Penn High School’s Paul Moala signed a National Letter of Intent to play football for the University of Notre Dame, and Anthony Torres signed with Western Michigan on Wednesday, Dec. 20.

Moala, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound defensive back for the Penn Kingsmen Football Team, helped lead the Kingsmen of Coach Cory Yeoman to the Class 6-A State Championship Game this season. He also played on the 2015 Kingsmen Team that reached the State Championship Game.

Moala said that the outstanding academics and elite status of the Notre Dame Football program led him to choose to suit up for the Fighting Irish.

Proximity to his home was a key factor, but Notre Dame Football also gave Moala some very compelling vibes. "There was a vibe you got with the players, that it was a family and everyone looked out for each other."

Moala chose Notre Dame over Nebraska, Iowa, Utah State, Vanderbilt, Hawaii, Air Force, Western Michigan, Ball State, Bowling Green, Northern Illinois, and Indiana State.

"The process was hard to keep up with," Moala said. "So many coaches hitting you up and wondering how you were doing, it truly was a blessing though, to be gifted with talents that next level coaches recognized daily."

In 2017, Moala returned two kickoffs and two punts for touchdowns, and he led Penn with 79 tackles. He recovered two fumbles, intercepted one pass, and scored two defensive touchdowns. He blocked two kicks. Moala also scored two receiving touchdowns this season. In 2016, Moala intercepted seven passes, four that he returned for touchdowns. Moala also returned two punts and one kickoff for touchdowns. He blocked three kicks.

Torres, a 6-foot-7, 238-pound tight end, has committed to The University of Western Michigan and is looking forward to the experience that lies ahead of him.

Torres is a three-star recruit and has had multiple scholarship offers, including Central Florida, Toledo, Air Force, Cincinnati, and Arkansas. After an early verbal commit to Iowa, Torres chose Western Michigan.

"The recruiting process as a whole was a roller coaster for me," Torres.

"I chose Western Michigan for many reasons,” Torres said. “The coaches are very genuine and I really like the tight end coach there. Overall they have a great staff and are building an amazing culture over there. I also like how much it feels like home to me there.

“Unlike other schools, I didn’t feel homesick. On top of that, it’s also about an hour and 15 minutes to an hour-and-a-half from my house, so it’s close enough to make the trip in one day. I’ve gotten along with the other commits and altogether there is a very strong family bond between all the players and coaches.

"I’m looking forward to becoming part of the family at Western Michigan. I’m also excited to develop and continue to grow as a player. Lastly, I’m excited to work with the tight end coach."

In 2016, Torres caught 11 passes for 195 yards (17.7 yards per catch) and one TD for Penn. He did not play football in 2017 due to injury.

The Penn Boys and Girls Swim Teams swept South Bend St. Joseph in a Northern Indiana Conference showdown on Monday, Dec. 18.

A Photo Gallery is posted below.

Nate Hadary (106) and Preston Risner (138) posted unbeaten 5-0 records to lead the Penn Kingsmen effort in the Henry Wilk Classic held at Penn on Saturday, Dec. 16.

Penn finished with a 3-2 record in the event.

Penn scores:

• Penn 56, Huntington North 6
• Niles 29, Penn 25
• Detroit Central Catholic 57, Penn 6
• Penn 45, Zionsville 22
• Penn 70, Valparaiso 0

Visiting Penn used a 19-2 run in the first quarter to gain command and roll to a 78-47 high school boys basketball victory against Michigan City on Saturday, Dec. 16.

Noah Applegate, a 6-foot-6 Junior, led the Kingsmen with 25 points and nine rebounds. Applegate scored 20 of his points in the first half. The All-State Candidate was 9-of-12 shooting, including 2-of-4 three-pointers, and was 5-of-6 from the free-throw line.

Junior guard Drew Lutz scored 19 points and had 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Beau Ludwick scored 11 points.

 Junior Kegan Hoskins scored 5 points and had 8 rebounds.

Senior Noah Krathwohl had 6 points and 6 rebounds.

The Penn Kingsmen used a balanced attack to defeat the South Bend Washington Panthers, 62-37, in Northern Indiana Conference Girls Basketball action on Friday, Dec. 15.

Grace Adams led Penn with 11 points.

Trinity Clinton scored 10 points, and Sara Doi and Jordyn Smith scored nine points each.

Reganne Pate scored eight points, and Antreese Shelton scored six points.

The Kingsmen improved to 13-1 by defeating the Panthers.

Penn High School Athletic events recently postponed by adverse weather conditions have been rescheduled:

• The Penn Girls Basketball Game against Northridge, postponed on Dec. 12, has been rescheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 19, at Penn High School. The Junior Varsity Game has been scheduled to start at 6 p.m., with the Varsity Game to follow.
• The Penn Girls Basketball Game against Merrillville, postponed on Dec. 9, has been rescheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 9, at Merrillville. The Junior Varsity Game has been scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m. EST, with the Varsity Game to follow.
• The Penn Boys Basketball Game against Crown Point, postponed on Dec. 9, has been rescheduled to Saturday, Feb. 10, at Crown Point. The Junior Varsity Game is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. EST, with the Varsity Game to follow.

No. 10 Class 3-A South Bend Washington held off a furious rally by the Penn Kingsmen to score a 64-60 victory in Northern Indiana Conference Boys Basketball on Thursday, Dec. 14.

Washington went on a 14-2 run on the way to a 19-9 first-quarter lead. The Panthers led the Kingsmen 33-23 at the half.

The Kingsmen outscored the Panthers 15-5 to knot the score at 38-38 at the end of the third quarter.

Washington held off the Kingsmen in the final quarter.

Noah Applegate led Penn with 22 points, Drew Lutz scored 13 points, and Noah Krathwohl scored 11 points.

Penn's Kingsmen gained the edge in the Northern Indiana Conference regular-season competition with a heart-thumping 38-33 victory against arch-rival Mishawaka in a meeting of league unbeatens on Wednesday, Dec. 13.

Logan Hill and Colin Wilson turned in stunning rallies to post crucial victories for the Kingsmen.

Hill (132) rallied for a 10-8 in the final seconds, and Wilson (160) fought back from a 3-0 deficit for a pin in 5:45.

Tanner DeMien (126) and Adam Berta (220) each struck for lightning-quick pins in less than a minute. DeMien pinned his Mishawaka rival in :57, and Berta got his stick in :52.

Preston Risner (138) and Rockne Hurley (195) each contributed major decisions.

Noah Brown (170) and won critical points with a 13-8 decisions.

Penn winners:

• 120: Vince Sparrow pin, 2:58.
• 126: Tanner DeMien pin, :57.
• 132: Logan Hill 10-8 decision.
• 138: Preston Risner 17-5 major decision.
• 160: Colin Wilson pin, 5:45.
• 170: Noah Brown 13-8 decision.
• 195: Rockne Hurley 11-2 major decision.
• 220: Adam Berta pin, :52.

Out of 410 Indiana High School Athletic Association members, Penn High School was the only school to win all eight Fall Sports Sectional Championships!

The Lady Kingsmen won the State Championship in October and also clinched the top spot of #1 team in the nation! The football team finished their season with a 12-2 record, making it all the way to the State Championship coming in first runners up.

In this "Excellence Happens Here" video, hear from seniors Paul Moala, Kristina Lynch and Mackenzie Wood and coaches Cory Yeoman and Jeff Hart about how dedication and hard work lead to EXCELLENCE!

Mackenzie Wood was one of 24 players called up to the United States Under-18 Women's National Team. 

Kristina Lynch was just named United Soccer Coaches National Player of the Year (December 12)!

All evening events at Penn High School on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, have been postponed due to adverse weather conditions.

Athletic practices and other after-school activities will be allowed until 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017.

The Penn Showcase event will not be rescheduled.

Postponed events for Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, include:

• Penn Girls Basketball vs. Northridge. The game has not yet been rescheduled.
• Penn Boys & Girls Swimmin at Bremen. The meet has been rescheduled to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017, at Bremen.
• Penn Freshmen Boys Basketball vs. NorthWood. the game has not yet been rescheduled.