PG's North Male Athlete of the Year: Shaler's J.P. Holtz

Chris Adamski details the selection of Shaler's J.P. Holtz as the Post-Gazette North male Athlete of the Year:

"John Paul Holtz -- Shaler Area's great ... punter?

Yes, Holtz -- better known as "J.P." to his Titans teammates and those who follow them -- filled punting duties for Shaler over the course of his high school athletic tenure.

While he was, by all indications, an excellent punter, those weren't necessarily the skills that earned him recognition as the Post-Gazette's North Xtra Male High School Athlete of the Year.

A standout for the Titans at a variety of football positions and as a post player in basketball, Holtz will soon embark on his freshman season as a tight end at Pitt.

"J.P. Holtz over the course of his career -- not just his senior year -- has been a mainstay for both the football and basketball programs," Shaler athletic director and head basketball coach Paul Holzshu said. "Both programs had a good amount of success during his time at Shaler Area, and he certainly was at the forefront of setting a standard. That, I think, deserves recognition.""