A-K Valley athletes of the week: Fox Chapel’s Jonathan Simon, Riverview’s Carys Kenny-Howell

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, April 11, 2018 | 4:06 PM

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Jonathan Simon

School: Fox Chapel

Class: Junior

Sport: Baseball

Report card: Simon was the starting pitcher and helped lead Fox Chapel (1-1) to a 9-5 nonsection win against Shaler. The 6-foot-1 lefty struck out two and walked two through four innings. Simon also showed up at the plate, where he singled twice and drove in three runs in the Foxes' win.

When did you begin playing baseball?

When I was 5 years old.

What's the difference between last year's team and this year's team?

Last year's team, we were a much younger team. Eight of my fellow classmates were sophomores on the team.

What's your best pitch?

My slider.

Have you been clocked?

I'm around 85-86 mph. That was last year.

Fox Chapel lost a lot of close games last year. Can the Foxes score more runs?

I think that we'll be able to push across a few more runs and get the wins.

Is this team ready to turn the corner?

I definitely think so, and I think we'll definitely make the playoffs this year.

Who is the most underrated player on the team?

I would say our leadoff hitter Mitch Miles. We've played two games, and he's led off with hits so far.

What do you predict the Pittsburgh Pirates overall record will be this year?

I think they're gonna win 95 games. So, 95-67.

Do you have the Pirates in the postseason?

Oh, yeah.

Who is your favorite all-time Pittsburgh Pirates player?

Andrew McCutchen.

If you could have walk-up music on your way to the plate, what song would you use?

There's some kid who yodels in a Walmart and I would say “the yodeling kid” remix.

What actor should play you in a Hollywood movie?

Bradley Cooper.

What's your favorite subject at school?

Spanish.

What is something interesting about you that nobody knows?

I volunteer at a summer camp for baseball every year. It's at the high school.

Do you have any plans for after high school?

No, not yet but I've been talking to a bunch of Division I schools. I've been talking to Davidson, George Washington and William & Mary.

Carys Kenny-Howell

School: Riverview

Class: Senior

Sport: Softball

Report card: After taking her junior year off, Kenny-Howell returned and delivered an 8-2 win over Section 3-A rival Jeannette last Friday. The 5-foot-11 pitcher struck out seven, walked two and knocked in two runs in the Raiders' season debut. Kenny-Howell also is a captain on the Raiders girls golf team.

When did you begin playing softball?

I think I was 9. I started playing (with the) Riverview Athletic Association's modified fast-pitch.

After a cold and rainy start to spring, how nice was it to finally get a game in?

It was so nice. It felt so great to be outside again. There's a lot of things that you can work on in the gym but nothing beats being outside.

After taking a year off, how does it feel to be back?

It feels great. It's really a unique experience playing school ball. It's a different dynamic.

How far can this team go this season?

I think we can go really far. I certainly have high hopes for playoffs and the postseason.

Where does Riverview need to improve the most?

I think just getting a lot of reps is going to help.

It's still early, but what's the strength of this team?

It's our hitting for sure. We have a really strong lineup the whole way through.

Who is the most underrated player on the team?

I think sophomore Annie Betler. She plays a little of first base, a little bit of outfield and catcher. She's athletic and feisty.

If you could have walk-up music on your way to the plate, what song would you use?

“Stronger” by Kanye West.

What's your favorite subject?

I like math and science.

What is something interesting about you that nobody knows?

I volunteer at St. Margaret Hospital. I was also a volunteer at the Miracle League.

What are your plans for after high school?

Next year, I'm going to attend Simon Fraser University in Vancouver and major in biomedical physiology and also play softball while I'm there. They're the only school in Canada that is in the NCAA.

What area in the medical field are you looking into?

I'm really interested in neurology and really interested in working with kids.

—William Whalen

Tags: Fox Chapel, Riverview