5 Super Athletes With Ties To Upper Macungie

Sports have a way of teaching invaluable life lessons — building character, fostering teamwork and strengthening the bonds within a community. In the Upper Macungie area, these values have shaped some truly remarkable athletes from different eras, whose accomplishments continue to inspire.

Patch has teamed up with T-Mobile to spotlight five standout athletes whose achievements have left a lasting mark on our community. While this list is just a snapshot, there are countless others who have helped shape the rich sports culture in our area.

1. Debra Gould-Springer (Cross Country/Track & Field)

Macungie resident Debra Gould-Springer was a decorated runner at DeSales University, earning multiple All-Conference and All-Region honors in both cross country and track. She was a two-time MVP in cross country and an NCAA provisional national qualifier in the 800 meters for indoor track. After being named DeSales’ Female Athlete of the Year in 1996-97, she transitioned to coaching and later pursued a career in behavioral health.

2. Joey Polczynski (Basketball)

A versatile forward from Macungie, Joey Polczynski played collegiate basketball after excelling at Emmaus High School. Known for his efficiency on the court, he contributed as a key role player, averaging solid minutes while shooting nearly 50% from the field. His ability to score inside and from beyond the arc made him a valuable asset, and he was a consistent rebounder throughout his career. Off the court, Polczynski balanced his athletic career with academic excellence, maintaining high honors while majoring in biology.

3. Keith Dorney (Football)

Emmaus High School graduate Keith Dorney was a standout offensive lineman at Penn State from 1975-78, earning unanimous All-America honors as a senior. During his collegiate career, he played a pivotal role in the Nittany Lions' 38-10 record before being selected 10th overall by the Detroit Lions in the 1979 NFL Draft. Following his football career, Dorney focused on mentoring young athletes, working as a special education teacher and high school coach.

4. Nicole Reinhart (Cycling)

A gifted cyclist from Macungie, Nicole Reinhart was a two-time Pan American Games gold medalist and a dominant force in track and road racing. She began her career as a nine-time junior national champion and continued her success at the elite level, winning multiple national titles and races as part of the Saturn Women’s Professional Cycling Team. Though her life was tragically cut short during a competition in 2000, her legacy lives on through the Nicole Reinhart Foundation and a memorial park in her honor. She was posthumously inducted into the Lehigh Valley Velodrome Hall of Fame in 2004.

5. Kyzir White (Football)

Macungie-born linebacker Kyzir White made his mark at Emmaus High School before playing college football at West Virginia. After a standout career with the Mountaineers, he was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. White quickly adjusted to the professional level, transitioning from safety to linebacker and becoming a key defensive playmaker. He later played for the Philadelphia Eagles, helping them reach Super Bowl LVII, before signing with the Arizona Cardinals.

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.