a large vocal contingent of fans who rivaled the cheering of the enthusiastic bleacher bums of Northgate-Avonworth. It made for a perfect storm of noise and excitement!

From the very first event—the Girls 200 Medley Relay—the girls’ score remained too close to call. Northgate’s Addie Hase took on WA’s tough anchor, Lilly Brumbaugh, in the final, freestyle leg of the medley relay, edging Brumbaugh by just 0.35 seconds. It was an epic start to an epic battle that would come down to just two points—in our favor.

The WA boys, led by senior Alex Aivalotis, fought Northgate tooth and nail, but our boys came out on top because, like our girls, every single one of them scored points for the team.   

First Place NG Finishes in order they occurred at meet (* indicates WPIAL qualifying time):

• Girls 200 Medley Relay. 200.98*. Cook, Buzzard, Campbell, Hase
• Boys 200 Medley Relay. 1:42.94*. McKelvey, Cavanaugh, Parker, Vranick
• Boys 200 Individual Medley (IM). 2:12.01*. Jakob Vranick (dropped time)
• Girls 50 Freestyle. 27.58. Lila Caulkins
• Boys 50 Freestyle. 24.28. Liam Joyce (dropped time)
• Boys 100 Freestyle. 52.22*. Jakob Vranick
• Girls 200 Freestyle Relay. 1:53.03. G. Caulkins, Hase, Cook, Klaum
• Boys 200 Freestyle Relay. 1:37.19. McKelvey, Joyce, Abouwafia, Cavanaugh
• Girls 100 Back. 1:09.07. Rachel Buzzard (dropped time)
• Boys 400 Freestyle Relay. 3:31.48*. Vranick, Parker, McKelvey, Cavanaugh

Other WPIAL Qualifying Finishes:

• Boys 100 Butterfly, 2^nd 54.73*. Grey McKelvey (dropped time)
• Boys 500 Freestyle, 2^nd 5:20.75*. Nate Parker (dropped time)
• Boys 100 Breaststroke, 2^nd 59.06. Sam Cavanaugh (dropped time)

Swimmers who dropped time in other events included Mohamed Abouwafia (200 Free and 100 Breaststroke), Billy Petrina (50 Free), Rachel Buzzard (500 Free), Liam Joyce (100 Back), JoAnn Cook (100 Breaststroke). Other Flame-a-lopes who contributed crucial points to the victory included Taylor Baldauff, Kaitlyn Bates, Emma Gratner, Mavis Meagher, Bavly Naklah, Aubrey Persson, Dylan Puck and Roman Sauter.  

Dec. 18: Carrick HS at NG. Boys W 125-27, Girls W 64-16

Northgate-Avonworth outnumbered and outgunned a Carrick High Raiders team, short on swimmers but full of heart. The Flame-a-lopes dropped more times, qualified for more WPIAL events, and notched another sweep.

First Place NG Finishes in order they occurred at meet (* indicates WPIAL qualifying time):

• Girls 200 Medley Relay. 2:20.06. Hase, Bates, G. Caulkins, L. Caulkins
• Boys 200 Medley Relay. 1:54.78. Vranick, Parker, Schmiedlin, McKelvey
• Girls 200 Freestyle. 2:07.35*. Grace Caulkins
• Boys 200 Freestyle. 2:12.91. Billy Petrina
• Girls 200 IM. 2:21.08*. Addison Hase (dropped time)
• Boys 200 IM. 1:56.44*. Sam Cavanaugh
• Girls 50 Freestyle. 27.04. JoAnn Cook
• Boys 50 Freestyle. 25.68. Mohamed Abouwafia
• Girls 100 Butterfly. 1:06.06*. Bridget Campbell
• Boys 100 Butterfly. 59.60. Nate Parker
• Girls 500 Freestyle. 7:14.63. Taylor Baldauff
• Boys 500 Freestyle. 5:22.01*. Jakob Vranick
• Girls 200 Freestyle Relay. 2:10.40. Meagher, Bates, Baldauff, Buzzard
• Boys 200 Freestyle Relay. 1:45.40. Buzzard, Naklah, Petrina, Vranick
• Boys 100 Back. 58.01*. Sam Cavanaugh
• Girls 100 Breaststroke. 1:12.75*. Addison Hase (dropped time)
• Boys 100 Breaststroke. 1:12.41. Grey McKelvey
• Girls 400 Free Relay. 4:24.85. Cook, Gratner, Campbell, L. Caulkins
• Boys 400 Free Relay. 3:57.99. Abouwafia, Naklah, McKelvey, Vranick

One other WPIAL Qualifying Finish: Girls 200 IM, 2^nd place. 2:21.57*. Lila Caulkins

Swimmers who dropped time in other events included Jake Schmiedlin (200 IM), Kaitlyn Klaum (100 Free), Jameson Conway (100 Free), Mohamed Abouwafia (500 Free), Bridget Campbell (100 Back), Nate Parker (100 Back), and Billy Petrina (100 Back).

REMAINING MEETS (All HOME meets held at Northgate HS)

1/4/26                     AWAY vs Mars HS (@ Rose E. Schneider YMCA, 1 pm)
1/8/26                     AWAY vs Deer Lakes HS, 6 pm
1/13/26                   HOME vs Freeport HS, 6 pm
1/15/26                    AWAY vs Shady Side Academy, 6 pm
1/20/26                    HOME vs South Park HS, 6 pm
1/28/26                    HOME vs Knoch HS, 6 pm
2/3/26                      HOME vs Keystone Oaks HS, 6 pm
2/5/26                      AWAY vs Highlands HS, 6 pm
2/9/26                      HOME vs Blackhawk HS, 6 pm

 

2/14/26                    MAC (Midwest Athletic Conference) Championships, 10 am
                                West Allegheny HS, Imperial

 

2/26-2/27/26           WPIAL Swimming Championships, Pitt

 

3/13-3/14/26           PIAA State Swimming Championships, Bucknell U

 

Northgate-Avonworth Swim Team Info (Roster, Wins/Losses, Stats & More)

 

Join the Northgate World Languages Club for Spirit Night at Chick-fil-A on McKnight Road on Monday, January 12th, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Enjoy a meal with friends and family while supporting our organization. Fifteen percent of the proceeds earned during this time will be donated back to the club.

When ordering, be sure to tell the team that you are “here for spirit night” so your purchase counts toward the fundraiser. Chick-fil-A McKnight Road is located at 7451 McKnight Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237. We appreciate your support and hope to see you there!

Northgate students in grades 5-8 are invited to sign up for Your World, Your Rules, an exciting 15-week after-school program offered by Arts Greenhouse. Led by CMU teaching artists, the program combines creativity, teamwork, and hands-on learning with snacks, prizes, guest speakers, and fun team games.

Students will explore big questions such as:

• How do we make fair laws?
• What responsibilities do we have to our community?
• How do we treat people who are different from us?
• What happens when our society faces a challenge?

Through drawing, model-making, storytelling, and democratic processes, participants will design an entire imaginary society from the ground up, including its culture, laws, language, currency, and environment. As citizens of their societies, students will create artworks that reflect their community’s values.

Once the society is “up and running,” they’ll put it to the test against challenges like alien invasions, pandemics, fast fashion, and more, learning problem-solving and critical thinking along the way.

Your World, Your Rules is a unique opportunity for Northgate students to create, imagine, and lead while building collaboration and civic awareness in a fun, interactive setting.

Register here!

Northgate School District is seeking motivated and dedicated coaches to join our football program for the upcoming season.

Open Positions:

• Defensive Coordinator
• Varsity Assistant Coach
• Varsity Assistant Coach

Applicants should be committed to developing student-athletes and contributing to a competitive, team-oriented program.

Interested applicants should contact:
Todd Goble, Athletic Director
Todd.Goble@northgatesd.net

Local Allegheny County music teachers, Jessica Haberman (Northgate), Cyndi Mancini (Montour), Michael Buckstein (University of Pittsburgh), have been selected to join a marching band of more than 300 band directors from across North America in the Pasadena Rose Parade on January 1, 2026. The band will accompany a colorful, animated float along the 5.5-mile parade route.

The Saluting America’s Band Directors parade entry will convey the theme, “America’s band directors: We teach music. We teach life.” to recognize the extraordinary dedication and accomplishments of band directors and music educators everywhere. Throughout their careers, the music educators in this band have collectively mentored and taught hundreds of thousands of students. These professionals not only teach and conduct music, they teach about life itself.

As in 2022, the 2026 Band Directors Marching Band will accompany a float entitled “Banding Together.” The float-band entry is unique to Saluting America’s Band Directors. Crafted by Artistic Entertainment Services, the “Banding Together” float salutes all the students, teachers, and communities who band together to make music happen.

Through its theme, “America’s Band Directors: We teach music. We teach life”, the Saluting America’s Band Directors project aims to spotlight the extraordinary dedication and accomplishments of band directors everywhere. Regardless of where they teach and work—public and private schools, colleges and universities, the military, or community bands—dedicated music educators and leaders work long hours to not only teach and conduct music, but to impart critical life skills. Student lives in particular are positively changed by motivational leaders who teach, inspire and mentor them.

According to Haberman, “This will be my second time performing with the Band Directors Marching Band, and it is such an extreme honor to be selected to march and perform with a prestigious group of music educators from across the country.”

The band will be directed by nationally known music educator and innovative band director Jon Waters, who will also lead rehearsals and other performances of the band when in Pasadena.

The sponsoring organization behind the Saluting America’s Band Directors project is the Michael D. Sewell Memorial Foundation, based in Pickerington, Ohio. The foundation was created to recognize and carry on the work of the late Mike Sewell, who dedicated his life to the school and community music programs in Pickerington and the Central Ohio area for almost 40 years.

Northgate-Avonworth Swim and Dive kicked off their season with decisive victories for
both our boys’ and girls’ teams in a clean sweep of a tenacious Quaker Valley. Our
“Flame-a-lopes” thus retain the crown of this annual Backyard Brawl with the Quakers.
Boys W 110-53, Girls W 102-66.

The victory was a full team effort, with points earned up and down the roster. The
performance in fact qualified Northgate swimmers for a whopping 15 events at the
upcoming WPIAL Swimming Championships this February. So many qualifying events
is very rare for the first meet of the season. (See more in “QV Meet Stats” below.)

“This is the best prepared we’ve ever been for a first meet, and it showed,” said a
smiling Head Coach Ashley Vranick, celebrating with her team afterwards.

Of the many meet highlights—too many to list here—one hard-fought battle rose above
all. Sophomore standouts Greyson McKelvey, of Northgate, and Augustin Zhan, of QV,
faced off in the 200 IM. Both had dazzled crowds as top freshmen at States this past
March and, away from high school meets, both boys swim as teammates for the same
club. But as the gun sounded and each swimmer catapulted off the block, all
pleasantries fell by the wayside. Greyson quickly grabbed the lead in the butterfly and
fought to keep it through the backstroke, but Augustin launched into a killer breaststroke
and closed the gap as the pair dug down for the final 50 yards of freestyle. It was neck
and neck right up to the last few inches, as the fans roared. When the boys touched the
wall, no one knew who had won, until it appeared on the scoreboard—McKelvey by
0.37 seconds, 2:02.67 to 2:03.04 over Zhan. What a race!

This meet was a great start for our co-ed squad but, more importantly, it launches a
season that promises lots of excitement from a team stocked with driven, seasoned
veterans who never back down against the toughest competitors in Section 3, the
WPIAL or the entire state.

Our 2025-26 Team

Returning All-State swimmers include seniors Sam Cavanaugh, 3-time All-Stater and
WPIAL Gold Medalist, committed to Bucknell University, and Jakob Vranick, committed
to Westminster College; juniors Rachel Buzzard, Nate Parker and Liam Joyce
(Honorable Mention); sophomores Joanne Cook, Greyson McKelvey, Bridget Campbell
(Honorable Mention), and Addison Hase (Honorable Mention).

Returning WPIAL Championship competitors include all the above, plus senior Conor
Blaser, and sophomores Kaitlyn Klaum and Mohammed Abouwafia (alternate).
Rounding out our veteran swimmers are senior Taylor Baldauff, juniors Jameson “JJ”
Conway and Bavly Naklah, and sophomores Billy Petrina, Jake Schmiedlin, and Carter Spahr. Every one of our returning swimmers contributed crucial points that ensured our
strong winning season in 2024-25.

Finally, a hearty welcome to Flame-a-lope newcomers, including junior Emma Gratner
and freshmen Kaitlyn Bates, Simon Buzzard, Grace Caulkins, Lila Caulkins, Mavis
Meagher, Aubrey Persson, Dylan Puck and Roman Sauter. Simon will also be our lone
diver whenever we compete against teams that have divers. With no divers on our team
last season, he will be a very helpful addition!

Team Captains for the boys team are Jakob Vranick and Nate Parker; for the girls team,
Taylor Baldauff and Rachel Buzzard.

Our Coaches

Ashley Vranick returns for her second year at the helm and her third consecutive year
with the team. Ashley coached YMCA teams for over 10 years and continues to
complete in Masters Swimming with the formidable Sewickley Y team. Joining Ashley
this year as Assistant Coach is Sean Halpate, with two decades of coaching (both head
and assistant) with the Northgate Aquatics Club Stingrays. The NGAC has captured 11
consecutive West Central PA Swim League titles under his guidance. Halpate coached
most of current Flame-a-lopes at some point of their swimming careers. Welcome back
Coach Ashley and welcome aboard Coach Sean!

We also welcome back volunteer coach Amy Charley, who also brings much expertise
and valuable experience, including four years competing on the University of Missouri
swim team, a perennial D1 power. Our other volunteer coach, specializing in diving, is
newcomer and swim parent, Greg Buzzard. Thank you both for volunteering your time!

We thank our coaches for the countless hours they put in and for their dedication to
helping our young men and young women do their very best in and out of the water!

QV Meet Stats

Northgate-Avonworth First Place Finishes as they occurred at meet (* indicates WPIAL
qualifying time):

• Girls 200 Yard Medley Relay. 2:00.66*. JoAnn Cook, Rachel Buzzard, Kaitlyn Klaum, Addison Hase
• Boys 200 Yard Medley Relay. 1:43.94*. Grey McKelvey, Nate Parker, Sam Cavanaugh, Jakob Vranick
• Girls 200 Freestyle. 2:03.51*. Addison Hase
• Boys 200 Freestyle. 1:59.12*. Nate Parker
• Girls 200 IM. 2:17.12*. JoAnn Cook
• Boys 200 IM. 2:02.67*. Grey McKelvey
• Girls 50 Yard Freestyle. 26.62. Bridgett Campbell
• Boys 50 Freestyle. 23.28*. Sam Cavanaugh
• Boys 100 Butterfly. 59.55*. Jakob Vranick
• Girls 100 Freestyle. 56.95* JoAnn Cook
• Boys 100 Freestyle. 49.49*. Grey McKelvey
• Girls 500 Freestyle. 6:12.81. Aubrey Persson
• Boys 500 Freestyle. 4:50.80*. Sam Cavanaugh
• Girls 200 Freestyle Relay. 1:50.35*. Grace Caulkins, Bridget Campbell, Lila
• Caulkins, Aubrey Persson
• Girls 100 Backstroke. 1:09.22. Rachel Buzzard
• Boys 100 Backstroke. 103.61. Jakob Vranick
• Girls 100 Breaststroke. 1:14.24*. Lila Caulkins
• Boys 100 Breaststroke. 1:04.59*. Nate Parker
• Girls 400 Freestyle Relay. 4:15.32. Lila Caulkins, Bridget Campbell, Aubrey Persson, Kaitlyn Klaum
• Boys 400 Freestyle Relay. 3:27.22*. Greyson McKelvey, Liam Joyce, Jakob Vranick, Sam Cavanaugh

In future articles we will try to track all swimmers’ time drops from their seed times. Too
many new swimmers had no previous times during this meet. That will change next
meet.

Upcoming 3A Meets

The next two meets are AWAY against teams in the state’s “big school” division, 3A.
(Northgate is in the other PIAA division, 2A). The first contest is against Seneca Valley,
on December 8, and the second is against North Allegheny, on December 10. NA, a 3A
state powerhouse, captured top place among boys’ teams in the 2025 PIAA State
Championship. Their girls captured gold in 2024.

ALL REMAINING MEETS (All HOME meets held at Northgate HS)

12/8/25 AWAY vs Seneca Valley, 6 pm
12/10/25 AWAY vs North Allegheny, 5 pm
12/15/25 HOME vs West Allegheny, 6 pm
12/18/25 HOME vs Carrick HS, 6 pm
1/4/26 AWAY vs Mars HS (@ Rose E. Schneider YMCA, 1 pm)
1/8/26 AWAY vs Deer Lakes HS, 6 pm
1/13/26 HOME vs Freeport HS, 6 pm
1/15/26 AWAY vs Shady Side Academy, 6 pm
1/20/26 HOME vs South Park HS, 6 pm
1/28/26 HOME vs Knoch HS, 6 pm2/3/26 HOME vs Keystone Oaks HS, 6 pm
2/5/26 AWAY vs Highlands HS, 6 pm
2/9/26 HOME vs Blackhawk HS, 6 pm
2/14/26 MAC (Midwest Athletic Conf) Championships, 10 am
Week of 2/23/26 Date TBA WPIAL Swimming Championships
3/13-3/14/26 PIAA State Swimming Championships, Bucknell U

Northgate High School will be holding girls basketball tryouts on Thursday, November 14, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the Northgate High School gymnasium. Tryouts are open to girls in grades 9 through 12 who are interested in joining the team this season.

For more information, please contact Coach Betty at (412) 292-1376 or betty.howard@northgatesd.net, or Coach Stef at (412) 587-1916 or stefonadams44@icloud.com.

We hope to see you there!