The Bishop O'Connell Knights stumbled somewhat in 2002. In Coach Darrell Snyder’s final season at the helm, O'Connell finished 4-6 overall (2-5 WCAC), after starting the season 3-2.

First-team All-WCAC honorees included senior defensive lineman P.J.Smith. Second-team honors went to Jeremy Trimble, Jeff Vanden Berghe and Andrew Bikowski.

Trimble, a rising senior in 2003, is the son of newly named Knights head coach Steve Trimble, who played collegiately at U. Maryland two-plus decades ago.

Snyder will remain as athletic director, but relinquishes football responsibilities after 17 total seasons.

The Paul VI Panthers had a tough rebuilding season in 2002. First-year head coach Mark Collier took over a program that had only won two games the year before and did an outstanding job given the circumstances.

The Panthers had to learn a new system. They had a couple of key players transfer away, and they also played a very difficult non-conference schedule.

The "Black and Gold" finished 2002 with a 1-9 overall record (0-7 WCAC). PVI announced that it is withdrawing from WCAC competition in football for at least two years in an attempt to get the program back on track.

First-team All-WCAC honorees went to senior place kicker Rob Stoegbauer. Second-team honors went to Tim Cougan, Sam Ellis-Johnson and Darryl Proctor.

Stoegbauer is quite likely the only diocesan student in W.C.A.C. history to receive BOTH football and soccer honors in the SAME season).

The Bishop Ireton Cardinals turned the corner during the latter part of the season. Ireton finished the season 3-5 overall (independent schedule), after starting out the campaign 0-4. The Cardinals won three of their final four games in convincing fashion.

Due to the fact that the Cardinals play an independent schedule, no players were eligible for All-WCAC awards.

Some key seniors who completed their high school careers included: Joe Blaszkow, William Bryant, Tim Tassa, Mike Bury, Dan Blaine, Carlos Goldie, Jon Lawler, E.J. Peter, George Giammittorio and Jordan Ryan.

Girls Soccer Players Honored

The O'Connell Lady Knights won the WCAC Soccer Championship in convincing fashion. The Knights, coached by Alberto Starace, finished the abbreviated 2002 season with an overall record of 14-2. The "Royal Blue and Silver" won both the regular season and the post-season titles.

First-team All-WCAC honorees went to: junior midfielder Natalie Arias, sophomore attack Mick Ingram and sophomore defender Lauren Kelly.

Second-team honors went to L.B. Puglisi, Amanda Dabbenigno, Katie Hogwood and Kerry Philbin.

The Paul VI Lady Panthers finished the abbreviated season 8-2-1 overall, good for second-place in the WCAC regular season standings.

First-team All-WCAC honorees included senior defender Allie Opfer and senior midfielder Caitlin Oliver. Second-team honors went to Colleen Luczko.

The Ireton Lady Cardinals finished the abbreviated season with an overall record of 9-5. The Cardinals placed fourth in the WCAC regular season.

First-team All-WCAC honorees included senior midfielders Emily Brandt, Molly Gannon and Phoebe Mroczek. Second-team honors went to Caitlyn Love.

Boys Soccer

The Paul VI Panthers stepped up late in the abbreviated season and finished as the 2002 WCAC runnersups. The Panthers finished the shortened season with a 6-7 overall record.

Second-team All-WCAC honorees included Ed Zigo and Ryan Price.

The O'Connell Knights finished the abbreviated regular season with a 2-7-1 overall record. The Knights, coached by Aldo Zito, dropped their quarterfinal contest to Good Counsel 4-2.

Second-team All-WCAC honoree included Hector Villagomez.