Grieco, a member of the Fightin’ Planets Boys Varsity Lacrosse Team scored eight goals in the team’s 17-9 victory over the Upper St. Clair Panthers on April 5. He assisted on two additional goals.
To cast a vote for Grieco, visit https://highschool.athlonsports.com/pennsylvania/2024/04/08/vote-who-should-be-sblive-pennsylvanias-high-school-athlete-of-the-week-04-08-2024. Voting ends at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, April 14.
2022-2023
2023 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Boys Varsity Lacrosse Player of the Year
Grieco helped lead Fightin’ Planets to win the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Varsity Lacrosse Championship Title, its seventh consecutive WPIAL title, and to second place in the 2023 PIAA Class 2A Boys Varsity Lacrosse Championships. The Planets ended the regular season with an overall record of 16-2 and went undefeated (10-0) in section, earning the 2023 Section 2-2A title.
This season, Grieco scored 113 goals and had 42 assists. An All-American attacker, he is a Penn State recruit.
For more information, visit www.post-gazette.com.
Lacrosse Team Members Named Among Top Players
Several members of Mars Area High School Boys and Girls Varsity Lacrosse Teams were named among the best players in the region.
On the boys team, seniors Enzo Grieco and Jack McKenzie were named USA Lacrosse All-Americans.
Class of 2023 graduates Jack Dunham, Evan Frye, Jonathan Grieco and Kyle McEwen and seniors Enzo Grieco, Jack McKenzie and Cole Yoshioka were selected for the All-WPIAL Class 2A Team.
2023 graduates Jack Dunham, Ian Edinger, Evan Frye and Jonathan Grieco and seniors Enzo Grieco, Jack McKenzie and Cole Yoshioka were named to the All-Section 2-2A Team.
This season, the Fightin’ Planets took second place in the 2023 PIAA Class 2A Boys Varsity Lacrosse Championships; first place in the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Varsity Lacrosse Championship; and earned the Section 2-2A title.
On the girls team, Class of 2023 graduate Charlotte Stamper and senior Mya Cote were selected for the All-WPIAL Class 2A Team. Class of 2023 graduate Charlotte Stamper and seniors Mya Cote and McKenna Merritt were named to the Section 2-2A Team.
This season, the Lady Planets advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2023 PIAA Class 2A Girls Varsity Lacrosse Championships, after winning the WPIAL Class 2A Championship Title. The team ended the regular season with an overall record of 17-1 and 11-0 in section play and earned the Section 2-2A title.
For more information, call (724) 625-9380.
2022-2023
2023 PIAA Class 2A Boys Varsity Lacrosse Championships
Mars Area High School Boys Varsity Lacrosse Team advanced to the final game of the 2023 PIAA Class 2A Boys Varsity Lacrosse Championships on June 17, but was defeated 11-10 by the Marple Newtown Tigers.
The Fightin’ Planets overpowered the Lampeter-Strasburg Pioneers 11-7 in the PIAA Semifinals on June 13; whomped the Susquehannock Warriors 10-5 in the PIAA Quarterfinals on June 10; and, topped the Trinity Hillers 16-1 in the first round of PIAA play on June 6.
The team advanced to the state playoffs after taming the South Fayette Lions 16-7 in the final game of the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Varsity Lacrosse Championship on May 24 and earning the team’s seventh consecutive WPIAL Title. The team triumphed over the Hampton Talbots 18-4 in the WPIAL Semifinals on May 22; and trounced the Moon Area Tigers 17-1 in the WPIAL Quarterfinals on May 17.
The Planets ended the regular season with an overall record of 16-2 and went undefeated (10-0) in section, earning the 2023 Section 2-2A title.
Players on this year’s team included seniors Jack Dunham and Kyle McEwen and junior Vincenzo Grieco, each of whom surpassed 100 career points scored this season.
Rounding out the team are seniors Ian Edinger, Evan Frye, Jacob Goul, Jonathan Grieco and Leo Saver; juniors Gael Avalos, Ryan Blake, Ben Bowser, Domenic Caldwell, Dom Christifano, Cole Dermitt, Conner Hartle, Jack McKenzie, Dylan Phillips and Cole Yoshioka sophomores Sean Brennan, Hudson Choffel, Ian Coulter, Jackson Garr, Sam Joliat, Jack Mueller, Patrick Maestra, Ryan McGee, Sean Muchnok, Luke Spreng and Carson Tomcik and Logan Truitt; and, freshmen Mike Duffy, Rowan Farnham, Carter Gallagher, Ryan Kelly, Chase Lamm, Connor Long, David Renner, Henry Saver, Jack Tirch, Ethan Vactor, Grant Weaver, Jack Weaver and Josh Wilburn.
For more information, visit www.piaa.org.
2023 Western Pennsylvania Positive Athlete “Most Positive” Coach
Abby Latona, head coach of Mars Area High School Girls Varsity Lacrosse Team was named a 2023 Western Pennsylvania Positive Athlete “Most Positive” Coach.
The award recognizes student-athletes and coaches for excellence on and off the field as well as for maintaining an optimistic attitude; leadership and encouragement of others, a team mindset, and giving 100 percent all of the time.
This season, Latona led the Lady Planets to the quarterfinals of the 2023 PIAA Class 2A Girls Varsity Lacrosse Championships as well as to earn the 2023 WPIAL Championship Title. The team ended the regular season with an overall record of 17-1 and 11-0 in section play, earning the Section 2-2A title.
For details, visit www.positiveathlete.org/westernpa.
2023 PIAA Class 2A Girls Varsity Lacrosse Championships
Mars Area High School Girls Varsity Lacrosse Team advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2023 PIAA Class 2A Girls Varsity Lacrosse Championships on June 10, but were defeated 10-6 by the Bishop Shanahan Eagles.
The Lady Planets grounded the Lower Dauphin Falcons 18-9 in the first round of the PIAA playoffs on June 6. The team tamed the Blackhawk Cougars 10-9 in the final game of the 2023 WPIAL Class 2A Girls Varsity Lacrosse Championship Title on May 24 and earned the WPIAL Title.
The team broke the Chartiers Valley Colts 10-7 in the WPIAL Semifinals on May 22; and defeated the Franklin Regional Panthers 17-6 in the WPIAL Quarterfinals on May 18. The Planets ended the regular season with an overall record of 17-1 and 11-0 in section play, earning the Section 2-2A title.
Players on this year’s team include senior Charlotte Stamper, who scored her 200th career goal in the 2023 WPIAL Final, and juniors Mya Cote and McKenna Merritt, each of whom earned her 100th career point earlier this season. Cote was also named a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Athlete of the Week
Other team members included seniors Katie Ford, Emma Grell, Ainsley McGee, Jessica McNulty, Amber O’Neil, Carly Radomski, Sarah Teamann and Alexis Whitworth; juniors Anna Bowser, Sophia Bucknum, Sophia Darocy, Ava Day, Kennedy Kolson, Kaitlyn Lawless and Claire Magness; sophomores Mackenzie Aufderheide, Breanna Goerl, Ellie Koma, Sarah Maloney, Charlotte Paugh, Ella Roach, Brooke Southwell, Victoria Symchak, Tess Tacik, Addisyn Vavala and Meagan Williams; and, freshmen Anna McGrath, Tess McGrath, Madalyn Osterman and Lydia Tomkovicz.
For more information, visit www.piaa.org.
Senior Score 200th Career Goal
Stamper (midfielder) achieved the milestone on May 24 during the final game of the 2023 WPIAL Class 2A Girls Varsity Lacrosse Championship at which the Lady Planets defeated the Blackhawk Cougars 10-9 in overtime and earned the 2023 WPIAL Title. She reached 200 goals in only three seasons, as the team’s 2020 season was cancelled because of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
For more information, call (724) 625-9380.
2023 WPIAL Class 2A Varsity Lacrosse Champions
Mars Area High School Boys and Girls Varsity Lacrosse Teams took first place the 2023 WPIAL Class 2A Boys and Girls Varsity Lacrosse Championships, respectively, on May 24.
The Fightin’ Planets triumphed over the South Fayette Lions 16-7 in the WPIAL Final, earning the team’s seventh consecutive Championship Title. The team trounced the Hampton Talbots 18-4 in the WPIAL Semifinals on May 22; and tamed the Moon Area Tigers 17-1 in the WPIAL Quarterfinals on May 17.
The Lady Planets came back from a five-point deficit to defeat the Blackhawk Cougars 10-9 in overtime to take the WPIAL Championship Title. The team broke the Chartiers Valley Colts 10-7 in the WPIAL Semifinals on May 22; and defeated the Franklin Regional Panthers 17-6 in the WPIAL Quarterfinals on May 18.
Both teams will advance to the first round of their respective 2023 PIAA Class 2A Varsity Lacrosse Championships on Tuesday, June 6. For details, visit www.piaa.org.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Athlete of the Week
Mars Area High School junior 
Cote, a member of Mars Area High School Girls Varsity Lacrosse Team, scored 5 goals and had 2 assists in the Lady Planets 21-4 defeat of the North Catholic Trojans on April 18. The win brought the team’s season record to 10-0.
This season, Cote has amassed 39 goals and 11 assists, bringing her career tally to 126 goals and 31 assists. In 2022, Cote was selected for the All-WPIAL (Class 2A) Team.
For more information, visit https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/high-school-athlete-of-the-week/2023/04/24/post-gazette-athletes-of-the-week-jake-strnisa-mars-mya-cote-lacrosse/stories/202304240040.
Junior Score 100th Career Goal
Merritt scored had three goals and three assists in the team’s 17-4 defeat of the Lions. She also earned her 150th career point at the game.
Also of note, Merritt had her 50th assist at the Lady Planets 18-8 win over the Chartiers Valley on April 11. She scored five goals in the match-up.
For more information, call (724) 625-9380.
Lacrosse Players Reach 100-Point Career Milestone
Senior Charlotte Stamper earned her 150th goal at the Lady Planets’ game against Blackhawk on April 4. Stamper scored three goals in the team’s 11-8 defeat of the Cougars.
Senior Jack Dunham scored his 100th career goal in the Fightin’ Planets’ 21-2 win over the Knoch Knights on April 5. Dunham scored a hat trick, with his third goal hitting the 100 mark.
Senior Kyle McEwen achieved his 100th career point in the Fightin’ Planets shutout (18-0) win over the Freeport Yellowjackets on April 10. McEwen scored nine goals in the team’s 18 goals.
For more information, call (724) 625-9380.
Lacrosse Players Reach 100-Point Career Milestone
Junior Enzo Grieco reached the 100-point milestone with his first goal in the Fightin’ Planets game against Fox Chapel on March 27. Grieco scored an additional three goals and had two assists in the team’s 14-3 defeat of the Foxes.
Junior Mya Cote, scored her 100th goal in the Lady Planets game against Knoch on March 30. Cote scored a total of four goals and had three assists in the team’s 19-2 victory over the Knights.
For more information, call (724) 625-9380.
2022 National Federation of State High School Associations
Section 2 Lacrosse Coach of the Year
Section 2, or the Mideast Section, encompasses NFHS associations in Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington D.C. and West Virginia. Marcoux was previously named as the 2022 NFHS Pennsylvania Boys Lacrosse Coach of the Year.
Marcoux was selected for the honor based upon his coaching impact as well as the success of the Boys’ Lacrosse program during the 2021-2022 School Year.
The Fightin’ Planets won the 2022 PIAA Class 2A Boys Varsity Lacrosse Championship, becoming the first WPIAL District 7 boys lacrosse team to earn a PIAA title. The team also won its sixth consecutive WPIAL title as well as 2022 Section 2-2A title.
Marcoux has served as the Fightin’ Planets head coach since 2017; as an assistant and JV coach in 2015 and 2016; and began as a volunteer assistant in the program’s second year (2014). He has led the team to win six consecutive WPIAL titles and to the PIAA playoffs in four of the last five years.
For more information, call (724) 625-9380.
NFHS Pennsylvania Boys Lacrosse Coach of the Year.
Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association has named Mars Area High School Boys Varsity Lacrosse Team head coach Bob Marcoux as the 2022 National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)/Pennsylvania Boys Lacrosse Coach of the Year.
Marcoux was selected for the honor based upon his coaching impact as well as the success of the Boys’ Lacrosse program during the 2021-2022 School Year, says Jennifer Grassel, PIAA assistant executive director.
In 2022, the Fightin’ Planets won the PIAA Class 2A Boys Varsity Lacrosse Championship, becoming the first WPIAL District 7 boys lacrosse team to earn a PIAA title. The team also won its sixth consecutive WPIAL title as well as 2022 Section 2-2A title.
Marcoux has served as the Fightin’ Planets head coach since 2017; as an assistant and JV coach in 2015 and 2016; and began as a volunteer assistant in the program’s second year (2014). He has led the team to win six consecutive WPIAL titles and to the PIAA playoffs in four of the last five years
For more information, call (724) 625-9380.
2022-2023
Post-Gazette Names Teams of the Year
Mars Area High School Girls Varsity Soccer Team and Boys Varsity Lacrosse teams were selected at the 2021-2022 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Teams of the Year.
This season, the Girls Varsity Soccer Team earned their third consecutive PIAA and WPIAL Class 3A titles as well as the Section 4-3A title. In the last three seasons, the Lady Planets have remained undefeated and amassed an overall record of 63-0-2.
Players on the 2021-2022 team were Class of 2022 graduates Megan Boddy, Alyson Cooper (captain), Leana Cuzzocrea (captain) and Jordan Esswein; incoming seniors Piper Coffield (captain), Reese Dunaway, Piper Empey, Julia Gagnon, Brooke Hamlett, Gwen Howell (captain), Ava Lewis and Eva Ranali, Olivia Wilson and Madeline Wolf; incoming juniors Kayleigh Clark, Addison Girdwood, Lillian Goodworth, Katherine McEnroe, Brooke Nihoff, Rosalina Pellegrino, Ainsley Ray and Lillian Wolf; and, incoming sophomores Julia Lishia, Natasha Narasimhan, Ella Pierce, Brynn Ramsey, Meredith Ashbaugh, Adeline Rocco, Jenna Caringola, Sadie Stewart, Morgan Duker, Alexa Werner, Breanna Goerl, Meagan Williams and Madisyn Hickinbottom.
The Boys Varsity Lacrosse Team became the first WPIAL District 7 boys lacrosse team to earn a PIAA title. The Fightin’ Planets’ won the 2022 PIAA Title, after earning its sixth consecutive WPIAL title as well as the 2022 Section 2-2A title.
The team’s head coach, Bob Marcoux, and assistant coach, Kyle Savage, were named the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Lacrosse Coach and Assistant Coach of the Year, respectively.
Players on this year’s team included Class of 2022 graduates Luke Amell, Jacob Caringola, Austin Cote, Quinn Fuller, Tucker Kush, Aidan Moffa, Wes Scurci, Joshua Seipp and Nathan Silsby; incoming seniors Jack Dunham, Ian Edinger, Evan Frye, Jonathan Grieco, Jacob Goul, Kyle McEwen and Leo Saver; incoming juniors Ryan Blake, Cole Dermitt, Vincenzo Grieco, Connor Hartle, Jack McKenzie, Dylan Phillips and Cole Yoshioka; and, incoming sophomores Benjamin Bowser, Sean Brennan, Domenic Caldwell, Hudson Choffel, Ian Coulter, Evan Frye, Jackson Garr, Jack Mueller, Logan Truitt, Patrick Maestra, Ryan McGee, Sean Muchnok, Logan O’Brien, Luca Ruete, Luke Spreng and Carson Tomcik.
For more information, visit www.post-gazette.com.
PIAA Class 2A Boys Varsity Lacrosse Championship
Mars Area High School Boys Varsity Lacrosse Team became the first WPIAL District 7 boys lacrosse team to earn a PIAA Title, with the Fightin’ Planets’ 9-6 defeat of the Marple Newtown Tigers in the final game of the PIAA Class 2A Boys Varsity Lacrosse Championship on June 11.
The team thrashed the Penncrest Lions 16-8 in the PIAA Semifinals on June 7; thwarted the Susquehannock Warriors 16-5 in the PIAA Quarterfinals on June 4; and, grounded the Cocalico Eagles 18-2 in the first round of the PIAA Class 2A Boys Varsity Lacrosse Championship on May 31.
The Planets advanced to the PIAA playoffs after defeating the Quaker Valley Quakers 19-3 in the final game of the 2022 WPIAL Class 2A Boys Varsity Lacrosse Championship on May 26 and earning the team’s sixth consecutive WPIAL title.
The team tamed the South Fayette Lions 24-2 in the WPIAL Semifinals on May 23; and toppled the Shaler Area Titans 23-2 in the WPIAL quarterfinals on May 19. The Planets ended the regular season with an overall record of 17-1 and 10-1 in section play, earning the 2022 Section 2-2A title.
For more information, visit www.piaa.org.
Boys Varsity Lacrosse Head, Assistant Coach Named Coach of the Year
Mars Area High School Boys Varsity Lacrosse Head Coach Bob Marcoux and Assistant Coach Kyle Savage were named the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Lacrosse Coach and Assistant Coach of the Year, respectively.
Marcoux served as the Fightin’ Planets head coach since 2017; as an assistant and JV coach in 2015 and 2016; and began as a volunteer assistant in the program’s second year (2014). He has led the team to win six consecutive WPIAL titles and to the PIAA playoffs in four of the last five years. Savage is in his first season as the team’s offensive coordinator.
This season, the team won the 2022 WPIAL Class 2A Championship Title and advanced to the PIAA Class 2A Boys Varsity Lacrosse Championships. Planets will take on the Penncrest Lions in the PIAA Semifinals at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 7, at Chambersburg Area Senior High School.
Also of note, Marcoux earned his 100th win as the team’s head coach with the Fightin’ Planets 18-2 playoff win over Cocalico Eagles in the first round of the PIAA playoffs on May 31.
For more information, visit www.wpial.org.
2022 PIAA Class 2A Girls Varsity Lacrosse Championship
Mars Area High School Girls Varsity Lacrosse Team advanced to the first round of the 2022 PIAA Class 2A Girls Varsity Lacrosse Championship on May 31, but was defeated 23-2 by the Twin Valley Raiders.
The Lady Planets advanced to the PIAA playoffs after taking second place in the WPIAL Class 2A Girls Varsity Lacrosse Championship, after a 17-6 loss to the Chartiers Valley Colts in the WPIAL final on May 25.
The team trounced the Hampton Talbots 13-9 in the WPIAL Semifinals on May 23; and quelled the Quaker Valley Quakers 16-6 in the WPIAL quarterfinals on May 18. The Planets ended the regular season with an overall record of 13-3 and 9-1 in Section 2-2A play.
Players of note this season include senior Kellen Fletcher, who surpassed 100 career points this season and has signed a letter of intent to play for the University of Akron; senior Lydia Toparli, who has signed a letter of intent to play for Duquesne University; junior Charlotte Stamper, who achieved 100 career points this season; and junior Ainsley McGee and sophomore McKenna Merritt and were selected to compete at the USA Lacrosse National Tournament.
Rounding out this year’s team are seniors Mackenzie Newman, Ava Santoro, Ella Seebacher and Grace Wu; juniors Katie Ford, Emma Grell, Jessica McNulty, Amber O’Neil, Carly Radomski, Sarah Teamann and Lexi Whitworth; sophomores Anna Bowser, Sophia Bucknum, Mya Cote, Ava Day, Sophia Darocy, Kennedy Kolson, Zoey Krock, Kaitlyn Lawless, Claire Magness and Brooke Southwell; and, freshmen Mackenzie Aufderheide, Kendall Bruns, Jenna Caringola, Trinity Finn, Breanna Goerl, Ellie Koma, Sarah Maloney, Charlotte Paugh, Ella Roach, Adeline Rocco, Victoria Symchak, Tessa Tacik, Addisyn Vavala and Meagan Williams.
For more information, visit www.piaa.org.
2022 WPIAL Class 2A Boys Varsity Lacrosse Player of the Year
Fuller is a four-year member of Mars Area High School Boys Varsity Lacrosse Team, leading the Fightin’ Planets in caused turnovers. This season, the team won its sixth consecutive WPIAL Class 2A Championship Title and advanced to the PIAA Class 2A Boys Varsity Lacrosse Championships.
He has signed a letter of intent to join the Dolphins Men’s Lacrosse Team at the Jacksonville University (Fla.), where he plans to major in management and minor in sports business.
In addition, seniors Austin Cote, Quinn Fuller and Wesley Scurci, were named 2022 USA Lacrosse All-Americans. Cote signed a letter of intent to join the Greyhounds Men’s Lacrosse Team at the Loyola University Maryland (Baltimore, Md.); and, Scurci signed a letter of intent to join the Lions Men’s Lacrosse Team at the Lindenwood University (Saint Charles, Mo.).
Also of note, seniors Jacob Caringola, Austin Cote, Quinn Fuller, Tucker Kush and Wesley Scurci; junior Ian Edinger; and sophomore Vincenzo Grieco and Cole Yoshioka were selected as 2022 WPIAL Class 2A All- Section players.
For more information, visit www.wpial.org.
2022 USA Lacrosse National Tournament Team
Junior Ainsley McGee and sophomore McKenna Merritt and will compete at the USA Lacrosse National Tournament, to be held May 28-29 at Cedar Lane Regional Park (Bel Air, Md.).
This season, the Planets have already clinched a playoff berth with a 7-1 record in Section 2-2A play. In 2021, the Lady Planets earned the WPIAL Class 2A Girls Varsity Lacrosse Championship Title and advanced to the quarterfinals of the PIAA Class 2A Girls Varsity Lacrosse Championships.
For more information, contact the Athletics Office at (724) 625-9380.
Junior Achieves 100th Career Point
In addition to achieving the milestone, Fletcher helped lead the team to defeat the Quakers 13-10. This season, the Planets have already clinched a playoff berth with a 7-1 record in Section 2-2A play.
In 2021, the Lady Planets earned the WPIAL Class 2A Girls Varsity Lacrosse Championship Title and advanced to the quarterfinals of the PIAA Class 2A Girls Varsity Lacrosse Championships.
For more information, contact the Athletics Office at (724) 625-9380.
Senior Achieves 100th Career Point
In addition to achieving the milestone, Fletcher helped lead the team to defeat the Trojans 19-5. This season, the Planets have already clinched a playoff berth with a 6-1 record in Section 2-2A play.
In 2021, the Lady Planets earned the WPIAL Class 2A Girls Varsity Lacrosse Championship Title and advanced to the quarterfinals of the PIAA Class 2A Girls Varsity Lacrosse Championships. And, Fletcher was selected to represent Western Pennsylvania at the 2021 Women’s National Lacrosse Tournament.
Fletcher has signed a letter of intent to join the Zips Women’s Lacrosse Team at the University of Akron (Ohio), where she plans to major in communications.
At Mars Area High School, she is a member of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), German Club, and German National Honor Society. She is also a four-year member of the School’s Varsity Swimming & Diving Team.
For more information, call (724) 625-9380.