A-K Valley athletes of the week: Burrell’s Mike Morascyzk, Knoch’s Giona Lavorini

By: Ted Sarneso
Saturday, March 15, 2025 | 6:14 PM

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Giona Lavorini

School: Knoch

Class: Senior

Sport: Swimming

Claim to fame: Lavorini earned a silver medal in the 100-yard breaststroke at the PIAA Class 2A championships Thursday at Bucknell. She posted a time of 1 minute, 3.18 seconds. Lavorini won the event at WPIALs in February, swimming a 1:03.03. It was the second straight gold medal for the Pitt commit in the event.

How were you feeling heading into the PIAA championships?

I was feeling pretty good. I went in knowing I was the defending champion in the 100 breaststroke, and I had some pressure going into it. Even coming out of it, I’m very happy with my swim.

Take me through the 100 breaststroke and how close of a finish it was.

That was crazy. I remember swimming, and I was close to the wall and I had two options: I could glide into the finish or take another few strokes. I chose to glide, and I remember being in the moment and it lasting forever. I thought in the moment, ‘I probably should have taken another stroke.’ I looked up once I finished and saw that it was by .03, part of me was thinking that if I took that one last stroke, it would have given me enough to win, but I guess we’ll never know.

Were you surprised at the 2-second drop in time compared to your prelim time?

Not exactly. My prelim swim was not a very good swim. I was very tired, and I have a hard time swimming in the morning. With the girls session being one of the earliest ones, it definitely didn’t help. I was expecting to drop time at finals, probably a little more than what I did end up dropping in finals.

You medaled in the 100 breast every year, sixth, fourth, first and second. How crazy is that in your mind?

Sometimes I have a hard time realizing my accomplishments. Recently, I thought about how amazing it is to medal four times in that event. I know many people who are just happy to swim at states, let a lone get a medal every year. It’s insane. My brother, for example, he’s a junior and has been to states all three years but has never gotten the opportunity to medal.

What were your thoughts and emotions after defending your WPIAL title in the 100 breast?

I was very excited. That race was also a bit of a close race. I’d say that there was more emotion in my win last year because I wasn’t expecting to win. This year, I was happy to defend my title.

Is there a spot where you plan to keep all your medals?

Currently at my house we have a little table that has all my WPIAL and PIAA medals as well as my brother’s. That’s where they are currently, but I’m not sure where they’ll be in the future. They may just stay on that table. Any time family or friends come over, my mom likes to show them off. I stay pretty humble, so I think it’s kind of embarrassing when she shows them off, but I understand, it is an accomplishment.

Do you hold any school records?

I have the 100 breaststroke (1:01.90), the 200 IM (2:04.42) and the 100 butterfly (59.18). It’s really interesting that I have the 100 fly.

Why is it interesting?

Fly is not my main stroke. Breaststroke is. The last time I swam the butterfly was in a dual meet in January this year. I lowered my time. I got the record last year around a minute flat, and I wanted to get under a minute and I accomplished that this year.

What, in your eyes, makes breaststroke easy for you when most swimmers call it the most difficult stroke?

The funny thing is, when I was younger and learning to swim, I hated breaststroke and tried to distract my instructor from making me swim it. When I started swimming club, I noticed how all my coaches noticed how it came easily to me, and I executed it more successfully than my teammates. I’m not sure why it comes easily to me.

What were your goals coming into the season and how well did you think you did at achieving them?

Going into the season, I don’t always set a ton of goals for myself. The one goal I wanted to get that I was not successful at was I wanted to get the WPIAL record in the 100 breast. I was close, swimming the 1:01.90 and the record is a 1:01.61. I don’t try to dwell on it too much. The other goal was to get under a minute in the 100 fly.

What’s it been like swimming with your brother these last three years?

It’s been great. As much as I don’t want to admit it, he’s one of my best supporters. He’s always pushes me the most and is my competitor at practice. He’ll also give me some tips as well. It will be hard next year, not seeing him because I will be graduating.

Favorite hobbies outside of swimming?

I really like to bake, different crafts with the big one being crochet. Hanging out with my dog. I also play the violin. I’ve been playing it since I was in fourth grade.

Favorite vacation spot?

Probably the beach. I don’t go on vacation a lot. My vacations consist of my swim meets. My mom likes to call them swim-cations. I went to a meet in California last year, and we went to the beach the one day I didn’t have to swim. We’ve also been to Florida.

If you had a superpower, what would it be?

I think it would be cool to fly.

What would be your kryptonite?

Ice cream.

Do you have a favorite subject in school?

I really like science, any type, but especially biology.

What drew you to Pitt, and what do you plan on studying?

I really liked Pitt for the education. I’m planning on studying biology on a pre-dental track with the hopes of becoming a dentist. They have a very good program. I also like the location. I didn’t want to go too far from home. The campus is only 50 minutes from my house, which is nice. It was a really good fit in a lot of aspects. I love their swim team and their coaching. They also have my favorite pool.

Mike Morascyzk

School: Riverview/Burrell

Class: Senior

Sport: Hockey

Claim to fame: Morascyzk scored two goals and added an assist in Burrell’s PIHL Division 2 semifinal win over Deer Lakes on Thursday. Burrell will take on top seed Morgantown in the Division 2 final Tuesday. Morascyzk is a student at Riverview and plays for Burrell’s hockey team as part of a co-op.

Take me through the pair of goals you scored.

The first one was the end of the first period, and we were on the penalty kill. There were 10 seconds on the clock when I got the puck. I was going up the boards and made a move around one of their defensemen in front of their bench. I was free for a breakaway, and I chipped it under their goalie’s glove. The second one was in the third, and it was the fifth goal. Julian Kemp made a nice step-up play in the neutral zone to force a turnover. I picked it up and came across the middle at the top of the circles and shot it back glove side, and it went bar down.

How would you asses how you guys played Thursday night?

I thought we played pretty well. If you look at the shots, we dominated them 49-18. We had great zone time and puck control. Deer Lakes has a pretty great goaltender, but that was why the score was 2-1 early on. In the third, (Jacob) Rose sparked us with a breakaway goal to start the period. Everyone fought hard, and I’m proud of how we played and, hopefully, we can take that into Tuesday’s game.

Is it as easy as you guys make it look to flip the switch and score in bunches?

I think we’re a very strong offensive team. When you look at our shot totals all year, we’re in the 40-plus range. When someone gets that first goal, usually we do just pour it on. Hopefully, we can stay consistent on Tuesday at find that spark early.

You last played Morgantown in the second game of the season, winning 6-5. How tough are they to play against?

They have really good top end talent, have a couple of guys that are leading the league in goals. They know how to put the puck in the net. Like us, they’re pretty dangerous offensively, but I don’t think it’s anything we’re not going to be able to stop. I think we’ll match up with them well and get the win.

You scored only one goal in that first contest. What did you feel they did to hold you in check?

They’re a pretty physical team, definitely not afraid to play the body. They’re also decently well-structured and keep to their system very well. I think in a championship game, we’re basically going to have the home ice advantage. I don’t know who they’re all bringing up with them, but we’ll have a decent sized crowd cheering for us.

What will you guys need to do to come away with the victory on Tuesday?

We always say to leave everything out on the ice on every shift. That’s really what we have to do. Back check every single shift, block shots, limit their shots to the outside. Just play an overall great defensive game, and the offense will come easy. That’s what I’ve noticed in these playoffs. Against Deer Lakes and Elizabeth Forward, the offense came easy, and we have a lot of great goal scorers. Luke Mink, Kemp and Forrest Baird. We just have to keep the puck out of our net, and then I don’t think we’ll have a problem.

Knowing how close you guys came last year, how pleased are you to again get the opportunity in the finals?

I’m very excited to have the opportunity once again to win. This time we have to finish the job. We’re not very celebratory right now, focused on getting the Pens Cup victory because that’s the main goal. Everyone from last year remembers how it felt to get here last year and lose, so we’re going to do everything we can to get the job done.

Are there any nerves or are you feeling any pressure right now?

I do feel some pressure, but it’s a good pressure and nervousness. It’s everything I’ve worked for, and I don’t want to let the team down. I look forward to playing these types of games, and I’m not scared at all. I embrace the moment, and I love every second of it.

How will you prepare yourself mentally for the game?

I’m starting to think about the game now. I like to envision myself and what plays I’ll make and the different possible outcomes. I try to avoid envisioning losing, try to envision the team winning. I feel that helps me a lot. Realizing the stakes that exist and reminding myself to leave everything out on the ice.

What will be the first thing you do if you win?

Probably throw the gear in the air and go to Kooper (Price) our goalie and celebrate and hug all the boys. I don’t even know, probably go crazy,

You’ve said golf is one of your favorite hobbies. Are you getting excited for the warmer weather and a chance to get back on the links?

Not until we win.

So golf is a celebratory event for you?

Sure. Definitely not until the season’s over, just remaining focused on hockey, specifically Tuesday’s game.

Do you have a favorite pro golfer?

Bryson DeChambeau

Which pro course would you want to play?

Probably Oakmont. I think that would be pretty cool. I’ve never gotten the chance to play it.

Who would be in your ideal foursome?

I kind of want to pick some hockey guys. But I think I’ll go with Sidney Crosby, Tiger Woods and DeChambeau.

Favorite film?

Because I was just watching it recently, it would be “Miracle on Ice.” Herb Brooks’ speech really hypes me up.

What will be your “Herb Brooks speech” to the team before Tuesday’s game?

Leave everything you have on the ice. Enjoy the moment. You’re going to look back on this game for the rest of your life, and you’re not going to want to think, ‘Oh what could I have done? What should have I done differently for us to win?’ Everything we have will be enough, and I believe if everyone buys in and leaves 100% on the ice, I have no doubt we’ll win.

Tags: Burrell, Knoch