Three Teams' Student-Athletes Honored on 'Senior Night'

On Tuesday, Pennsylvania College of Technology honored graduating members of its men's and women's basketball and dance teams. Eight student-athletes were recognized and honored for dedication and hard work on their teams' behalf.

The night began with recognition of women's basketball seniors Kierstin Steer and Samantha Wallish.

Steer is a two-year member of the team and will graduate in May with an associate degree in physical fitness specialist. She leads the team in scoring this year. Wallish is a first-year member of the team and will graduate with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering technology. A member of the Army ROTC, she will enter the military in the Army Corps of Engineers.

Seniors Phillip Kaylor, Jordan McBeth, Nico Italiani and Greg Solyak were honored for men's basketball prior to the start of their game.

Kaylor is a four-year member of the team and will graduate with a building automation technology degree. This season, he has scored 89 points for the Wildcats with 64 rebounds and 60 assists in addition to being named a four-time United State Collegiate Athletic Association Academic All-American.

Jordan McBeth has played for the Wildcats for two years and will graduate with a building automation technology degree. This season, he has 63 points and is 62 percent from the charity stripe. Among his highlights, McBeth scored the winning shot against Greater Allegheny to lead the Wildcats to the playoffs in 2008.

Nico Italiani has been with the Wildcats for two seasons and will graduate with a degree in occupational therapy assistant. This season, he has scored 200 points for Penn College and leads the team in three-point field goals made with 34. Coach Gene Bruno counts him as one of the most respectful and hardest working players he has ever coached.

Greg Solyak has been a standout on the team for four years. This season, he has scored 350 points placing him at the top of the Penn College All-Time Scorer's list. He is averaging 17.5 points per game, second on the list. He will graduate in May with an automotive technology management degree.

Capping off the night, dance team seniors Taylor Biery and Adriana Glotz were honored.

Biery is from Palmerton and will be graduating with a health information technology degree. She has been a two-year member of the team and hopes to one day live in Alaska. Glotz is from Manheim and is also a two-year member of the team. She will graduate with a degree in health information technology and hopes to work in her local hospital.

Photos by Michael S. Fischer, student photographer and Jami L. Hughes, coordinator of intercollegiate athletics and sports information