Year in review -- Top stories of 2023: Chief calls it a career, Cardinals' historic year ends at states
Dec. 28—Editors note: The Meadville Tribune is re-visiting the top eight Crawford County-area sports stories from 2023. The series started Wednesday and continues today, Friday and Saturday. Two stories will run per day in no particular order.
After 37 years, more than 1,750 games, 1,122 wins and eight state titles, it's hard to imagine Jamie Plunkett was a first-timer in anything.
But in February, Plunkett, commonly known as "Chief," made the decision to step away from the boards at the House of Chills for the first time. Plunkett announced his decision to retire from coaching in a statement released on Facebook about a week before the final game of the 2022-23 season.
It was a tough decision for the longtime face of Meadville hockey, who directed one of the state's greatest sports dynasties. Plunkett began coaching in 1987 and won two state titles in his first two years at the helm. Then the 'Dogs rattled off five straight titles in the 1990s and added an eighth in 2003. He retired with a coaching record of 1,122-542-100.
Chief's final game was at the House of Thrills at the George S. DeArment Ice Area on Feb. 27. He walked off the ice to a standing ovation and the support of the Meadville community.
"It was really gratifying and it's one of the things that's made this the best coaching job — the support this program, players and coaches get from this community," Plunkett said after the game. "There were a lot of former players and friends back tonight."
Plunkett considered retiring for several seasons, but felt the pull to return. In February, he felt like his time with the Bulldogs ran its course.
This season, longtime assistant Kyle Wait is in his first year of leading the Bulldogs. Meadville is currently 8-3 and tied for third place in its conference.
Cochranton volleyball makes program history
The Cochranton Cardinals boys volleyball team, with their state runner-up finish in June, marked the best season in program history.
Cochranton lost to Lower Dauphin 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 25-19) at Penn State University's Recreation Hall in the Class 2A title match on June 17.
The historic run was not lost on the Cardinals players or coaching staff.
"As our high school chemistry teacher put it, we didn't do too bad for having captains that are two welders and a plumber," senior Chase Miller said. "It was a cool experience for us and it was cool to go out there and do something our school hasn't had a chance to do."
The Cardinals did it with the smallest male enrollment size (73) of any team in the 16-team state playoff bracket. Lower Dauphin had an enrollment number of 421.
"When you are a small school like Cochranton you will always be the underdog no matter the situation, even though we've had a really good volleyball program," head coach Rob Cierniakoski said. "We've definitely embraced it. We aren't scared of it or anything. We went out and fought."
Cochranton reached the state title match by beating Mercyhurst Prep 3-1 in the state semifinals to avenge a loss in the District 10 championship match. The Cardinals beat North Catholic and West Shamokin in the first round and quarterfinal round of the state playoffs.
Alex Topor can be reached at (814) 724-6370 or by email at atopor@meadvilletribune.com.
