The transition from fall to winter sports wound up being a rewarding time for Scranton Prep’s Ivan Balavage, a senior from Avoca.

Balavage found out he was named to the Pennsylvania Sports Writers Class 3A All-State Team as a linebacker just days after reaching a milestone on the wrestling mat.

In his first major competition of the wrestling season, Balavage won his second straight Lackawanna League Tournament title, picking up his 100th win along the way.

Having won at 195 pounds last season, Balavage posted his 100th win with a pin of Montrose’s Justin Kelly in 1:17 of the 220-pound semifinals. He pinned Honesdale’s John Kuhns-Miller in 26 seconds in the final, completing a tournament in which he needed just 4:16 to finish off three opponents, and improving his season record to 8-1.

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While also playing fullback for Scranton Prep’s Lackawanna Football Conference Division 2 and District 2 Class 3A champions, Balavage averaged more than 10 tackles per game. He went over 100 tackles for the second straight season while helping the Cavaliers take a 13-0 record into the state quarterfinals.

MORE FOOTBALL

Brendan Mozeleski from Old Forge was selected as a Class A all-state running back.

Mozeleski ran for more than 2,000 yards this season while becoming the school’s all-time leader in career rushing yards. He helped the Blue Devils to District 2 and District 1-2 Subregional Class A titles as well as a second-place finish in Division 3 of the LFC.

GIRLS SOCCER

Wyoming Area junior forward Aleah Kranson was named as a first-team Times Leader all-star.

Kranson led Wyoming Valley Conference Division 2 scorers with 43 goals and 24 assists. She led the Lady Warriors to a 13-3 record and a tie for second place in the division.

Wyoming Area’s Erica Gallagher and Abby Yatsko were named to the second team, along with Holy Redeemer’s Annie Bagnall, who lives in the Wyoming Area School District.

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY

Pittston Area sophomore Nicole Zambetti has been selected a first-team Times Leader all-star.

Zambetti finished fifth in the Wyoming Valley Conference Meet, placed seventh in the District 2-4 Class 3A Subregional, qualified for the state meet and led the Lady Patriots to a 14-4 league record.

Scranton Prep’s Ivan Balavage (No. 44), an Avoca resident, has been named to the All-State football team.
https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/web1_Dallas-PrepFB_4-CMYK.jpgScranton Prep’s Ivan Balavage (No. 44), an Avoca resident, has been named to the All-State football team. Bill Tarutis file photo | For Sunday Dispatch

By Tom Robinson

For Sunday Dispatch

Reach the Sunday Dispatch newsroom at 570-704-3982 or by email at sd@psdispatch.com.