PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – From Moundsville to All-American.

Such is the journey of Kristin Lewicki. The John Marshall High product recently completed her junior season with the Adrian (Mich.) College hockey team.

And what a season it was.

Lewicki led the Bulldogs to a 25-3-1 record, a conference championship and a berth in the NCAA Division III Tournament. She finished just shy of leading the nation in scoring with 49 points. The gifted forward netted 32 goals to go with 17 assists.

Those 32 goals were second best in the nation while she ranked third in the country in goals per game (1.10).

The exclamation point on her amazing campaign came at the recent Frozen Four banquet. It was there that Lewicki was named a Division III hockey All-American.

“I wasn’t expecting it. I was really excited when I received the word,” Lewicki said. “It is a big accomplishment. I am humbled and proud of this recognition. It is one I could not have achieved without great coaches and great teammates.

“Our team had a great season and we made history. We had a 25-game winning streak and won our conference,” she added. “I wish it would have ended better. But we cannot be down. We just need to move on and keep working.”

Lewicki also turned in a sparkling sophomore season, scoring 12 goals and adding 25 assists while earning All-NCHA honors as a forward.

She was an instant impact performer for the Bulldogs, gaining NCHA All-Rookie honors as a freshman. She led Division III in shorthanded goals (5) while recording 14 goals and 13 assists. The former Monarch tallied three game-winning goals.

Lewicki is looking forward to her senior season with the Bulldogs.

“I think we should be real strong again next year. We only lose four players and have a great returning cast,” she offered. “If everyone stays committed and works hard, we have a chance for a very successful season.”

At John Marshall, Lewicki played on the Monarchs’ boys’ hockey team while also competing in softball and basketball all four years and two years of volleyball. She also excelled in the classroom, graduating with honors and as a member of the National Honor Society.

Lewicki is the daughter of Roger and Sue Lewicki of Moundsville.

BUBBA BITS

PICKING ALL-State teams is no easy task. The all-West Virginia hoop teams were announced recently. I was shocked when Weirton Madonna’s senior star Monica Bragg was only a second-team honoree. The West Liberty University recruit had a brilliant season, one in which she helped to carry her Blue Dons to the state tournament. Bragg was deserving of first-team all-state accolades.

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED recently released its top 100 sporting moments. Bridgeport High legend John Havlicek earned the No. 61 spot for his theft of an inbounds pass against the Philadelphia 76ers in the waning seconds Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals in 1965, preserving a Boston Celtic win. The play became historic in scope when Boston broadcaster John Most kept repeating “Havlicek stole the ball.”

PENNSYLVANIA HAS become one of 11 states to now offer a state championship in 7-on-7 football. The Keystone Sate will feature two 32-team regions. The top four teams in each region will vie for the state crown on June 30 in Cheswick.

SEVERAL LOCAL prep hoopsters earned Academic All-Ohioan honors recently. They included Union Local’s Trenton Tipton, Kaleb McDiffitt and Alli DeLaney as well as St. John Central’s Lindsey Froehlich.

WEIRTON MADONNA is in the market for a new head football coach as Doug Taylor stepped down last week.

CONGRATULATIONS TO the West Liberty University men’s basketball team on another remarkable season. Coach Jim Crutchfield’s body of work with the Hilltoppers is nothing short of amazing.

HAPPY EASTER to all our readers. We appreciate your support.

Kapral may be reached at bkapral@timesleaderonline.com