Westmoreland County high school notes: Latrobe’s Ella Bulava out with torn ACL

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Tuesday, August 15, 2023 | 11:01 AM

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Ella Bulava, a senior soccer standout at Latrobe and a Maryland commit, will miss the high school season after having surgery for a torn ACL.

The injury happened about a month ago while she was playing for her Pittsburgh Riverhounds Academy club team. It follows another setback: She broke her foot in February and had surgery that kept her out four months and cost her the spring cup season.

“(The ACL surgery) puts me back about seven to eight months,” said Bulava, a midfielder. “But I will still be a part of (Latrobe’s team) as much as I can. I’m heartbroken about it. I’ve had a pretty bad run this year.”

An all-state and All-WPIAL player, Bulava had seven goals and eight assists last season for Latrobe, which is again expected to contend for the WPIAL 3A title after reaching the semifinals.

Camp surprise

Belle Vernon had a touching moment at the end of its football heat acclimatization week.

During its media day Friday, where people could take photos and videos at James Weir Stadium, a Kodak moment presented itself when Army Sgt. Evan Minahan showed up in his fatigues.

Minahan’s two sons, Brayden and Dominic, were thrilled with the surprise visit from their father, who was home from a 10-month tour in the Middle East.

Brayden is a freshman football player for the Leopards.

Power couple

A pair of WPIAL girls basketball coaches are preparing to tie the knot.

Nick Dizon, the coach at Avonworth, and Belle Vernon coach Kaitlyn Slagus are engaged.

Dizon proposed to Slagus last week when the couple went out to dinner.

Friday night lights

The Pittsburgh Steelers Friday Night Lights practice always draws a crowd. Some say it is the most popular day of training camp.

This year’s workout at Latrobe Memorial Stadium drew nearly 14,000. It also drew traditional help from the Latrobe football team.

Wildcats players helped to set up for the event, then lined up to greet the Steelers when they arrived from a short bus trip from Saint Vincent College.

“It was cool to high-five those guys who have made it,” Wildcats junior running back and linebacker Alex Tatsch said. “It was cool to say hello to Patrick Peterson and Darnell Washington.”

Latrobe quarterback John Wetzel, a fan of George Pickens and Minkah Fitzpatrick, also was impressed with the 6-foot-7, 264-pound Washington.

“He’s huge, man,” Wetzel said. “I couldn’t believe how big he is.”

Martin honored

Norwin wrestling coach Kyle Martin was named the USA Wrestling Northeast Region Person of the Year.

Last month, Martin guided U16 boys and girls teams to national titles at the USA Junior National Championships in Fargo, N.D.

A number of his Knights Regional Training Center members had successful tournaments, including incoming Norwin freshman Landon Sidun, who won a national title at 113 pounds.

Cal offers Morgan

Greensburg Central Catholic rising senior basketball player Mya Morgan picked up her second Division II scholarship offer in a week. Cal (Pa.) and coach Jess Strom extended an offer to the talented shooting guard who averaged 16.7 points last season for the Centurions.

Wheeling also recently offered the 5-foot-9 Morgan.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Avonworth, Belle Vernon, Greensburg C.C., Latrobe, Norwin