Matt Freed, Post-Gazette Members of the Aliquippa track team that won the PIAA Class AA boys' title, give 'A' sign for Aliquippa. Team members are, from left, James Sims, Desmond Patrick, Byron Wilson and coach Sherman McBride, Tommie Campbell and Michaiel Washington. Click photo for larger image.

WHO ARE THEY? Tommie Campbell, Desmond Patrick, Byron Wilson, Michael Washington and James Sims represented Aliquippa at the PIAA Class AA track and field championships this past weekend at Shippensburg University.

WINNING THE TITLE: Campbell, Patrick, Wilson and Washington -- all seniors -- all scored points in the meet as Aliquippa became the first WPIAL school to win a team title since Steel Valley won Class AAA in 1983. Aliquippa had 43 points while Westmont Hilltop finished second with 41.

TAKING THEIR PLACE: Campbell finished first in the 100-meter dash (10.65 seconds) and second in the 200 (22.42). Wilson won the long jump with a leap of 22-3¹/₄. Patrick was fifth in the 100 (11.06) and Washington eighth (11.22). Patrick, Wilson, Washington and Campbell ran on the 400-meter relay team that finished first (42.63).

Aliquippa never had a PIAA champion in a running event until this year.

MAKING AN IMPACT: Aliquippa coach Sherman McBride said, "What these guys did this year will help us a lot in the future in getting more kids out for track."

Campbell and Patrick ran track only two seasons. The school does not have a track, and its athletes practice in a parking lot. Campbell believes there are other good track athletes in Aliquippa.

"There's probably someone back there right now who's faster than me but doesn't want to come out," Campbell said.

McBride said: "People have to understand that these guys have worked hard. They played other sports, too, and worked hard in those. A lot of people say, 'We just roll the balls out at Aliquippa and let them go.' But these guys have worked hard."

THE FUTURE: Campbell is headed to Pitt on a football scholarship and Washington to Hawaii on a football scholarship. Patrick plans to attend Santa Monica College (Calif.), then wants to play football at a Division I college. Wilson is undecided on a college.

Although Campbell's No. 1 sport is football, his track days might not be over. "I'm going to see if my [football] coaches at Pitt might let me run track at some point," he said.

-- By Mike White

SCHOOL: Ambridge

WHO IS SHE? A 5-foot-7 junior pitcher who led Ambridge into the WPIAL Class AAA championship softball game today.

LAST WEEK: Joy pitched a perfect game in a 2-0 victory Friday against Franklin Regional in the semifinals.

ONE TO REMEMBER: Joy's father, Kevin, plans to frame a copy of the scorebook from the perfect game. Joy also got the game ball.

"It's still unreal that happened," Amy Joy said. "Somebody asked me after the game if it was the first perfect game I've ever thrown. I think I've done it in travel ball and other leagues along the years, but I haven't thrown one against a good team. It really doesn't mean the same as this one."

ZERO TOLERANCE: Joy has not allowed a run in three WPIAL playoff games. She pitched a one-hitter in a 10-0 victory against Mars and a two-hitter in a 9-0 victory against Thomas Jefferson. Ambridge has allowed only one run in the past nine games.

SEASON: Joy has a 13-2 record. She has pitched 114 innings and allowed only five runs (three earned).

A MATTER OF DEFENSE: Although Joy's statistics are impressive, she credits her defense for much of her success.

"Our defense is just unbelievable," Joy said. "I don't have to worry about giving up a hit because they're going to get it."

Ambridge coach Jim Huwar said: "One of her attributes is she's so dedicated, but she's also a perfectionist. Plus, it seems like she doesn't ever lose her control mentally."

Joy has a 4.03 grade point average.

FAMILIAR FOE: Ambridge will play Ellwood City for the championship at 3 p.m. today at California University. The teams split two games this season, and both scores were 1-0. Ellwood City also has an outstanding pitcher in Kaitlyn Schuster. "It definitely has turned into a rivalry," Joy said. "Since the playoffs started, we talked about when we would see Ellwood again. "

-- By Mike White