Westmoreland high school athletes of the week: Week ending Oct. 27, 2024

By: Bill Beckner Jr. And Paul Schofield
Saturday, October 26, 2024 | 7:57 PM

Previous Next

The Westmoreland County Athletes of the Week is presented by Smail Kia. Look for the tags and look for the savings at Smail Kia in Greensburg.

Maddie Barrick

School: Mt. Pleasant

Class: Senior

Sport: Soccer

Claim to fame: Barrick helped lead top-seeded Mt. Pleasant to the WPIAL 2A quarterfinals for the fourth straight season. The fourth-year starter collected three goals for a playoff hat trick and assisted another score as the Lady Vikings wiped out McGuffey, 8-0, in the first round.

Barrick was born in Moscow in 2007 and was adopted and brought to the United States in 2008.

Has the season lived up to your expectations?

So far, our season is going as planned, and we’re looking forward to, hopefully, continue playing.

It seems the consensus among the team is anything other winning a championship is unacceptable. Is this true?

I would say it is true. This is one of the goals we’ve been working towards all season, and we would be greatly disappointed if we didn’t achieve this goal, but I would be proud of my teammates regardless.

Has your offensive role increased/changed this season?

I wouldn’t say it has changed much, rather that our three forwards up top are connecting better.

What is is like playing with fellow forwards Morgan Gesinski and Rylin Bugosh?

It’s amazing playing with Rylin and Morgan. Both of them are incredible players, and the three of us work well together on the field.

How would you defend Mt. Pleasant if you were coaching another team?

I would probably put more numbers in the back to try and stop some of their attack.

Are you planning to play soccer in college?

Yes, I’m planning on playing in college.

What other sports do you play?

I swim and run track.

Are you from Mt. Pleasant originally?

No, I’m from Russia.

What are some of your hobbies?

I enjoy reading and taking my dogs on walks.

Do you have any hidden talents?

I can solve a Rubik’s Cube in under a minute.

If you could change one rule in WPIAL soccer, what would it be?

I would change the overtime rule in the regular season, so that you don’t have to go into overtime.

You had an eye issue as a sophomore and had to wear special glasses. Did you retire those?

Yes, and I don’t plan on bringing them back.

Who is the most inspirational person you know?

My mom is the most inspirational person I know.

What celebrity would you most like to meet?

I would really like to meet Theo James.

Do you read the newspaper?

Sometimes, mainly to complete the Sudoku (puzzle).

What is your favorite subject in school?

Math.

What was your favorite Halloween costume?

Loki.

What is something you have to do every day without fail?

I have to do my Duolingo (language-learning tool) to keep my streak.

Male Athlete of the Week

Thomas Gaydos

School: Norwin

Class: Senior

Sport: Cross country

Claim to fame: The senior placed fifth at the WPIAL Class 3A cross country championship at White Oak Park and led Norwin to its first team title since 1977. The Knights finished with 80 points, and perennial power North Allegheny was second with 90. Gaydos easily could share this award with senior teammates Enzo Jiancristoforo, who placed eighth, and Luke Simpson, who was ninth.

What was the key to the victory?

Enzo, Luke and I usually lead the way and run in a pack. Everyone ran their best race. It took a team effort. Benjamin McBridge, Alexander Barrett, Mario Breauchy and William Little did their jobs displacing other teams.

What was the game plan?

Well, Coach (Brian) Fleckenstein wanted us to start out conservatively and then work our way up. The goal was to beat North Allegheny, so at the last mile we started passing people. It was stressed to us to win our pack, and we were confident that we could do it. Even during the last half mile, we were told to keep pushing.

What kind of celebration was there at the high school?

We received a police escort back to the school. We heard that there might be one, but I didn’t expect it. There was a police car, a parade of parents and friends back to the school. It was nice.

How has your season gone?

It’s gone well. I won the Blue Devil Invitational at Hermitage, and I’ve broken all my times. I ran a 15:52.70 at the championship.

Do you plan on running in college?

That’s my plan. I’m not sure where.

What races to you run on the track team?

I mainly run the 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs. I might add a relay this year.

Do you compete in any other sport?

I have competed in swimming my freshman and sophomore season. I am thinking about going out this season. My favorite event is the 100 breaststroke.

What do you enjoy about running?

I like the competition. It shows who is the best. I also like the feeling after a race that I gave my best. I also like the camaraderie with my teammates and with other runners.

How did you and your teammates celebrate the win?

We went to Siena at Norwin. I had never been there before. I was good.

Where do you and your teammates generally go for a snack after practice or a meet?

We go to Chipotle, and I get a chicken burrito.

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

I like shrimp and rice.

Where is your favorite vacation spot?

We got out West. We’ve been to Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon and a relative’s home in North Dakota.

Is there a dream vacation spot you would like to go to?

A beach in Jamaica.

What music do you prefer?

I like Country music, and Zach Bryan is my favorite singer.

Do you have a ritual before a big race?

I wear then same socks, and I drink a peanut butter and banana smoothie the day before a race.

Do you have a favorite athlete?

I like distance runner Grant Fisher.

Do you have a favorite Pittsburgh sports team?

I like the Steelers, and Russell Wilson is my favorite player.

Who is the most influential person in your life?

My sister Rosemary. She runs at St. Francis, and she is my best friend. She got me into running.

What is the last movie you have watched?

One of the Spider-man movies.

What type of movies to you like?

I like comedies and action movies.

If you were to have dinner with someone famous, dead or alive, who would it be and what would you talk about?

I’d have dinner with 1924 Olympian Eric Liddell. He won the 400-meter run. We’d talk about his life and how he won.

Tags: Mt. Pleasant