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Pioneer Pride Classic Strengthens Pioneer Spirit

Pioneer Pride Classic Strengthens Pioneer Spirit

The 2022-2023 sports season officially kicked off on Thursday, August 25, with the fifth-annual Pioneer Pride Classic.

 

collage of three pictures: cheerleaders, athletes, crowd in stadium at sunset

From the Pioneer Pride Classic: Students face the flag for the National Anthem, cheerleaders perform, and Tre Spahr emcees.

 

The 2022-2023 sports season officially kicked off on Thursday, August 25, with the fifth-annual Pioneer Pride Classic. Athletes and coaches took to Pioneer Field to reflect on 2021-2022 accomplishments and an exciting year ahead. A sellout Pioneer Strong chicken barbeque immediately preceded the event, raising money for scholarships in memory of three former L-S athletes and a fund for families faced with unforeseen circumstances.  

The Pioneer Pride Classic began promptly at 7 p.m., in time for a beautiful summer sunset. Mr. Shockey joined senior Tre Spahr to emcee the evening, introducing the marching band, cheerleaders, speakers, and teams. 

In her welcome remarks, Dr. Lippy challenged everyone to say thank you more in their day-to-day lives. Her words of wisdom: "you are never too important to be kind and thank someone." She also gave a special shout-out and thanks to Dr. Ben Feeney, who delivered some inspiring remarks of his own. 

Mr. Shockey and Tre introduced Pioneer teams, beginning with fall sports. A senior or team captain spoke on behalf of each fall team. Winter and spring teams also received recognition, as did junior high teams. 

To end the evening, senior Maggie Swarr spoke to the crowd about her experience playing sports at L-S. She focused on what it means to be a Pioneer athlete:

Persistent. 

Indispensable. 

Optimistic. 

Noted. 

Elite. 

Empathetic. 

Rich. (in talent, ability, and community)

Thanks to everyone who came out to support our teams. It's going to be a great year. Let's go, Pioneers!

 

Note: Mr. Shockey is a L-S High School social studies teacher. Dr. Lippy is the L-S athletic director. Dr. Feeney is the L-S High School principal.


2021-2022 Athletic Accomplishments and 2022-2023 Highlights

 

Fall Teams

 

Cross Country

  • Boys’ team went undefeated (11-0) for the 4th straight season, won the L-L League Section 2 Championship for the 4th straight season, and won the District III 2A Championship for the first time in school history!
  • Girls’ placed 8th at L-L League Championship meet (1st out of all 2A schools) and placed 7th at the District III Championship meet.

 

Field Hockey

  • Finished the regular season in 4th place in L-L League Section II.
  • They had 6 L-L All-Stars and 9 State and National Academic Award Winners!       
  • They will compete this year is a tough L-L Section 2 and we look forward to cheering them to victory.         

 

Football

  • L-L League Section 3 Champions and the District III Runners-Up.
  • Football team really has a new look with the addition of Berks County schools!

 

Golf

  • L-L League Section 3 Champions and a 2nd consecutive undefeated season!
  • Won the L-L League Championship, which is the 1st in school history!

 

Boys Soccer

  •  Finished the regular season in 6th place in L-L League Section 2.
  • They also had two L-L All-Stars.
  • They will compete this year is a tough L-L Section 2 and we look forward to cheering them to victory.

 

Girls Soccer 

  •  Finished the regular season 2nd in L-L League Section 2.
  •  Played in the L-L League Tournament Semifinals.
  • Leading the team this year is new head coach and L-S alum, Taylor Garraffa!

 

Girls Tennis

  • Finished #2 in L-L League Section 2.
  • Played in L-L League Team Championship Semifinals and had 1 L-L All-Star!

 

Volleyball 

  • Finished the regular season 4th in L-L League Section 2.
  • Qualified for District playoffs and had 3 L-L All-Stars!

 

 

Winter Teams

 

Boys Basketball

  • Quite an exciting season for the boys’ basketball team this past winter!
  • Finished the regular season undefeated (first time since 1959).
  • They won the L-L Section 3 Championship, League Championship, and District Championship!    

 

Girls Basketball

  • L-L League Section 4 Co-Champions.
  • They had a far, but fun trip out to Pittsburgh when they played in the PIAA State Tournament.
  •  Leading the team this year is new head coach Steve Villbrandt! 

 

Bowling

  • 3 bowlers participated in the L-L League Singles Championships.
  • Looks like we also have a great chance at competing for a Section Championship according to Coach Achille!
  • Bowling team bowls at Rocky Springs

 

Swimming

  • Both boys and girls swimming teams had swimmers qualify for the L-L League Championship Meet, District III Meet, and PIAA State Meet!
  • Zara Paisley was the 2022 L-L League Champion in the 50 Freestyle!
  • Swimmers practice and compete at the L-S YMCA

 

Wrestling

  • Several athletes competed in Sectionals and then moved on to Districts.
  • We also had 5 L-L All-Stars.

 

Spring Teams

 

Baseball

  • Section II Champions, qualified for the L-L League Tournament Semifinals and District III playoffs.
  • Six L-L League All-Stars.

 

Softball

  • L-L League Section II Champions, L-L League Runners-Up, and State qualifiers.
  • Also had five L-L All-Stars!

 

Boys Lacrosse

  • Exciting season for the boys lacrosse team this past spring..
  • Section II Champions (second year in a row).
  •  Played in the District III 2A Championship game vs. Susquehannock, which was their first ever appearance in the championship game!
  • Also played in the PIAA 2A State Semifinals against Marple Newtown, and this was the first time ever to advance this far!

 

Girls Lacrosse

  • Finished the regular season ranked #3 overall in the L-L League and qualified for the L-L League and District III playoffs once again.
  • We also had five All-Stars on the team.

 

Boys Tennis

  • Section II Champions for the first time since 2009 and also were undefeated in Section II!
  • Two L-L All-Stars.

 

Track and Field

  • The Track and Field team worked hard and had numerous athletes qualify for the League, District, and PIAA state track and field championships.