S T MPI NG G R O U N D S EVERYTHING HAS A STORY Success isn’t Given.

It’s Earned.

On the Track,

On the Field,

In the Gym.

With Blood, Sweat, & the Occasional Tear.

Stomping Grounds, LLC. 3rd Edition Content Copyright. © 2018 814.792.8181 www.stompinggroundsonline.com Like Us on Facebook Stomping-Grounds-Sports Teammate • Competition • Success In 2014, for the first time, more high school girls played (432,176) than (429,504), Sierra Widmar – Bishop McCort according to the National Federation of State High School Associations. In 2015-16, volleyball added another 4,133 girls to those numbers, while basketball lost 276 participants. Examine the past decade, and the numbers are more striking. Statistics compiled by the NFHS show an increase of more than 40,000 volleyball players in that span and a decrease of 23,000 basketball players. Sierra Widmar, however fills a spot in both categories. Widmar, a senior at Bishop McCort High School, states that the reason that she competes in a variety of sport categories is because she loves the feeling of being part of a team, enjoys the thrill of competition, and the opportunities that sports provide to be successful. Although Widmar plays both Volleyball and Basketball all year long for both the school and travel teams, she states that if she had to choose, her true love and favorite sport to play would be volleyball. She started playing volleyball in the 4th grade and has played on several travel teams. Widmar consistently participates in volleyball camps to improve her skills. In addition to volleyball and basketball, her other sport and recreational activities include playing on her high school team and Judo training (in which she had a personal coach who trained her from the ages of 4 to 12, 3 times per week). Although Judo is an activity that she no longer participates in, Widmar claims that her participation in Judo taught her a lot of the skills she uses now in volleyball. Skills such as mental toughness, which is helpful when negative things occur during competition and don’t easily affect her. Widmar plans to be involved with athletics far beyond her high school years, whether as a player or as a coach. Currently, she is a candidate for admission to the Air Force and Naval Academies. Widmar states that as she furthers her education, she also plans to further her participation in athletics. Her personal best in all 3 sports proves that she has a good chance of achieving this at the collegiate level. Currently she has 1000 assists, 408 digs, and 398 kills in volleyball. Her high school basketball career thus far includes 516 points and 477 rebounds. Moreover, she has the highest batting average on her high school softball team.

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An article at Education.com talks about the 3 “P’s” student athletes learn that extend beyond the classroom: persistence, patience and practice. Team members learn that practice is required, even when they would prefer to be spending time with friends. They learn the harder they work, the better they perform. They also discover that by never giving up, they are more likely to achieve their goals. These life lessons benefit students long after their high school years, helping them succeed in college and beyond. The same holds true for Shawna Leonard who enjoys playing sports like softball and volleyball. These sports motivate her to try hard, do her best, and challenges her to be the best. One way she hopes to be the best, is by beating her sister’s school record of 202 strikeouts in a season, while trying to set the record for the most homeruns in a single season. Leonard looks to her coach to help her meet these goals by coaching her rigorously and giving her the motivation/encouragement to do well. This approach has served her well, as evidenced by her personal best records of 147 strikeouts and 9 home runs in a single season. Leonard also has the top pitching speed of 63mph, all of which she plans to increase this season as a senior. She has achieved major highlights, including winning the Westpac title in 2018 and winning 3 consecutive years of District V Championships. Shauna’s main strengths are pitching, fielding, and hitting. However, she feels that she can improve in all areas of all the sports she plays, specifically in volleyball with passing and softball with endurance. During the winter months, she attends weekly pitching lessons with her pitching coach. Her dad (which is her travel ball coach) has her pitching once or twice a week. Furthermore, Shauna has had the opportunity to work with numerous college coaches and college players at various camps and clinics. At these camps/clinics she enjoys learning different drills and pitching techniques. Shauna expects her coaches to always encourage her to do her best during the ups and downs and to always have her back in every situation. Shawna’s use of the 3 P’s has been witnessed through her performance as a student athlete, which has earned her several Shawna Leonard offers to play and learn at the collegiate level. At this point as a young athlete, she is still undecided. Meyersdale Hour Emergency 24 Service • Cleaning • Servicing • Installation Service, Inc. • Gas/Oil Boilers & Furnaces • Gas Lines 1976 Forest Hills Drive Windber, PA 15963 YEAGERSHEATING.COM 266-3707 or 467-5523

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Simone Durham is just another player yet, not just another player. I say that with respect for this young lady and with admiration for how she goes about her business. Football is a sport traditionally played by men. Traditionally speaking, Johnstown has not had a full season female football player. In my time, I have not coached another female player for any long period of time. I did, however, wrestle with Kristy Krouse Furfari in high school (who was covered by USA Today as one of the few female wrestlers at the time). Like Kristy, Simone quietly and without any fuss went about her business just like everyone else on the team. But, Simone is not like everyone else, she is a woman playing (a traditionally) man’s sport. In addition, she is a freshman playing a varsity sport. Neither are very easy. What I love about football is all the lessons it teaches; teamwork, hard work and how to deal with adversity. There are so many scenarios where adversity comes in to play. For example, good plays, bad plays, wins, losses and a host of other things go along with the nature of the sport. Consider being the only female, or finding a separate place to change. Consider people telling you that you can’t play football or telling you you’re not good at the game. In this instance, Simone is not just another player… she has double the adversity. Yet, she never complains about any of it. Simone works diligently, quietly and breaks every barrier with such class that she is not just another player. Today, the sport of Football is challenging. There are so many questions about how women are treated. Simone serves as an inspiration to all women who were told no, pushed around, or told this isn’t something a girl can do. She is not just another player, she is an inspiration to all genders who were told they couldn’t do something.

In the end, all she wants to be is just another player and to be perfectly honest, she is. Simone does everything her teammates do and is coached the same way. No exceptions, adjustments, or limitations are made. She isn’t just another player chasing the dream, but a symbol of you can be whatever you work to be!

By: Tony Penna

330 Arthur Street • Johnstown Getting the Job Done

Kiera Booth, Junior at Berlin Brothersvalley states that playing sports and being active is something that she really enjoys and picks up honestly from her athletic family background, which include her parents (who played many sports) and her brother (who currently plays at the collegiate level). Booth participates in high school volleyball, basketball, and track. She also plays club volleyball for Revolution in Pittsburgh and enjoys water sports in the summer. Booth explains that she is always working to better herself because she wants to be an influential part of her high school and help her team go to the State playoffs. An article at We Play Moms explains that because everyone is working toward a common goal in team sports, students learn firsthand how their performance impacts the rest of the team. Student athletes like Booth must find their place, whether it is to be a leader of the team or to play a supporting role. Booth understands how important it is to do both and make her impact visible on the team. The major highlights and achievements in her career can prove it. Booth, who is just a junior at Berlin Brothersvalley High School describes one of her most honorable achievements was receiving both the Somerset County MVP in volleyball for the 2017 season and Somerset County MVP in basketball for the 2017-2018 season. Reaching her 1,000th kill mark in volleyball as a sophomore was a huge highlight of her volleyball career. During her sophomore year, she was a part of District Championship and WestPac Championship teams in volleyball, basketball and volleyball. Booth also claims that one of her favorite club moments was winning third place at AAU Nationals in Orlando, June 2018 and being named an AAU All American All Star at the tournament. Some of her personal bests include reaching her 1,000th kill mark in volleyball as a sophomore, which was a huge highlight of her volleyball career. However, she anticipates the school record of 1,485 kills in the future. In basketball, she is nearing 1,000 points. In track and field, she was the 2018 District Champ in javelin and discus. She also participated at the state track and field meet and finished 12th overall in javelin. Booth explains what she enjoys the most about athletics is, “being part of a team the most. The bonds that are created through sports is incredible. You have to trust your teammates to put forth their best effort in order to get the job done, as do you.”

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Jeremy A. Burkett who is the Dean of Students and Director of Athletics at Portage Area Jr-Sr High School was asked to explain why Cole Sossong deserves to be recognized as a student athlete in Stomping Grounds Magazine. Burkett responded by saying, “Cole is a high character student-athlete at Portage Area Jr-Sr High School. Coaches, teammates and school staff can depend on getting Cole’s best effort. His commitment and determination have made him a leader on the field, mat, and in the school. In all his accomplishments, he remains humble and gracious to his teammates and coaches. We expect big things from him in his senior year as a Portage Mustang, and in college. He will represent the community of Portage well in his future endeavors.” According to an article that was posted on UNIGO.com, when you play for your high school you are representing the community in which you live. You will participate against other communities and enjoy the sporting rivalries that have developed over numerous generations. Students who participate in high school sports learn the benefit of representing their community on the field or court. In Sossong’s case, he represents the Portage area on the field or wrestling mat. Aside from being a positive representative for the community, Cole Sossong – Portage High School Sossong (who is a senior football player and wrestler) adds some major achievements and highlights as well. Two of these highlights being a District 6 Runner Up and PIAA State Qualifier in wrestling. He explained that one of his strengths is accomplishing anything once he puts his mind to it. Sossong, who was a 2017 football letterman, would like to add helping his team win a District 6 football championship to his list of achievements. He looks to his coaches to help him achieve these goals by pushing him every day on the football field and by always putting him in positions to be successful. And what does Cole consider successful? Graduating from high school with a District 6 championship in football and a medal from the 2019 State wrestling tournament. Hard Work Leads to Progress and Results

Motivation, simply defined, is the ability to initiate and persist at a task. It is valuable to establish clear goals of what you want to accomplish in your sport and how you will achieve those goals. Seeing that your hard work leads to progress and results should motivate you further to realize your goals. When asked what motivates him to play sports, Luke Ruggery explains that his main motivations involve both short and long term goals. His short term goals include winning championships and building (or adding to) any program he is involved in. Meanwhile, his long term goals are to develop qualities that can be used in life outside of sports and impacting people’s lives by how he plays basketball. In achieving his goals, Luke looks to his coaches to continue to provide the correct tools to put his team in the best place of winning a championship (once again) before graduation. As a sophomore, Luke (who attends Bishop Guilfoyle High School), received a college scholarship for St. Francis University, where he has committed to attend and play at the next level. Some other major achievements along the way also include; winning the District 6 and Laurel Highlands conference championship and making the Pennsylvania First-Team AA All-State Basketball team as a junior. He also noted scoring 30 points as his personal best. Luke wouldn’t be upset at all if the chance to play basketball overseas came into existence after his career in college. To perform your best, you must want to begin the process of developing as an athlete. You must be willing to maintain your efforts until you have achieved your goals. Motivation in sports is very important because you must be willing to work hard in the face of fatigue, boredom, pain, and the desire to do other things. Luke credits some of his strengths as being confident, hardworking and always motivated to do better in basketball. He understands that he has some weaknesses that he needs to continue to improve upon, like using his weak hand and being more persistent during a bad shooting game. To improve these areas, Luke trains with his brother twice per week and goes to CORE, (a local training gym) three days per week. What he enjoys about training is being pushed to improve upon areas you are weak in.

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Four JOHNSTOWN SOMERSET INDIANA ALTOONA Locations 344 Budfield St. 453 W. Patriot St. 120 N. Fifth St. 815 Logan Blvd. to Serve Johnstown, PA Somerset, PA Indiana, PA Altoona, PA You (814) 262-0123 (814) 443-3838 (724) 465-6662 (814) 943-7786 www.aoa-smile.com Many have been led to expect subpar academic achievement for the student athlete due to the added stress of extracurricular athletic activities, such as all the extra hours spent throughout the week to practice or even missing school to attend sports events. These are just a few things that separates a student athlete from a non-student athlete. For Marideth Tokarsky, a senior at Windber High School, this is far from the truth. Recent studies have shown that athletes actually perform very well in school, Marideth is an example of this. Both her academic and athletic performance/ achievements have been outstanding to say the least. Unfortunately, the size of this article does not permit enough space necessary even begin to shed light on the amazing resume she has built as a student athlete. However, upon reading her story, the message will be clear. Marideth participates in Soccer, Basketball and Track & Field. She has always participated in sports with her start in AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization in Soccer). On the soccer field, she was selected as Marideth Tokarsky - 12th grade - Windber High School Somerset County’s Goalkeeper of the Year for 2017. She was selected for the WestPAC All-Star team and helped her WHS team win the WestPAC and D5 A Girls Championships 3 years straight (‘16, ‘17, ‘18). She also holds the school record for the most shutouts in a season and in a career. Basketball is the sport she holds nearest and dearest to her heart. Not only does she play for her school’s team, but she also plays AAU basketball for Pa Blue Thunder during the spring and summer which has permitted her to travel and compete in tournaments in New York, Erie, Virginia, Maryland, Philadelphia and the Pittsburgh area. Marideth’s school team won the District V Championship as well as the WestPAC North title in 2017- 18. She will be entering her 2018-19 senior season with 724 points and has previously been named to the WAABA and Boswell Jaycees All Tournament teams. In track, Marideth holds the school’s 3,200 meter relay record which had been previously held by her eldest sister. She has anchored the 3,200 meter relay team every year which has won the D5 title three years thus far while also participating in the PIAA State Track and Field Championships. In addition, she was named to the WestPAC all-star track team in each of those three years and currently has 70 track wins (3,200 relay, 300m hurdles, 1,600m relay, triple jump and 200 meter dash). Marideth’s past seasons in every sport she plays has been successful. However she believes that as nice as it is, a successful season does not solely depend upon winning championships. She explains that a successful season for her, “is to truly enjoy playing, grow closer to teammates and have deep lifelong relationships and memorable experiences.” Academically, Marideth is second in her graduating class of 2019 at WHS. She had the highest SAT score in the 2017-18 school year. And although so much time and hard work has been spent participating in athletics (and could be carried on into the collegiate level), her focus after high school will truly shift to an academic mindset. College admission to a top pre-med program has always been her priority. The schools to which she has applied (Johns Hopkins, Yale and Pitt Honors Program) have very high academic standards. She has been hopeful to use athletics as leverage to boost her application and gain admission to one of those universities. She will depend on intramural sports as a way to make good TYGERuse of her time, continue to stay in shape and vent emotion. One day, she hopes to return to athletics as a coach orCONSTRUCTION mentor. & REMODELING TYGERTYGERCONSTRUCTIONSIDING • SOFFIT & REMODELING• FASCIA • FENCING CONSTRUCTION & REMODELING GUTTERS • WINDOWS • ADDITIONS SIDING • SOFFIT • FASCIA • FENCING • KITCHENS • BATHS • ROOFING GUTTERS • WINDOWS • ADDITIONS • FULLY INSURED • FREE ESTIMATES ELECTRICALKITCHENS • BATHS • 814-467-9342ROOFING PA016118 FULLY INSURED • FREE ESTIMATES 217 Cameron Court • Windber, PA 15963 PA016118

217 Cameron Court • www.tygerconstruction.comWindber, PA 15963 814-467-9342 PA016118 www.tygerconstruction.com 814-467-9342 Adam Cecere - Forest Hills High School Adam Cecere takes pride in representing himself, his family, his school and his community in the best possible way. He explains that if succeeding in competition brings positive attention to his school and community, then count him in. Cecere appreciates platforms such as Stomping Grounds magazine to tell his story because it gives him the chance to show everyone how great it is to be a student athlete from Forest Hills HS. “When we say Excellence is the tradition, we mean it!” explains Cecere. Tradition is the main motivator for his participation in sports due to his parents (who actually first met at a sporting event) introducing him and his sisters to athletics at a very young age. This tradition has resulted in Adam’s love of competition. “I am who I am because of athletics. My family believes it builds character, decision-making abilities, teamwork and mental toughness. Life can be hard, and I think athletics helps you prepare for its many challenges,” states Cecere. No matter what sport season Adam Cecere is taking part in, he is all in. Cecere, (a senior at Forest Hills High School) has been a starter for the varsity football team for the past 4 years as a QB/MLB. Not only has Adam helped his team win a district title, he has set the all-time passing record at Forest Hills, a school rich in quarterback tradition. On the basketball court, he is entering his senior season as a 3-year starter on the varsity team. However, with his earning a number of scholarship opportunities, commitment to Wake Forest for and interests from pro teams, he’s spending a lot of time lately swinging a bat and taking ground balls. Currently a 3-year starter for the varsity team as pitcher or corner infield, Cecere also played for U.S. Elite and was given some great exposure opportunities. He has learned a lot about leadership. He also played for Flood City Elite, where he learned there are skilled players all over this country and if he wanted to be one of the best, he was going to have to work harder. Cecere loves watching film and breaking down his team’s performance, his individual performance and identifying patterns, strengths and weaknesses of his opponents. He can spend hours watching and analyzing film. He believes that film study has made him a better overall player and leader. Cecere credits his coaches and teammates throughout the years to his success. Each coach, (including his father), has taught him how to set and reach goals, how to prepare, compete and handle both victory and defeat. He also has had some hard-working teammates through the years that have allowed him to shine. He believes that without them, his accomplishments would not have been possible. His short term goal is to earn a spot in the line-up at Wake Forest University, while his long term goal is to play professional baseball and be selected in the 2019 MLB draft. His coaches have been terrific advocates for him. He only hopes he can achieve those goals in order to give them something in return. Bud’s Auto Sales in Beaverdale, PA treats the needs of each individual customer with paramount concern. We know that you have high expectations, and as a car dealer we enjoy the challenge of meeting and exceeding those standards each and every time. Allow us to demonstrate our commitment to excellence! Ryan Leitenberger - Richland High School

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Most times when student athletes are asked to describe their major highlights and achievements in athletics, winning a championship or breaking a record usually follows as their answer. Ryan Leitenberger describes, however, that one of his major highlights has to do with other people benefitting or being rewarded. Ryan, a senior at Richland High School, was chosen to participate in the All Star Santa Fund soccer game. This game includes all-star soccer players from surrounding schools picked to play and raise money for local children to have Christmas Presents. Students who participate in high school sports learn the benefit of representing their school and community on the field. This achievement made by Ryan certainly fits. In addition to representing his school, Ryan also enjoys being around his teammates, competing against his opponents and traveling with his team. Although Tennis is another sport Ryan participates in, he describes Soccer as the sport that takes priority. Not only does he play on and is dedicated to his school’s soccer team, his main commitment is to his travel soccer team. He explains that he appreciates and values the financial investment his parents have made over the years, which has resulted in him playing with and against many skilled players. These experiences (along with many years of training) has made it easy for him to play his position and determine the opposition’s next move. This is his main strength in athletics.

Ryan plans on continuing with Soccer and achieving his goals at the next level by playing club soccer at the University of Pittsburgh. Until he gets there, he is looking forward to becoming better at tennis this upcoming varsity season (for Richland) and is excited about the spring season of travel soccer. Hopefully his team can win the 2019 Open. Although he still has time to achieve his personal best in both tennis and soccer, he has no reason to complain about how well he has done up until this point. Currently, Ryan describes winning his first tennis match as his personal best. Even though his school’s soccer team didn’t have a very good record this past season, he was able to achieve his personal goal (to score at least one goal) even though he didn’t play in a scoring position. And that, he did! Ryan states, “I won my first match in my first year of tennis. Our varsity soccer team didn’t have a very good record this year but I had a personal goal to score at least one goal, even though I don’t play in a scoring po- sition and I did it!” Although earning a varsity letter is always a good feeling, it is achieving personal goals that Ryan considers a successful season of athletics. TO ADVERTISE CALL SCHOLAR PROMOTIONS, Inc. 814-410-3810 www.scholarpromotions.com Support Your Local Businesses

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Kami Kamzik - Central Cambria - 8th grade

Softball is not an “easy” version of baseball, as some stereotypes and preconceived ideas might suggest. Softball is its own sport, with its own rules. What’s so special about softball, is that it’s one of a few sports for women that isn’t primarily defined by its relationship with a counterpart male sport. Softball is also the sport that Kami Kamzik loves to play the most above every other sport.

Kami Kamzik is an 8th grade student athlete that attends Central Cambria School District. Although she also plays soccer and volleyball, Kami explains that travel softball is the sport that takes priority over any other sport due to the necessity of training and working on her pitching year round. The consensus says that there are certain athletes who are best suited to become pitchers. A lot goes into making a pitcher, some of which they are born with and some of which they acquire through proper instruction and hard work. No matter what the reason is, Kami is proving to be one of those special kinds of athletes.

Thus far, some of her major accomplishments include being a player on Team Pennsylvania and making the USSSA team. The average softball players aren’t going to make teams like these. These teams mean business. Therefore, to achieve her spot and continue maintaining it, not only does Kami practice with her team, she also gets individual training in pitching and hitting. She says she loves to attend individual training because it allows her to focus on her strengths and weaknesses as a player. She lists her size, accuracy and being consistent as her strengths. Her weaknesses include base running, which she needs to improve on. Upon graduation, Kami would like to attend a Division 1 college to play softball. Until then, we look forward to seeing Kami progress in the next 4 years. Myers Games PAUL MYERS owner/operator Small Games of Chance SGOC LICENSE #D0262 ATM Machines [email protected] Ticket Machines (814)935-1291 Offering A Full Line of Amusement Machines. Including Pool Tables, Internet Jukeboxes, Pinballs & Touch-Screen Bar Games Myers Kamzik’s Plumbing & Drain Cleaning Amusements Plumbing Repairs • Sewer Pressure Testing Bruce Myers (814) 569-5473 Video Pipeline Inspections Underground Pipe Location Offering A Full Line of Amusement High Pressure Water Jetting & Root Cutting Machines. Including Pool Tables, Internet Trenchless Sewer Replacement Jukeboxes, Pinballs & Touch-Screen Bar Games, ATM Machines (814) 472-1202 • (814) 266-5072 www.kamziks.com

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What are your main motivations for doing athletics? Why do you participate in athletics? To achieve my goal of playing sports at the collegiate level. What do you most enjoy about athletics? I enjoy being with friends and accomplishing a goal together. What have been your major highlights/ achievements in athletics? I have been a 2 time PIAA state qualifier in wrestling. I have also been chosen for SAFCA. What are your long range goals in athletics? To play football or wrestle in college. What are some of your medium/short term goals? To place first in PIAA state championships. What event/s do you really like/particularly want coaching in? I really love both football and wrestling, and I am always open to any coaching from anyone. Have you ever had a personal athletics coach before? If yes, provide details. I have had a personal athletics coach for wrestling. He would workout with me every day after wrestling practice one on one. I like to push myself when working out to a point where you feel like you are completely drained. Do you participate in any other sport, recreation, or fitness activities? I have participated in many other sports throughout my life which were baseball, soccer, boxing, and karate. I stopped doing these sports to focus on my two main sports. What other expectations do you have of a coach? I have expectations of a coach to guide and lead a team correctly. They should study our opponents and help us plan to improve ourselves. They should also teach you things about life and relate it to the sport. Lastly, they should create a feeling of family in a Upcoming Try Outs! team. Finally, what would be a successful season of athletics for you? A successful season for athletics for myself would be performing above average as a team and individually. 2018-2019 Season MORCHESKY AUTO-TRUCK & TRAILER SALES 814-344-8484 814-344-8448

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252 Portal Rd, Millwork Ebensburg, PA 15931 www.morcheskytrailersales.com Make it a Good Day, Every Day. Bryce McCleester - 12th grade - Conemaugh Valley Everyone struggles with staying motivated and reaching their goals. Just look at how many people go on diets, lose weight and then gain it back again. The reality is refocusing, changing or making a new start on something (no matter how small) is a big deal. But it’s not impossible. With the right approach, you can definitely do it. Bryce McCleester is proof of that with every sport and season change. McCleester, who is a senior at Conemaugh Valley School, participates in football, basketball and baseball. Of the three sports, he cannot choose just one favorite because (depending on what season it is), every sport for every season is his favorite. With each season change, so does his goals and his loyalty to that sport. According to Bryce, his goal is to make it to the WestPAC Championship and to the D6 playoffs for every season. He credits his sister Brooke for why he sets so many goals for himself. He admires how dedicated she is to her academics and athletics. As a result, she has been very successful individually and as a team member in cheer, basketball and softball. Like his sister, Bryce can admit that he has been successful of his goals in each of these three sports, of making it to the D6 playoffs. Unfortunately, the goal of making it to the WestPAC championship hasn’t been reached quite yet. He is hopeful however, that this goal can be achieved before graduation in basketball and baseball. Because he has two seasons of sports remaining, he is hopeful that his biggest accomplishment has yet to come. As each new season approaches, it’s time to refocus and make a new start. Bryce prepares to attain his goals by being in the best condition for that particular sport (both mentally and physically) in order to get the most out of it. Being in the best condition is what he credits as his greatest athletic strength.

Bryce also knows the importance of his academics and how they can affect his membership on multiple sports teams. He credits playing multiple sports for helping him stay on track with his academics. Because like most schools, his school also follows the PIAA policy on academic eligibility guidelines. Therefore, he would never want to let his teammates down as a result of slacking off in the classroom. Not to mention, another one of his goals is being a good role model for future Blue Jays, just as his sister Brooke has been for him. With a 3.5 GPA and the goal of continuing his education in football or baseball at the collegiate level, it seems that his role model goal has been reached. Bryce understands the value in playing multiple sports and how it relates to staying motivated and reaching his goals. As he explained himself, “by playing multiple sports, I remain focused in school, continue to have school pride and I make the school year a success no matter what the outcome is at the end. You only have one time to go through high school, so my motto is, make it a good day, every day.”

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EBENSBURG Q&A with Mitchell Chunta of Forest Hills

Mitchell Chunta - 12th grade Forest Hills High School.

What are your main motivations for doing athletics? (Why do you participate in athletics?) I do it for the competition, and friendships. I love winning, it gives you motivation and good self-esteem. I met my best friends from sports and we still continue to play together today. Sports has also taught me many life lessons and shaped me into the person I am today. What do you most enjoy about athletics? I enjoy the glory of athletics. The feeling of winning and achieving goals is incomparable. What have been your major highlights/achievements in athletics? - 3 LHAC Cross Country Course Records - 3X PIAA State Qualifier (2017, 2016, 2015) - PIAA Track and Field State Qualifier (4x400m relay) (2018) - 3 time West Central All Conference Team - West Central 2017 Runner of the Year - 2018 LHAC All Conference team – Track - 3X LHAC All Conference team - Cross Country (2017, 2016, 2015) What are your long range goals in athletics? My long range goals are to coach one day and possibly continue my athletic career in college. What are some of your medium/short term goals? - To win the LHAC championship and PIAA District VI championship in basketball - To qualify for states in Track and Field - To set the school record in the 400m dash What event/s do you really like/particularly want coaching in? The 400m and 800m dash and 1600m run 866-802-3229 List your current personal best in each of these events. 400m- 51.1, 800m- 2:05, 1600m run – 4:38 What do you feel are your main strengths in athletics? My main strengths are my toughness physically and mentally. Also my mentality because of the fact that I hate to lose. What areas do you feel that you need improvement in? I feel like I need to improve my strength to help me overall in basketball and running. Finally, what would be a successful season of athletics for you? - To be a XC and Track and Field PIAA state qualifier - Break the 400m dash record for the school - Lose no more than 5 games in basketball and make the state playoffs “unlocking the golden door”

As George Washington Carver once said, “Education is the key to unlock the Beth Felix golden door of freedom.” Reflecting on this quote has not only pushed me through my own educational challenges but also has shown me the many examples of different educational pathways even in my own family. In my immediate family, education ranges from a high school diploma to a doctoral degree. My dad graduated high school and immediately went into the Army, where he served in Desert Storm. He then went into business where his success was either sink or swim - totally dependent on how hard he worked and the relationships he built. He struggled each day without a college education. Although his formal education is limited, he strives to be a lifelong learner where he stays on top of industry trends and business management techniques. On the other hand, my mom graduated high school, and while either raising a family or working full time, she earned her bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree. She never gave up her goals and understood that education is lifelong and the learning never stops. She has shown me the importance of perseverance and dedication to education goals. Through the examples of my parents, I have learned why college is important to me and why it should be important to you. Although it’s possible to be successful without an education, the likelihood is very small and the road is full of challenges and difficulties. College education allows one to have the freedom to “unlock the golden door.” Freedom through education means being able to learn anything, have a career in anything, and make the world a better place by applying my own knowledge and skills. My education path is obviously still in progress but has become more clear through a high school career at a college preparatory school. I made the decision in the summer of my freshman year to transition to a college preparatory school from a small school in Western Pennsylvania in order to challenge myself and gain as many educational experiences as I possibly could. This switch has been transformative in that it has given me many opportunities to explore new ideas, fields, and possible college and career paths that I may venture down in the years to come. You too can do the same if you challenge yourself with the most difficult classes you can take at your school. You can succeed at any school if you are willing to put in the effort.

From the time I was eight-years-old until now, I have developed a strong interest in STEM, and I am now considering Mathematics or Engineering as a major. If I choose to pursue this path, I could potentially make a positive difference in the world by solving problems, creating new chemical compounds for future use, and even contributing solutions to address the energy crisis. Not only will the experience of college expand my knowledge and yours, but it will also give the opportunities and freedoms of “unlocking the golden door” of learning for a lifetime.

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Stroz Physical Therapy & Sports Rehab, P.C. is now FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers- Windber, PA. We are moving right around the corner to 425 Park Place, Windber, PA 15963 with parking and new state of the art equipment. Same phone number, same smiling faces serving the same community. You’re local specialty in orthopedic and vestibular care with Joseph A. Stroz, DPT, CSCS. 814-509-6089 $180 Makallie & Dylan Giffin - Conemaugh Township Soccer SIblings

Whether someone is a sports fan or not, it is likely that most have heard of Serena and Venus Williams, Peyton and Eli Manning or Tiki and Ronde Barber. These are some of the most famous celebrity sibling athletes. If you are a soccer lover, then you may have heard of Jerome and Kevin-Prince Boateng, Fabio and Rafael Da Silva and Yaya and Kolo Toure, who are just a few of the many famous celebrity soccer siblings. Chances are that high school junior Makallie and her brother Dylan Giffin, who is in the 7th grade, wouldn’t mind being known as future celebrity Soccer siblings. And even though sibling rivalry and bickering is natural and present in any household, Soccer is one thing that these siblings have in common. When siblings compete in sports as teammates or opponents there will always be a rivalry present which can be positive. It pushes them to become better athletes and teaches them how to handle conflict, cooperate, and manage frustration and aggression. Perhaps this is what has helped our local brother-sister duo Dylan and Makallie Giffin become as good as they have in their shared love of playing Soccer.

Makallie(17), who also competes in cheer and track, plays soccer for both her school team at Conemaugh Township and for the Laurel Highlands Futbol Club (a travel soccer team). In addition to playing soccer, she also participates in weight lifting year round. Also, she attended soccer camps at Penn State University, where she has received additional skilled training. She lists some of her major soccer highlights as; making the Varsity team as a freshman, being named to the West-Pac Defense first team as a sophomore, and being a player and major participant of the West-Pac championship team as a Junior. To make her high school year complete, she has her eye on making captain during her senior year. She hopes to achieve her long-term goal of obtaining a position on the women’s team at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown while pursuing a degree in Nursing or Dentistry.

Dylan, her 13 year old brother, sees a future in Soccer as an adult. His ultimate goal beyond high school is to play professional soccer for the USA team. Outside of growing up and watching his older sister from the sidelines playing soccer, he started playing soccer at the young age of 3. While he is only a 7th grader, he is off to a good start in achieving his professional goal by starting his first season on the junior high school soccer team at Conemaugh Township and scoring the most goals (22) for the season while helping his team finish with a record of 17-1-1. If his junior high school soccer season wasn’t exciting enough, his travel team went undefeated while his indoor soccer team won the championship. Achieving long term goals (like Dylan plans on doing) isn’t going to happen without putting in extra time and practice. To perfect his game, he is also a member of the Highlander Soccer Academy. Dylan credits the academy with giving him extra attention, training and support in areas that he can improve on to become a better all-around soccer player. Q&A with Robert Zettle • 12th Grade • Ferndale School District

What are your main motivations for doing athletics? (Why do you participate in athletics?) To better myself and doing something I love to do

What do you most enjoy about athletics? The friendships I make and always learning new things

What have been your major highlights/achievements in athletics? Winning multiple hockey tournaments and being a 2 year hockey letterman

What are your long range goals in athletics? Attend college and play hockey

What are some of your medium/short term goals? To have a successful senior hockey season

How do you expect a coach can help you achieve these goals? Coaches can help me grow and improve my game

What do you feel are your main strengths in athletics? My leadership skills and being able to adjust to situations

What areas do you feel that you need improvement in? I would just like to have a more well-rounded hockey game

Do you currently do any training for athletics? If yes, provide details. None, besides organized team practices

Of all the sports, recreation and fitness activities you do, does one take a higher priority than all of the others? If so, which one? Hockey takes priority over anything else

What other expectations do you have of a coach? I expect a coach to be supportive and encouraging but know when to be critical and hard on you.

Finally, what would be a successful season of athletics for you? Bettering myself as a player and knowing I did everything I could for the team.

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Trystan Fornari, an 8th grader at Richland, is a well-rounded, multi-sport athlete who is always working Trystan Fornari #12 hard at becoming the best athlete possible in each and every sport he plays. Football, Basketball and Baseball are the sports he trains for the hardest. He enjoys traveling with his AAU basketball team which is always a great challenge, playing against alot of great players from all over. Also, he plays Soccer which has really helped with his endurance and agility over the years. Whether it’s a hard session working out with a trainer or practice through his school teams, he’s always ready to go hard and to try and improve himself anyway possible.

“Trystan surprises teams as a quarterback with his ability to see the spread of receivers and actually complete the pass plays effectively. Usually teams at the 8th grade level will run the ball mostly, and don’t have the ability to make the passing plays like our team has. This was a large factor in the success our team had this year, ending the season as the 8th grade Laurel Highlands Champions.” Says Coach Day.

When we asked Trystan what his future goals are in school and on his sports teams, Trystan’s response was, “I’m trying to keep my grades up and do well in school so my chances of receiving a scholarship for sports will be better. Also, just being a part of competitive teams and trying to win the next championship is a lot of fun for me.”

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