A-K Valley athletes of the week: Valley’s Tyler Danko, Burrell’s Leah McCandless

By: Bill Hartlep
Saturday, March 9, 2024 | 4:50 PM

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Leah McCandless

Class: Senior

School: Burrell

Sport: Bowling

Report card: McCandless won the girls singles title at the Western PA Regional bowling tournament Friday at AMF Noble Manor Lanes. She defeated Conneaut’s Lexi Potts in the championship match 211-182. McCandless, who was 11th at regionals and 24th at states in 2023, threw a five-game 862 series in qualifying and advanced to the stepladder finals by one pin, then won three rounds to reach the finals. She will compete at the state tournament March 15-16 at Leisure Lanes in Lancaster. McCandless was second in the Northeast division during the regular season with a 203.63 average and threw a 300 game during a match Dec. 6 at Wildlife Lanes.

How did you bowl Friday at regionals?

In the first five qualifying rounds, I didn’t do so good. In the stepladder finals, I was very proud of myself because I bowled over 200 each game.

What did it take to win?

It took my dad (Mark) saying I’m still in this, I still got this. Just reassuring me that If I want it badly, I can get it.

What was the competition like?

It was tough. There was a lot of really good individuals who had really good scores, so it made me a bit nervous. I was able to overcome that.

Did having experience with that tournament and format help?

I did. I knew that the first qualifying games, they would be rough. Once you get to (the stepladder finals) in the top 12, you just kind of let yourself go and hope you can make first.

Is that amount of bowling difficult or intimidating?

To bowl five games is a bit strenuous. They are very tough. When you make (the stepladder finals), you feel very powerful in a sense, so to push through those four games, I wasn’t in any pain after nine games. It’s the longest format in high school bowling. Not many tournaments are set up like this.

What are your goals for the state tournament?

Just do my best. Go there and have fun. I’d like to place top five. In past years, I haven’t done so well, so having fun is my main goal.

How did you get started in bowling?

My dad owns a bowling center (Wildlife Lanes), so it’s kind of in my blood to bowl. I started bowling at age 5. I started doing competition at 8. Every summer, we travel out of state for a big national tournament. Traveling out of state is kind of the name of the game to get scholarship money.

What are some of your strengths in the sport?

I think I’m really good at picking up 10 pins, the corner pin on the right. It’s usually the hardest pin in bowling and can be very nerve-wracking to pick up.

Have you made plans for next fall?

I have not. I’m undecided. I’d like to do collegiate bowling, but I’m not sure where I want to go yet.

What do you want to study?

I’m interested in media and web design.

What is your favorite home-cooked meal?

Lasagna.

What is your favorite local restaurant?

Mogies.

What celebrity would you like to meet?

Emma Watson.

Do you listen to music between matches?

I do on the drive to tournaments. Either pop or very relaxing music, sort of R&B.

What is something people might not know about you?

I used to be a dancer. Just all in general.

Tyler Danko

Class: Senior

School: Valley

Sport: Hockey

Report card: Danko, who plays for Burrell as part of a co-op, had two goals and an assist in an 8-2 win over Morgantown in the PIHL Division II quarterfinals Monday at Pittsburgh Ice Arena. Danko had 18 goals and 20 assists for 38 points during the regular season. He also was a first-team outfielder last spring for the Valley baseball team and will continue his career at Pitt-Johnstown.

How did the team play against Morgantown on Monday?

I think we played really good. I could tell as soon as everyone walked into the rink how the game was gonna go. Everyone was ready. The warm-up was good. As soon as the game started, we looked good. Everyone was moving the puck well.

What are some things the team is doing well at this point in the season?

Our team has always had the offense. We have three solid forward lines, and all three can score. Our goalie has been heating up and playing well. We have a couple offensive defensemen who can score as well.

What will it take to beat Deer Lakes next week?

We need to play like we’ve been playing. If we move the puck and play as a team, we’ll be perfectly fine.

What’s it like to play alongside players from Burrell, a rival in all other sports?

It’s funny. I play baseball against Burrell and have known some of those kids (for a long time). I think it’s a cool kind of atmosphere we have. We all hang out outside of hockey. We’re all friends, which is cool because we are rivals most of the time.

How have you been able to manage hockey still going and baseball starting?

I love to do it. I love both of the things I do. I like to stay busy. I’ve done it pretty much my whole life. Hockey is kind of coming to and end for me, so I’m trying to enjoy every moment I can.

What are your expectations for the Valley baseball team this season?

Big expectations for sure. This is the best team Valley has had in a very long time. We are solid on both sides of the ball, a very good pitching staff. I think we’ll go for section and, hopefully, give Riverside a run for their money in the playoffs.

Where will you be playing?

I’m an outfielder and pitcher.

Why did you decide to commit to Pitt-Johnstown?

I went there the first time and met the coach and really liked him. He seemed like he was really interested in me. I went up the second time and met the team and saw how they interacted. I like the atmosphere and the chemistry. Pitt-Johnstown plays in a good, competitive division at the D-II level, so that seemed like the best fit for me.

What will you study?

Criminal justice.

How does hockey help you with baseball?

Hockey keeps me in shape for baseball season. Baseball helps me with hand-eye coordination. The main thing is with faceoffs. Baseball really helps with that.

What are your thoughts on the Penguins trading Jake Guentzel?

I don’t really like it. I really liked him. He was a big part of their Stanley Cup run. It’s kinda sad, honestly.

What is your favorite home-cooked meal?

I like my mom’s salmon.

What is your favorite local restaurant?

Rey Azteca.

What celebrity would you like to meet?

Beetlejuice.

What is something people might not know about you?

I’m kind of a history nerd. I like history. That’s my favorite subject.

Bill Hartlep is the TribLive sports editor. A Pittsburgh native and Point Park graduate, he joined the Trib in 2004, covering high school sports. He held various editing roles before assuming his current position in 2019. He can be reached at bhartlep@triblive.com.

Tags: Burrell, Valley