Top Saucon swimmers Tommy and Caroline Madigan are recognized at the school board meeting by Athletic Director Bob Frey (right), as Supt. Dr. Monica McHale-Small and school board President Michael Karabin look on.
Swimmers Tommy and Caroline Madigan, the 2016 Saucon Valley Wrestling Team, Head Wrestling Coach Chad Shirk and former Head Football Coach Matt Evancho were all recognized at Tuesday night’s Saucon Valley School Board meeting.
Tommy Madigan was a 2016 PIAA state swimming qualifier in the 200 IM, and his older sister Caroline Madigan, a senior who has had an outstanding career at Saucon, was the 2016 District XI AA Breaststroke Champion as well as a PIAA state swimming qualifier.
Caroline finished her high school career ranked ninth in the state and plans to continue swimming competitively at the collegiate level, Saucon Valley Athletic Director Bob Frey said.
Ranked second in her class, Caroline will attend Carnegie-Mellon University in the fall.
Although not all members were present, the 2016 Saucon Valley Wrestling Team was also recognized for a very impressive season which included the following accomplishments:
A handful of Saucon wrestlers were on hand for the awards ceremony.
- 2016 Colonial League Championship
- 2016 District XI AA Championship
- 2016 PIAA State AA silver medalists
- Jack Hill – 2016 District XI AA Champion (120)
- Jonah Zych – 2016 District XI AA Champion (126)
- Nathan Harka – 2016 District XI AA Champion (152)
- Devin Fontanez – 2016 District XI AA Champion (220)
Head Wrestling Coach Chad Shirk was recognized for being named the Coach of the Year by the District XI Coaches Association, the Express-Times and the Morning Call newspapers. Shirk was not present as he was attending an FBLA event with students.
Last but not least, Saucon’s former head football coach, Matt Evancho, was presented with the U.S. Marine Corps Semper Fi Coach Award, which is bestowed upon coaches who exemplify the Marine Corps motto, Semper Fi, or “Always Faithful.”
“His character and action speak louder than a state championship,” a local representative for the U.S. Marines said, noting that Evancho said he most enjoyed helping his players develop as both athletes and young men.
“I view each player as my own son,” he said.
During his nine years leading the Saucon Valley football team, Evancho compiled a 61-43 record which culminated with the team’s 2015 District XI championship and advancement to the PIAA AAA state semifinals; a first in the program’s history.
Saucon Valley football coach Matt Evancho accepts the U.S. Marine Corps Semper Fi Coach Award at the April 12, 2016 Saucon Valley School Board meeting, during a standing ovation.
