Pine-Richland notebook: Ryan Cory officially joins long list of Rams linemen in D-I football

By: Jerin Steele
Saturday, January 6, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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Ryan Cory officially signed his letter of intent with Wisconsin on Dec. 20, becoming the latest NCAA Division I offensive line prospect to come out of Pine-Richland.

Cory joins Jalen Klemm (Kansas State/Washington), Mike Katic (Indiana), Andrew Kristofic (Notre Dame) and Harrison Hayes (Liberty) as former Rams linemen who have joined FBS schools in recent years.

Klemm transferred from Kansas State to Washington this year and is on the Huskies team that advanced to the national championship game against Michigan.

Hayes helped Liberty finish the regular season unbeaten and earn a bid to the Fiesta Bowl. The Flames fell to Oregon, 45-6.

Katic has been a mainstay at guard for the Hoosiers and recently announced he’s returning for a sixth and final season next year.

Kristofic played on the line in various capacities for Notre Dame this year as a fifth-year senior. He filled in at center after an injury and helped the Fightin’ Irish top Oregon State, 40-8, in the Sun Bowl.

Now Cory will try to make his mark with the Badgers.

He was a member of the 2023 Trib HSSN Terrific 25 Football All-Stars and received all-state and all-conference honors.

Happy hoops holiday

Pine-Richland boys basketball spent part of the holiday break at the Golden Dome in Monaca and came away with a pair of wins.

The Rams beat Mohawk, 70-65, in overtime on Dec. 28 and topped Woodland Hills, 66-49, the next night.

The victories evened Pine-Richland’s record at 4-4 prior to entering Section 1-6A play.

Five players scored in double figures in the win over Mohawk, led by Eli Wentz with 15. Grant Spacciapolli had 13, Carson Baer and Emery Moye scored 12 each and Zack Kenny added 11.

The Rams outscored the Warriors, 12-7, in overtime.

Moye led the way with 16 points in the Woodland Hills win and Doolin Stober added six points and 10 rebounds.

In the win column

The Pine-Richland girls basketball team hosted a holiday tournament at its newly renovated gym and came away with its first victory of the season.

The Rams beat McDowell, 61-56, on Dec. 29.

Cate Gentile scored 24 points and IUP recruit Madison Zavasky had 23.

The win came at the end of an aggressive nonsection slate. Every team the Rams faced had a winning record and McKeesport, Trinity, Avonworth and Peters Township are either undefeated or have only one loss.

Spencer places

Vaughn Spencer wasn’t able to win a second consecutive title at the prestigious Powerade wrestling tournament at Canon-McMillan, but he did fight his way back to earn a seventh-place finish.

Spencer, a junior, made it to the quarterfinals at 172 pounds but dropped a 5-2 decision to Louis Cerchio from Dalbarton, N.J.

Spencer went 1-1 in the losers’ bracket before earning a 5-2 decision against Omer Barak of Lake Highland Prep in Florida in the seventh-place match.

Jerin Steele is a freelance writer

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