Two local student-athletes are being recognized as the Blair County Sports Hall of Fame’s 2021 scholarship recipients.
Teresa Haigh from Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School and Zachary Mallon from Bellwood-Antis High School were each presented with a $2,000 check during a luncheon at The Casino at Lakemont Park.
Reliance Bank sponsors the scholarship program for the Hall of Fame, which has presented scholarships annually since 1988 and has now awarded a total of $122,000.
“Reliance Bank is honored to once again present the Blair County Sports Hall of Fame scholarships to two deserving individuals — Teresa Haigh and Zachary Mallon,” Reliance Bank president Chris Kirwin said. “Teresa and Zachary’s hard work, dedication and determination has led them to their success. For the past 33 years these scholarships have been awarded to student-athletes in Blair County to individuals who have left an outstanding impression academically, athletically and in their communities. Reliance Bank looks forward to continuing our support of this very worthwhile endeavor.”
Both Haigh and Mallon excelled academically and athletically during their scholastic careers. Haigh, who played volleyball and basketball for the Lady Marauders, was a four-year letter earner in each sport and ranked third in her class. Haigh was a first-team all-state player in 2020-2021 and the 1A Player of the Year for her accomplishments on the hardwood, where she was a 1,000-point scorer. She led BG to a state championship and two district championships and was the 2021 Mirror Player of the Year. Haigh was also a member of the first-team all-district volleyball team and recorded 500 kills in her career. She was an Altoona Mirror All-Star as a volleyball player. She will continue her basketball career at Seton Hill.
Away from athletics, Haigh is equally accomplished. She is a member of the National Honor Society, received the Presidents’ Education Award and was a member of the Proclaim Club and Student Council. In addition, she volunteered her time at Bishop Guilfoyle basketball camps and helped train youth basketball players in the area. Haigh is the daughter of Joe and Sherri Haigh.
Mallon excelled in three sports for the Blue Devils. He was a 10-time letter winner after being a member of the football, basketball and track and field teams. Mallon led the area in scoring and rushing yards in 2020, and he was named to the Pennsylvania Football Writers 2A All-State team. A four-year starter on the gridiron, Mallon was a three-time conference all-star. Mallon also impacted the basketball team as a three-year starter who was a two-time conference first-team all-star. He also qualified for the 2021 PIAA 2A state track meet in the long jump. He finished third in districts in that event in 2021 and also competed in districts in the 400-meter relay and triple jump during his career with the Blue Devils.
Academically, Mallon, who was accepted into the honors program at the University of Pittsburgh, posted the highest SAT score (1470) of his class. Mallon was a member of the National Honor Society in 2020 and 2021 and was the group’s president in 2021. Mallon ranked 14th in his class and volunteered for the Knights of Columbus, St. Joseph’s Church and at Bellwood’s youth basketball tournament. Mallon is the son of Timothy and Betsy Mallon.
The scholarship committee consists of Kirwin, Jim Lane, Brian Irwin, Terry Lingenfelter, Susan Fries and Hall of Fame president Neil Rudel.
“We continue to be impressed by the quality of outstanding student-athletes Blair County is producing – on the courts and fields, in the classroom and contributing community service,” Rudel said. “We especially would like to thank Chris Kirwin and Reliance Bank for their generosity.”
The Hall of Fame will hold its next induction banquet on April 9, 2022 at the Blair County Convention Center. It had been scheduled for 2020, and again in 2021, but was pushed back due to the pandemic.
The Class of 2022, which brings the total number of inductees to 100, includes: John Hayes (football), John Lingenfelter (auto racing), Eric Malone (watercraft sports), Eddie Miller (basketball) and Tawney Nardozza Schmitt (swimming).
The team inductee is the 1970 Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic boys basketball team, and Julie Roseborough, who started the Bellwood-Antis girls track program and has been coaching at B-A for 57 years, will receive the Hall’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Doug Flutie, the 1984 Heisman Trophy winner and one of the most inspirational players in football history, will serve as the evening’s featured guest speaker, and Pittsburgh sportscaster Stan Savran once again returns as banquet emcee.
Orders for tickets are currently being accepted. They cost $95 each and $950 for table of 10. Call Kathy Millward at 814-312-0151 or email [email protected].
