News

by: Don Rebel

The streak continues for North Allegheny as the Tigers have captured their 21st Sports Cup in the highest classification in the 21 years of the competition’s existence.

The Tigers are now a perfect 8 for 8 in Class 6A Trib Cups.

“It never gets old winning the Cup,” North Allegheny athletic director Bob Bozzuto said. “Each year is new with a new group of seniors. We enjoy watching them compete and continue the tradition of excellence. We never take winning for granted.”

The dynasty continued as NA once again crushed the competition in Class 6A to win the 2023-2024 Trib Cup by nearly tripling the score of runner-up Mt. Lebanon.

The Trib Cup is a yearlong competition in 25 team sports to determine the top WPIAL sports program in each classification. It awards points for section or conference championships, district and state playoff spots and district and state gold or silver.

North Allegheny sports programs earned points in an amazing 24 of the 25 sports in the competition while Mt. Lebanon scored points in 17 sports, the second-highest behind NA.

“The Cup has been awarded to us each year since year one and our goal is to keep it right here,” Bozzuto said. “We have many talented schools in Western Pa., and we know others want to earn the Cup. Our focus is to build upon the foundation established many years ago and continue the winning ways.”

The Tigers enjoyed WPIAL championship runs in nine sports, including football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls swimming, baseball, boys tennis and girls track.

North Allegheny also claimed PIAA titles in girls volleyball, girls cross country and girls swimming.

“I always say my favorite championship is the next one, but watching the girls volleyball team win their seventh consecutive state championship was an amazing accomplishment,” Bozzuto said. “The hard work demonstrated by team members and staff since the first day of fall sports last year was an amazing feat. Our team was not the best team in the state last August, but by the end of the season, there was no doubt which team was the best.

“Also, watching our girls cross country team win its fourth straight PIAA title by overcoming injuries and watching the team jell as a tightly knit group. Coach (John) Neff and coach (Russ) Hoburg and staff do a wonderful job with our student-athletes.”

Mt. Lebanon tasted gold in boys and girls lacrosse and finished in second place behind North Allegheny for the third straight year.

Rounding out the Top 5 were Norwin in third place, Seneca Valley in fourth and the combination of Central Catholic/Oakland Catholic in fifth place.