Excellence in High School Athletic Communication Recognized at Point Park University's Annual Myron Cope Awards Thursday, March 26, 2026
"I was so impressed by this year's submissions. Each entry reflects the outstanding work high school students are doing every day."
The School of Communication teamed up with Myron Cope's family to host the third annual Myron Cope High School Athletic Communication Awards on March 15 at the Pittsburgh Playhouse. This year's event saw an impressive turnout with 22 schools submitting 134 entries. Plus, any student who won a Myron Cope Award becomes eligible for a $1,000 scholarship if they enroll at Point Park University.
Faculty who judged the entries included:
- Bernie Ankney, School of Communication dean
- Thom Baggerman, professor of broadcast journalism and chair of faculty
- Robin Cecala, professor of broadcast production
- Angelo Gargaro, part-time instructor and managing director of the University Advising Center and Student Conduct
- Jenna Lo Castro, associate professor of public relations, advertising and social media and director of graduate programs
- Chris Rolinson, professor of digital journalism and media arts program coordinator
During the Cope Awards, Myron's daughter, Elizabeth Cope, shared stories about her father's legacy. Students then heard first-hand about careers in sports communication from Jenna Harner, sports director at WPXI, and Mike DeFabo, the Steelers beat writer for The Athletic.
The awards were led by Andrew Stockey, WTAE's sports director and anchor, who served as emcee to announce the winners.
2026 Cope Award Winners
Sports Segment in the Field
- First place: Gabrielle Cunningham of Greater Latrobe Senior High School
- Second place: Addy Kall of Peters Township High School
- Third place: Nina Scalise of Greater Latrobe Senior High School
Sports Segment in the Studio
- First place: Jacob Kaufmann of Butler Area Senior High School
- Second place: Nicholas Santore of Connellsville Area High School
Best High School Sports Broadcast Show
- First place: Rowdy Red Zone, Peters Township High School
- Second place: Greater Latrobe Senior High School
- Third place: The Lion's Den, Altoona Area High School
Best Broadcast of Live Sports
- First place: Butler Tornado Television of Butler Area Senior High School
- Second place: Jesse Saunders of Avella Area High School
- Third place: Ronan Young of Mt. Lebanon High School
Play-by-Play Announcer of the Year
- First place: Grant Kalich of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School
- Second place: Jacob Kauffmann of Butler Area Senior High School
- Third place: Nicholas Santore of Connellsville Area High School
Sports Broadcaster of the Year: Jaida Dicks of Loyalsock Township High School
Best Individual Social Media Account: Ronan Young of Mt. Lebanon High School
Best High School Social Media Account: @rvpantherathletics, River Valley High School
Best Sports Photography
- First place: Ethan Green of Baldwin-Whitehall School District
- Second place: Zach Schrader of Trinity Area High School
- Third place: Kamryn White of Moon Area High School
Best Sports Podcast
- First place: Season Strategy, Greater Latrobe Senior High School
- Second place: TSPN, Tyrone Area High School
- Third place: Alumni All-Stars, Greater Latrobe Senior High School
Best High School News Sport Section
- First place: The Purbalite, Baldwin-Whitehall School District
- Second place: FHS Press, Freedom Area School District
- Third place: The Mountain Echo, Altoona Area High School
Best Journalist for High School Newspaper
- First place: Annabelle Aquino of Penn-Trafford High School
- Second place: Nina Scalise of Greater Latrobe Senior High School
- Third place: Michael Makay of Norwin High School
High School Sports Journalist of the Year
- First place: Nico Macurak, Baldwin-Whitehall School District
- Second place: Brayden Parson, Tyrone Area High School
- Third place (tie): Max Galentine of Baldwin-Whitehall School District and Alexander Micon of Freedom Area School District
Multimedia Journalist of the Year
- First place: Colton Blank of Freedom Area School District
- Second place: Nina Scalise of Greater Latrobe Senior High School
Congratulations to all of the recipients! More information about the 2027 Myron Cope Awards will be coming soon.