May 19, 2014 By The 7 min read

The 57th annual Uniontown Rotary Club B’nai B’rith Sports Award Banquet will be held tonight at the Uniontown Jewish Community Center.

The event, which begins at 6 p.m., honors local students who are outstanding in scholarship, athletics and sportsmanship. The keynote speaker for the banquet will be NFL and NCAA college football and basketball official Gene Steratore Jr.

Steratore, the son of Gene Steratore Sr. of Uniontown, has worked eight playoff games, including two conference championship game, in his 11 years in the NFL. He’s also officiated in the Fiesta Bowl and six NCAA basketball tournaments.

Those to be honored tonight are Zachary Williams (Special Olympics Award), Joshua Zidek (Albert Gallatin Area High School), Christian Sesek (Brownsville Area High School), Austin Heinbaugh (Connellsville Area Senior High School), Charlie Manack (Frazier High School), Brandon Kushnar (Geibel Catholic High School), Jacob Hughes (Laurel Highlands Senior High School), Luke Wallace (Uniontown Area Senior High School) and Emily Konter (Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus).

Following is a capsule on each honoree:

Zachary Williams, Special Olympics Award

Williams, a resident of Uniontown, is the son of Mary Frances Williams. Zachary’s sports participation included basketball, swimming, golf, bowling and bocce. His athletic honors include Special Olympics Pennsylvania State Summer Games 2013, silver medal in basketball; 2014 Western Bowling Sectionals Special Olympics, Pa., Fayette County silver medal. “Zachary arrives at each practice with a smile on his face and ready to practice or compete with a positive attitude and a very pleasant personality,” said Zachary’s sponsoring coach, Linda Savochka. Zachary’s extracurricular activities include watching wrestling, attending adult bible studies, playing video games and dancing.

Joshua Zidek, Albert Gallatin

Zidek resides in McClellandtown and is the son of Mark and Sharon Zidek. Zidek played basketball for three years, soccer for two and one year of baseball. He earned all-county honors in basketball (2013-14) and was a second team all-conference selection in basketball in 2014. A three-year member of the National Honor Society, Zidek’s extra-curricular activities include Volunteer for W.V.Pet, Inc. Animal Rescue. Shea Fleenor, his sponsoring coach, said, “It has been an honor to coach Josh the past two years and I could think of no one more deserving of this award based on Josh’s personal qualities and athletic achievement. The dedication and work ethic that he put forth has helped to get us back on the right track to develop a successful basketball program. Josh was well deserved to be selected for the AAAA-1 All-Section 2nd Team this past year, as well as, being selected All-County for the past two seasons. It is through all of the hard work and time that Josh put into getting better that allowed him to achieve this. Josh’s commitment to the program, leadership, and presence on the floor, by leading our team in scoring for the past two seasons, will be deeply missed.”

Christian Sesek, Brownsville

Sesek is a resident of Brownsville and the son of Payl and Stephanie Sesek. He ran cross country all four years in high school, earning letters all four years, and was the senior captain this past season. Sesek’s academic honors include: National Honor Society, 11-12; French National Honor Society, 11-12; Debate Team, 9-12; The future is Mine, 9-12; Interact Club, 9-12; Math Competition Team, 11-12; Mock Trial Competion, 11; Musical Theater, 9-12; Student Council 9-12; and Student Forum, 9-12. Among his extracurricular activities are volunteering at Catholic Church of St. Peter, Brownsville. His sponsoring coach, Brian Nicholson, said of Sesek, “Christian has always impressed me. Even when he was not the fastest runner he inspired his peers with his attitude and work ethic. Great all around person.”

Austin Heinbaugh, Connellsville

Heinbaugh, of Connellsville, is the son of Kevin and Annette Heinbaugh. Heinbaugh has participated in football (3-year letterman), basketball (3-year letterman), and track & field (3-year letterman). His athletic Honors include The Rock Award, Tri-Athlete Award, All-County Track & Field, All-County Football, All-Conference Guard, Multiple Track Medals, Golden Falcon Award, Captain of the Football team, and scout team player of the week award. He academic honors include three-year Honor Roll Member, Academic All-Stars, National Honor Society, German National Honor Society. Heinbaugh’s extracurricular activities are umpiring, fishing, golfing, National Honor Society, and German National Honor Society. Heinbaugh’s sponsoring coach, Jeffrey Galand said, “I’ve had the pleasure over the past four years to work with Austin in the classroom, on the athletic field, and in the weight room. Over 20 years of teaching and coaching, Austin stands out as a powerful athlete, motivated student, and all-around ‘good guy.’ He’s easy to root for. He does our team, our school, and his family pround.”

Charlie Manack, Frazier

Manack is the son of Mark and Victoria Manack, of Perryopolis. Manack participated in football and basketball for four years, lettering all four years in both sports, and ran one year of track. His athletic honors include All-County and all-conference in football (3 years) and All-County in basketball (2 years). He has a 4.14 GPA and his academic honors include The David Kallok Scholar Athlete Award, Centenial Chevrolet Scholar Athlete, and National Honor Society. Manack is the Interact Club-Co-President, is involved in Student Government, and the Relay for Life-Co-Chair. Manack’s sponsoring coach, football coach Michael Steeber, said, “Charlie is certainly in the top 5% of student athletes I have seen. His work ethic and desire to succeed is excellent on and off the field. Charlie also possesses great leadership ability and was selected football team captain as a junior and senior.”

Brandon Kushnar, Geibel Catholic

Kushnar is the son of David and Lenora Kushnar. of Smock. Kushnar played football for four years and baseball for two, and was a four-year letterman in football and one-year in baseball. Kushnar was captain of the football team his junior and senior seasons and was all-county and all-conference in football. He is a member of the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society. Kushnar is an Altar Server and Eucharistic Minister. His extra-curricular activities include Science Club and Stage Crew for Musical. Kushnar’s sponsoring coach, Pete Nace, said, “Brandon was a leader of a very young football and baseball team, both on and off the field. He never missed a practice in 4 years and was a great role model to the younger athletes.”

Jacob Hughes, Laurel Highlands

Hughes is the son of David and Pam Hughes, of Uniontown. Hughes played soccer (2-year letterman) and was on the swimming team (4-year letterman) for four years. He qualified for the PIAA finals in 2013-14. He was all-county in soccer (2013), won WPIAL individual medals, was captain of the swim team and broke two records in for the swim team. His academic honors include National Honor Society and 4.0 Club. Hughes participates in the Spanish Club, SADD Club, Quiz team, National Honor Society and Math Club.

Luke Wallace, Uniontown

Wallace is the son of Dan and Mary Wallace, of Uniontown. Wallace is a four-year letterman in golf, FCCA golf champion (2013), played in the WPIAL golf finals (2012-13), qualified for the state golf finals (2013), and a three-year letterman in baseball. He is a member of the National Honor Society. Wallace’s extra-curricular activities include SADD; NHS Golf Team and baseball. Luke’s sponsoring coach, golf coach and athletic director Aaron M. Scott, said, “Luke is a hard working and dedicated athlete. He is constantly improving in his athletics and his academics. He has been a four year member of my golf team. He has been a great asset to have on the golf team and the baseball team. His baseball coach, Ken Musko would agree.”

Emily Konter, Penn State Fayette

Konter is the daughter of Mark and Christine Konter, of Brownsville. Konter played volleyball for three years and was a two-time USCAA Academic All-American, two-time USCAA second-team All-American, two-time first-team All-PSUAC, 2013 PSUAC Player of the Year, and 2012 PSUAC Setter of the Year. Her academic honors include Dean’s list (2011-present) and her extra-curricular activities were President of the Women’s Volleyball Advisory Board. Emily’s Sponsoring coaches are Nancy Wheeler and Vince Capozzi.