Point Park University Recognizes High School Athletic Communication Excellence at Annual Myron Cope Awards Wednesday, March 26, 2025

A photo from the 2025 Myron Cope Awards. Photo | Angelina Caceres.

(L-R) Andrew Stockey, Elizabeth Cope, President Chris W. Brussalis, Kyle Archer, Jayden Becker, Bob Pompeani, Bernie Ankney and Michael DeCourcy.

"Dozens of local high school students and their families attended the award ceremony, with several of the honorees having committed to attend Point Park University this fall. Congratulations to all of our participants."

Bernie Ankney, Ph.D., dean, School of Communication

Point Park University's School of Communication, the PIAA and Myron Cope’s family recently partnered to offer the 2025 Myron Cope High School Athletic Communication Awards. Thirty-two high schools and students were recognized with a Cope Award, including:

Best Sports Coverage in a High School Newspaper

First place: Tyrone Eagle Eye News and Tyrone High School
Second place: Carson Burgh of Franklin Regional High School

Honorable Mentions:

Freedom High School
Penn-Trafford High School
Peters Township High School

High School Sports Podcaster of the Year

First place: Logan Rumberger of Tyrone Area High School
Second place: Varsity Vibes from Peters Township High School

Best High School Sports Broadcast Show

First place: Rowdy Redzone from Peters Township High School
Second place: High School Gameday from River Valley High School

Best High School Sports Segment

First place: Franklin Regional High School TV
Second place: Panther Preview at River Valley High School

Honorable mentions:

Connor Brown of California Area High School
Paul Sembower of Rockwood Area High School

Photos: 2025 Awards Ceremony

2025 Myron Cope High School Athletic Communication Awards

Best High School Broadcast of Live Sports

First place: Mountain Lion Television from Altoona Area High School
Second place: AJ Barnett and Gavin Gress, Seneca Valley High School

Best High School Sports Photography

First place: Olivia Hileman from Peters Township High School
Second place: Ben Schaffer of Wilson High School and Berks Career & Technology Center

Honorable mention: Chris Denkovich of Freedom Area High School

Best Sports Social Media Account for High Schools

First place: North Penn High School
Second place: River Valley High School

Honorable mention: Wilson High School

Best Individual Sports Social Media Account

First place: Andrew Hartung of Mt. Lebanon High School
Second place: Zach Schrader of Trinity High School

Honorable mention: Logan Rumberger of Tyrone Area High School

Best High School Sports Website

First place: Shaler Area School District
Second place: The Purbalite, Baldwin High School

Honorable mentions:

Penn Trafford High School
York Suburban High School

High School Sports Journalist of the Year

First place: Annabelle Aquino, Penn Trafford High School
Second place: Carson Burgh, Franklin Regional High School

Honorable mention: Ava Maloni, Peters Township High School

High School Sports Broadcaster of the Year, the Bob Pompeani Award

First place: Skyler Gaudio, Peters Township High School
Second place: Maggie Troy, South Allegheny High School

Honorable mentions:

AJ Barnett and Gavin Cress, Seneca Valley High School
Connor Brown, California Area High School
Paul Sembower, Rockwood Area High School

High School Sports Play-by-Play Announcer of the Year, the Greg Brown Award

First place: Max Renda, Peters Township High School
Second place: Elijah Henry, West Shamokin High School

Honorable mentions:

Logan Mullins, Connellsville Area High School
Paul Sembower, Rockwood Area High School

High School Sports Multimedia Journalist of the Year, the Michael DeCourcy Award

First place: Meghan Doughty, Peters Township High School
Second place: Logan Rumberger, Tyrone Area High School
Third place: Zach Schrader, Trinity High School

Honorable mention: Paul Sembower, Rockwood Area High School

High School Sports Storytelling of the Year Award

Emma Powell, Baldwin High School

Photos by Angelina Caceres '28.