February & March 2015 Spotlight: Playoff Teams

This year, our Lady Spartan basketball team advanced to the semi-final round of the WPIAL playoffs and the second round of the PIAA state playoffs. These accomplishments follow a undefeated season in section 1A play. Way to go Lady Spartans!

In January 2015 the Quigley Spartans marched into the court room to start another season of Mock Trial. With the help of their fearless coach, Timothy Waxenfelter, the Mock Trial team succeeded in having an undefeated season which culminated in the county finals on February 18. It was, “one of the best trials that has ever been presented and it gives me great comfort in knowing that we will be represented by one of these teams in the future competitions,” stated the presiding Judge McBride. And when the dust cleared, our Quigley Spartans were still standing with a final ballot decision of 11-2. However, the Spartans were not done! They have continued their impressive season with a win at the regional finals. Now, our Quigley Catholic Spartans are now headed to Harrisburg to compete for the state title. Keep those wins coming!!!

Included in the picture are Quigley mock trial advisor, Jennifer Popovich esq. (QCHS class of 1996) Assistant District Attorney, Beaver County, James Rockney esq., (QCHS class of 1998) partner, Reed Smith, David Belczyk esq. (QCHS class of 1999) Jones Day.

In addition to our Girls' Basketball team and Mock Trial team, our Speech and Debate team has also been extremely successful this year with several students advancing to statewide competitions.

District 2 Tournament participants to qualify for Pennsylvania High School Speech League State Finals

BACK LtoR Sam Kovach (4th Humorous Interp.) T.J. Belsterling (2nd Prose, qualified to State) Ellen Kruczek (1st Poetry, qualified to State) Rachel Rander, Emily Smith (5th Duo Interp.) George Burnet, (1st Commentary, Qualified to State) Jacob Stumm, (4th in Senate, competing in the Congress at State) Austin Kuntz (5th Dramatic Interp., competing in Impromptu at State) Emily Chinchilla (Poetry)
FRONT LtoR Sarah Belsterling, (Dramatic Interp. competing in Radio Announcing at State, Faith Palguta (Prose)

Congratulations to our students who competed at the state tournament during the weekend of March 21-22. TJ Belsterling and Austin Kuntz made the semifinals of prose and imprmptu, respectively. Ellen Kruczek finished 6th in poetry, George Burnet finished 3rd in Commentary, and Jacob Stumm was the state champion in the House of Representatives. Jacob is the first Quigley student to finish first in state competition since Vinnie Tenerelli won in the same category in 2001.