Tamaqua’s Leah Black has been recognized among the top student-athletes in Pennsylvania, earning selection to the inaugural 2025-26 PHEAA/PIAA All-Academic Athletic Team.

Black, the District 11 girls honoree, is one of just 24 student-athletes statewide — one male and one female from each of the PIAA’s 12 districts — chosen for the new program.

The award, presented by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) in partnership with the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), recognizes seniors who excel in academics, athletics, and leadership. Each recipient will receive a $1,000 scholarship toward post-secondary education.

Nominees were selected by their schools and evaluated on a range of criteria, including a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.60, participation in multiple sports, and demonstrated leadership in school and community activities.

Black represents District 11 on the girls side alongside a group of honorees from across the state.

Also selected were:

Boys: Thomas Ginnetti (District 1, Pennridge), Nicholas Burak (2, Valley View), Colton Rutt (3, Cocalico), Tyler Ulrich (4, Warrior Run), Brennan Lohr (5, Conemaugh Township), Cooper Lovrich (6, Bellwood-Antis), Ryan Spitznagel (7, South Park), Jaden Colbert (8, Obama Academy), Dalton Wenner (9, Cranberry), Blake Glass (10, Fort LeBoeuf), Sean Steckert (11, Southern Lehigh), and Ryan Connor (12, Cardinal O’Hara).

Girls: Avery Lustgarten (1, Garnet Valley), Amanda Dempsey (2, Dunmore), Kaydon Brandt (3, Susquenita), Haley Litzelman (4, North Penn-Liberty), Alyssa Yeatts (5, Northern Bedford), Zaelinh Nguyen-Moore (6, Altoona), Anabella Aquino (7, Penn Trafford), Mia Quarles (8, Obama Academy), Harley Thompson (9, Northern Potter), Miah Skelly (10, North East), Black (11, Tamaqua), and Dailyanis Nunez Guzman (12, Thomas A. Edison).

PIAA Executive Director Mark Byers said the inaugural class “represents the very best of what interscholastic athletics can offer,” citing their commitment in the classroom, on their teams, and within their communities.