D9CL League Ambassador Award Winners

Payton Newton and Christian Sloff

In October of 2024 a group of schools and Athletic Directors got together to begin talks of forming a new "All Sports League" in District 9.

The schools included: Bradford Area, Brockway Area, DuBois Area, DuBois Catholic, Elk County Catholic, Kane Area, Johnsonburg Area, Punxsutawney Area, Ridgway Area, St. Marys Area, and Sheffield Area (Junior High Member). These schools formerly made up the Allegany Mountain Basketball League and the District 9 AAAA League.

The purpose of the league was to provide an "All Sports League" for the member schools that would promote the highest ideals sportsmanship; provide schools with an opportunity to play for league championships; and recognize the top athletes in each sport at each school in terms of "All League" and "All Star" teams.

The 2025-2026 school year was the initial year for the League. The league was named the D9CL (District 9 Central League). The league had a great deal of success in its first year of existence! Sports included in the D9CL league are Cross Country, Golf, Tennis, Volleyball, Basketball, Swimming & Diving, Baseball, Softball, and Track & Field.

The League President is Phil Esposite from DuBois Catholic.

In addition to each sport having an All Star team and Most Valuable Players, the league decided to give an award to one male and one female from each school called the D9CL Ambassadors Award. This award symbolizes the student-athletes from each school that best represent the highest ideals and principles of the league which includes - Sportsmanship, Leadership, Scholarship, and overall Athletic Excellence.

The recipients of this award from Elk County Catholic are Payton Newton and Christian Sloff. Both of these individuals fit the criteria very well and are great representatives to receive this award.

Payton and Christian are three sport athletes and have represented our school with excellence both on and off the athletic venues. The Elk County Catholic Community is very proud of Payton and Christian and all of our student athletes!!