Sharpsville's Montone to Westminster; Laeng wins bronze medal in Dayton

July 03, 2008 05:28 pm

— One of Sharpsville High’s most versatile athletes will continue her education and cage career at Westminster College.
Emily Montone, who earned 12 varsity athletic letters during her scholastic stint, is receiving $64,000 in academic scholarships from Westminster and will play basketball for the Lady Titans of coach Rosanne Scott.
While compiling a 3.85 academic grade-point-average and being named to Sharpsville’s chapter of the National Honor Society, Montone sandwiched competing in cross country in the autumn and track & field in the spring with her hardwood exploits during the winter.
Serving as Sharpsville’s captain for 3 years she was part of teams that posted an aggregate 70-33 overall (35-5 District 10 Region 1-AA) record. Montone amassed 842 points — owing in part to 86 triples — 398 assists and 266 steals.
“Emily has had an amazing four years at Sharpsville,” Blue Darlings’ cage coach Jeff Hanley wrote. “She has started every single game (103) at the point-guard position and assisted in elevating the Sharpsville girls basketball program to the playoffs all four years.
“There are a few things I always mention to others about Emily,” Hanley continued via e-mail to The Herald. “How competitive she is — she always wants to win, whether it’s a game, practice or drills, she wants to win; how hard she works — she has never taken a day off (never missing a cross country meet in 4 years) — how quick she is, and what a fantastic defensive player.
“Over the years I have asked her to do so much,” Hanley related. “Not only did she have to guard the opponent’s best offensive guard, but she also had to bring the ball down the court, get us into our offense, get the ball back and score. She gave 100 percent all the time and wanted the team to succeed, and her four years at Sharpsville were filled with success. I know that will translate at the collegiate level. She’ll actually be able to play more of her game on the bigger court, run up and down a bit more than we were able to do in high school.” 
Montone received the Susan B. Anthony Academic and Leadership Award and was a member of both the Penn Service and Natural Helpers clubs. In addition to being a 4-year letterwinner in all 3 sports, Montone made 1st Team D-10 All-Region as a basketball senior in 2007-08, was a 2-time All-Region 2nd-Team selection in cross country (as well as 3-time team MVP and 2-time captain), and was part of a pair of track & field school standards (800-meter run, 4x1 relay), twice captaining those clubs. She was a 4-time D-10 Championships competitor in both cross country and track, also.
“I can’t thank her enough for everything,” Hanley related, “and I wish her well at Westminster. Westminster is not only getting a great athlete, but an excellent student and person. I’m looking forward to watching her play over the next four years.”
ä West Middlesex resident Jennie Laeng won the bronze medal during the 2008 USA Level 9 gymnastics championships in Dayton, Ohio this past spring.
The 13-year-old placed 3rd all-around at the eastern nationals by finishing in all four events, including vaulting (9.15), balance beam (9.35), floor exercises (9.45) and uneven bars (9.55).
In addition, she was part of the nationals’ gold medal-winning Region 5 team, encompassing Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Kentucky.
A daughter of Jack and Joni Laeng and rising 8th-grader at Notre Dame School, Hermitage, Jennie has been training for 7 years — approximately 22 hours per week — at Olympic Dreams Gymnastics, Liberty, Ohio.
“Although most sports have seasons, gymnastics is a year-round commitment for athletes at the upper levels,” Jennie’s father wrote to The Herald. “Gymnastics requires incredible strength and flexibility ...
“This August the Beijing Olympics will be held, with gymnastics being one of the most popular sports to watch, and it all begins with small-town athletes to watch — like Jennie,” the elder Laeng wrote.

Ed Farrell is assistant sports editor for The Herald

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