RAY SWANSON | Keystoner Washington & amp; Jefferson picked to repeat in PAC

Washington & amp; Jefferson, a dominant force in the President's Athletic Conference football race, has once again been selected as the team to beat in 2003.
At the recent PAC Media Day staged at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, the Presidents, who are operating under first-year coach Mike Sirianni, were picked to walk off once again with championship honors. W & amp;J garnered 17 of 26 first-place votes in the preseason poll. Doing the voting were the conference coaches, sports information directors and media members who were present.
Following the Presidents in the balloting were Westminster (three first-place votes); Thiel (5); Waynesburg, Bethany (1) and Grove City. In total points, W & amp;J had 143, Westminster 108, Thiel 103, Waynesburg 91, Bethany 55, and Grove City 48.
W & amp;J, the defending PAC champion, went 9-3 overall last season, and undefeated in five league outings. The Presidents advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs.
Others agree
The Presidents are not only ranked high in the PAC but in other publications. Sports Illustrated (fifth), seventh by Street and Smith's College Football Yearbook, ninth by Lindy's National College Football Annual; 16th by Don Hansen's National Weekly Football Gazette and 23rd by d3football.com.
The W & amp;J 2003 football team is believed to be one of the strongest units around as can be depicted by their entry into so many NCAA Div. III Top 25 preseason national polls.
Despite the high ranking by the pollsters, Sirianni is not taking anything for granted. "It's an honor to be thought of as the preseason favorite, especially because of how strong the conference has become. We were going to prepare the same way no matter where we were voted," said Sirianni.
High expectations
In conclusion, Sirianni said, "We are all looking forward to what will be an exciting season in the PAC."
W & amp;J was picked to capture its 18th PAC title in the past 19 years, a remarkable record for the football power.
Westminster, which finished second last year in the PAC title chase, posted a 6-4 overall record while going 4-1 in the PAC title run.
Titan coach Jerry Schmitt, now in his fourth year, was pleased with his team getting so many votes.
Said Schmitt: "We are appreciative of the fact that so many in attendance [at Media Day] held our program in high regard. W & amp;J deserves to be picked first until somebody beats them. We are looking forward to an exciting and competitive PAC football season."
Thiel College, under Jack Leipheimer, a former Hickory High standout, saw his team finish third in the poll. In the voting breakdown, Westminster was actually picked second behind Thiel in the coaches ballot, but was tabbed second by both the conference SIDs and media members.
Tabisz steps down
John Tabisz, veteran coach of the Slippery Rock High girls basketball team, decided it was time to step down. His resignation came as a shock to the school board and to Slippery Rock basketball fans.
Tabisz, coach of the Rockets for 16 years, won his 200th game last season and was honored by the school for his fete.
There was no reason given for Tabisz's decision but some close to him said he felt burned out and had to get away for awhile.
He had accumulated 209 wins as head of the Rockets and in 1994-95, he guided his team to a 27-4 record and the PIAA western regional final, where the Rockets lost to North Catholic.
Nine of the Rockets' top 10 players return this season and they are expected to contend for the Mercer County AAA crown.