Super Hero 5K Benefits Hospice of the Sacred Heart

Posted on October 2, 2019 by The Dunmorean

Hospice check

Hospice of the Sacred Heart recently received proceeds in the amount of $3,725 from the MWS Race Team Super Hero 5K & Kids Event in Montrose. The annual event is held in memory of Matthew Waldron Stahl, an eight-year-old boy who died in Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

Shown from left: Diane Baldi, CEO, Hospice of the Sacred Heart, Michayla Stahl, Matthew’s sister, Amanda Pace, Matthew’s cousin and Event Coordinator, Rachel Stahl, Matthew’s mother and MWS Race Team President, Jack Stahl, Matthew’s brother and John Stahl, Matthew’s father and MWS Race Team Treasurer.

Badyrka Comes Back From Injury to Excel in Two Sports

Posted on October 2, 2019 by The Dunmorean

By Steve Svetovich

The poised kicker lined up for a field goal attempt to win a game, just minutes after missing an attempt to tie it, and he drilled it through the uprights.

Junior kicker Peyton Badyrka hit on a 21-yard field goal with 4.9 seconds left to win the game for the Dunmore Bucks, 13-12, handing No. 4 ranked Old Forge its first loss of the season Friday, September 27, at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

It was Badyrka’s second 21-yard field goal in the contest and came after Dunmore quarterback Steve Borgia led the Bucks on a 61-yard drive on 11 plays to set up the game winner.

“The winning kick felt pretty good,” he said. “My teammates were jumping up and down. It was just a great feeling.”

His missed attempt came with 9:31 left in the game when Old Forge’s Tyler Carey blocked the kick to preserve a 6-3 lead for the Blue Devils.

“You can’t worry about the previous kick or the next kick won’t be good,” Badyrka said. “You have to put it in the past and focus on the kick you are attempting in the moment.”

Badyrka has made four field goals in five tries this season for Dunmore. He has not missed an extra point kick in 25 tries. His longest field goal is 38 yards against Mid Valley. He made his only field goal attempt, for 32 yards in the state playoffs against West Catholic, last season.

Son of Daniel and Johanna Badyrka, Peyton is an honor student at Dunmore. His best subject is computers. He is a member of the French Club, Earth Club and Engineering Club.

soccer Peyton also excels as a three-year member of the soccer team at Dunmore. He plays at the center midfield position. He was All League as a freshman member of the soccer team.

“I love soccer too. It is a great sport.”

Peyton suffered a torn ligament to his right knee and missed most of his sophomore soccer season. He worked hard to recuperate. “I had knee surgery and then it took three months of physical therapy and then another two months in the spring,” he said. “It was a lot of hard work and physical therapy. I wanted to get back on the field and I did for the state playoff football game against West Catholic where I was able to kick a field goal.”

Peyton said he wanted to be a kicker ever since he started watching Justin Yoon of Notre Dame. “My dad and I are huge Notre Dame fans. I started watching the kicker, Justin Yoon, and I wanted to be just like him.”

The scholar-athlete said he has learned a lot from his parents. “They tell me if you want to be good then keep working. Hard work will always pay off.”

Dunmore head football coach Kevin McHale has also been a big influence on the confident kicker. “He tells us to work hard every single day and be more willing than the other team to win.”

Peyton talked about what it takes to be a good kicker in high school. “You need to focus on the kick. You need to tune everything out. You need to forget about a previous miss and completely block it out. Just focus on making the kick.”

Peyton said he enjoys listening to rap music and would like to see Lil-Uzi-Vert in concert.

The hard working kicker/soccer standout said he wants to study computer design/programming in college and play either soccer or football as a kicker.

Peyton said he and his teammates still get to see former Dunmore football coach Jack Henzes in the locker room after every game. “It is awesome seeing him, especially after a win. He looks great. He is doing much better.”

Peyton talked about his future goals. “I want to continue working hard here at Dunmore and go to a college in California to study computers and play a sport, either soccer or football, and keep getting better at it.”

Holy Cross Runner Takes Second in Foundation Race

Posted on October 2, 2019 by The Dunmorean

By Steve Svetovich

Holy Cross senior Andrew Healey has spent the past four years excelling in cross country, track and in the class room.

Most recently, the cross country standout won a league meet and then finished in second place in the PIAA Foundation Class 1A race Saturday, September 21, at Hershey’s Parkview Course. He was only three seconds behind the winner.

Son of Chris and Maura Healey, Andrew said he knew the Foundation race would be fast and competitive. “There were a lot of good kids in the field,” he said. “I just tried to stay up front and towards the end it was me and the two kids from Penns Valley near the front.

“Going up the last hill I just tried my hardest to push out ahead but ended up getting caught. It was a good effort. The race gave me a lot of confidence.”

Andrew said he has been running cross country for six years, counting two seasons in junior high school. He won medals in state competition for cross country as a sophomore and junior.

He is also a four-year member of the Holy Cross track and field team where he runs the 3200 and 1600. He was a district champion as a freshman and sophomore in the 3200 and as a sophomore and junior in the 1600. He earned medals in state competition in the 3200 as a sophomore and junior.

Andrew more than excels in the class room. He has a highly impressive 4.2 academic average. His best and favorite subject is history.

He is a member of Student Council, the History Club and the Foreign Languages Club at Holy Cross.

The scholar-athlete said he is undecided about a college or major, but knows he wants to be a cross country and track runner at a higher level beyond high school.

His cross country and track coach at Holy Cross is Alex Hugley.

“He pushes us very hard in both sports,” said Andrew. “He knows we have to work very hard and do our best to be good.”

Humble and polite in nature, Andrew said his parents taught him a lot. “My parents teach me how important it is to be a part of a team. They encourage me to be a team player. They tell me to do it for the team.”

Andrew talked about what it takes to excel in cross country and track on the high school level. “It’s all about working hard, being consistent and having the dedication to succeed. It works that way in both sports.”

The talented runner compared that type of dedication to what it takes to excel in the class room. “What it takes in school is very similar to what you need to succeed as a runner,” he said. “You have to put the time and effort in.”

Well versed, Andrew said he enjoys music and would like to see the rapper Drake in concert.

He is thoroughly enjoying his experience at Holy Cross as his senior year progresses.

“I love it here. Holy Cross is a small school, but that gives it a closer atmosphere. You know all the students and teachers. It is a very supportive environment. It’s great.”