Westmoreland high school athletes of the week: Mt. Pleasant’s Lily King, Franklin Regional’s Shawn Sinclair

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, March 9, 2024 | 3:44 PM

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Lily King

School: Mt. Pleasant

Class: Junior

Sport: Swimming

Claim to fame: King won three gold medals and a bronze at the WPIAL Class 2A swimming championships last weekend at Pitt’s Trees Pool.

She was a repeat winner in the 100-yard freestyle, where she broke her own record with a time of 48.21 seconds. It also was a pool record.

King, an N.C. State commit who is gearing up for the PIAA meet, also anchored the 200-yard freestyle relay that repeated as WPIAL champions with a time of 1 minute, 47.23 seconds. She joined Kiersten O’Connor, Kaylie Korpiel and Maddie Barrick.

King also added a repeat in the 200-yard freestyle with another WPIAL record time of 1:46.1. Her fourth medal came with the 400-yard freestyle relay, which took third in 3:38.6. Her teammates were Lainey Brown, Barrick and Riley Shinsky.

Mt. Pleasant finished second in the team standings after winning the title last year.

King will compete in the Olympic Trials this summer.

What did you think of your performance at the WPIAL meet?

I was very happy with my times and I was excited to break my records from last year. I also felt good during my swims.

Did you think you would break your WPIAL record in the 100 free?

Going in to the meet, I felt like I was in a good place to be able to do that, and that was definitely my main goal. I am always trying to improve with every season.

Are you where you need to be preparation-wise, for the PIAA meet?

(Coach) Sandy (Felice) has been preparing me well all season, and I have faith in her that she will have me ready to go for next week.

What are your individual goals for states?

I hope to improve on everything that I did last year.

What is the WPIAL medal count up to now?

12: 11 gold and 1 bronze.

What stood out the most about N.C. State’s program?

The coaching staff and the team culture really stood out to me. The coaches have a great relationship with the swimmers. I felt inspired by the coaches and team and their goals while being recruited. The team is like a family, and I felt at home with them.

How much does your training change for the state meet?

After WPIALs, I start the taper phase of training for states. Sandy and I work on the finer details and race prep to prepare.

Do you ever compare your times to NCAA cut-off times?

I always follow college swimming, especially now with NCAAs coming up. I definitely pay attention to the events that I will, hopefully, be swimming in college.

What kind of music do you like?

Anything really. It depends on what I’m doing and the mood I’m in. Mostly Taylor Swift, though.

What concerts are you hoping to see this year?

I’ve never been to a concert, so I think going to one would be super fun. I’d love to go to see Taylor Swift and Noah Kahan.

What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas, because I love that time of year. My mom and I have birthdays around that time, too, so that adds to it.

What makes you happy?

Being with my friends and family. They always put a smile on my face.

What makes you sad?

Sad movies and books, but I still watch and read them anyways.

Do you have any pets? What are their names?

I have one cat named Carter.

Are there any rule changes you’d like to make in your sport?

This isn’t really a rule change, but I think it would be fun if there were mixed relays in high school/NCAA swimming.

People would be surprised to know I _______?

I love musicals. “Hamilton,” “Mamma Mia,” and even though it’s not technically a musical, I watched all six seasons of “Glee.”

Shawn Sinclair

School: Franklin Regional

Class: Sophomore

Sport: Hockey

Claim to fame: Sinclair scored two goals, including the winner with 9 minutes, 52 seconds left, Monday to help Franklin Regional upset No. 3 Latrobe, 4-3, in the opening round of the PIHL Class 2A Pens Cup playoffs. The victory puts the Panthers in the semifinals at 9 p.m. Tuesday against No. 2 Thomas Jefferson at RMU Island Sports Center. Sinclair has eight goals this season and scored at least one goal in six consecutive games.

What did it mean to defeat Latrobe?

They had beaten us twice, and when they got up 2-0, the coaches and captain Max Rutkowski pulled us together and told us to pick it up. Once we scored the first goal we got the train going. We put pressure on them, and we started putting the puck in the net. The win gave us newfound energy.

Why is that?

We stumbled into the playoffs losing three consecutive games. But now we believe we can beat anybody and even maybe win the states. Thomas Jefferson is a really tough team, but our practice this past Thursday was spirited. We’re a different team.

How was your season?

It started out slow. I was diagnosed with epilepsy before the season, and I had to get a doctor’s clearance before I could start playing. I used to take two pills in the morning and two in the evening to control it. Now I’m down to one in the morning and one in the evening, and I feel good. I haven’t had any problems.

Do you for any other hockey teams?

I played for the Steel City National 16U Renegades. We’re in a tournament today (March 8), and I just had a four-point game.

What caused the slow start against Latrobe?

I think we were nervous. We were like chickens with our heads cut off. Once we settled down, we took it to them. We played with a different mentality.

How did the team celebrate?

Most of the older players got mullets for the TJ game. I didn’t yet, but if we win I probably will.

How old were you and who got you started playing hockey?

I played Dek Hockey when I was 3 and ice hockey 7. My dad, Chris, took me. He played, and he actually is one of my youth coaches. We actually played together in an adult league, and that was cool.

What do you like the most about hockey?

All the friends you make. W’re like family. You get to play with guys who care about you. I love hockey because it is fun and relaxing.

Does the team do anything special before a game?

If it is a home game, we go to a senior’s house and eat pasta. Before away games we head to Applebee’s.

Do you or did you play another sport?

I used to play lacrosse when I lived in Hershey in seventh and eighth grade. And I was thinking about running track, but hockey practice interferes with it.

Where do you go for a snack after a game or practice?

Sheetz. I get MTO fried dumplings and double mac and cheese. If I’m home, I eat chicken and rice or pasta, something with protein in it.

If your mom was making you your favorite dinner, what would it be?

It would be ravioli with vodka sauce.

What type of movies to you like?

I like comedies. My dad and I just watched “Stray Dogs,” and it was pretty fun. Kevin Hart and Will Ferrell are in it.

Do you have a favorite vacation spot?

Last year the family visited my grandparents at St. Petersburg, Fla. That was really nice.

Has hockey taken you to a place you’d like to revisit?

That has to be Notre Dame. The ice arena is something else.

Is there a place on your bucket list you’d like to visit?

I want to go to New Zealand. That’s where my dad is from, and I’d like to visit and play pro hockey in my family’s home nation.

What did you think about the Pens dealing Jake Guentzel?

I’m not sure. I’m not a 16-year old GM, but I don’t think they got enough in return. I guess we’ll see. They have to rebuild.

Who is your favorite hockey player?

I like Trevor Zegras of the Anaheim Ducks. I also like Sidney Crosby.

What type of season do you think the Pirates will have?

I’m not much into baseball. Hopefully better. They need to spend more money.

What type of music do you listen to?

Before a game I listen to rap and hip-hop. When I’m home and relaxing, I like country.

If you could have dinner with anyone, who would it be and what would you talk about?

I’d choose Ryan Reynolds. I’d like to hang with him and talk about the “Deadpool” movie.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Mt. Pleasant