A-K Valley athletes of the week: Freeport’s Zach Allen, Deer Lakes’ Kiera Cutright

By: William Whalen
Tuesday, May 28, 2019 | 5:14 PM

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Zach Allen

School: Freeport

Class: Junior

Sport: Baseball

Report card: Allen has provided big-time offense for Freeport (14-6) this season, but it was his work on the basepaths that has made a difference this postseason. Allen scored the game’s only run on a Joe Hotalski squeeze bunt in the fourth inning to upend No. 8 Waynesburg in the WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinals. A third baseman, he leads the team in batting average (.508), hits (32), singles (23), doubles (eight) and is tied for the team lead with Matt Mitchell in RBIs (13).

How tough has the competition been this postseason?

In the postseason, every game has been close so far. Everyone we play … they give us good competition.

Where were you when you learned Freeport earned the No. 1 seed?

Me and Matt Grove were sitting in home maintenance class, watching the livestream from the Trib and we found out. We were surprised, and we yelled.

Did you and Joe Hotalski pull off the perfect squeeze to score the only run in the win over Waynesburg?

I think that was the second time that Hotalski hit a successful squeeze. He’s really comfortable in that situation because he is a really good bunter.

Does it seem like Class 3A is stacked with really good teams this year?

When we were dropping down to (Class) 3A, I thought it was going to be a breeze. I was really surprised with the competition, and our section was the hardest.

What did or didn’t happen in the semifinal loss to Steel Valley?

Well, the first thing is, I was extremely surprised (with the three runs) in the first inning. We felt really good, and it boosted our confidence and their pitcher really settled in.

Was there a point during the game when you felt it slipping away?

Not really at all. Even when the last inning came and they were winning 5-3, I still felt that we could have won that game.

What do you know about No. 3 seed Keystone Oaks?

I see that they’re a really good team, and I’m sure that they’re mad they didn’t get the No. 1 (overall) seed. They’ve been dominating everyone all year.

Which player on the team is due for a big game?

Our leadoff hitter, Austin Kepes, without a doubt. It feels like every single time in the first inning, he’s on first base.

Can this team be a dark horse if they get through to the PIAA bracket?

I honestly feel like that we can beat any team in 3A with Jarrett (Heilman) with us. We play together as a family, and our coaches have been great.

Who has been the toughest pitcher you’ve faced this season?

I have to say Will Meyer from Deer Lakes. It’s not that he throws the hardest. He just hits this spots.

How good has Heilman been?

Jarrett Heilman has been the best pitcher I’ve ever seen. He’s not just throwing against the teams that aren’t that good. He’s going up against the top teams in our section and putting up stats like that, and it’s unbelievable.

Who is the most underrated player on the team?

Either Austin Kepes or Matt Mitchell.

Is there a MLB player’s swing that you try to emulate?

I like Bryce Harper’s swing, and when you watch him, he puts his hands through the zone and that’s what I try to do.

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

I’d say “Splashin” by Rich the Kid.

What’s your favorite subject at school?

History

Kiera Cutright

School: Deer Lakes

Class: Senior

Sport: Track and field

Report card: Cutright hurdled her way to the podium this past weekend at the PIAA Class AA championships at Shippensburg. The two-time WPIAL 300-meter hurdles gold medalist finished second in the state, turning in a time of 45.38 seconds. She set a personal best of 45.29 at the WPIAL championships two weeks ago and finished sixth in the state as a junior. She is also a three-year starter at defender for the soccer team.

How sweet was it to win silver at states?

It was unexpected, honestly. We were hopping for top three, and it was a big goal of mine. For it to come true is unreal.

How close was the finish?

It was decently close. It was less than a second, but I was not going to catch her.

What kind of runner are you, start fast or kick at the end?

I try to maintain consistency throughout, but I have a decent kick over the last three hurdles. We work on that a lot during practice.

How did you find your way to competing in hurdles?

I honesty don’t know. We just decided in middle school that it would be fun to try it out. I just happened to be really good at it and stuck with it.

Did you ever think you’d have this much success when you started?

I was hoping to be good, but I never, never expected this.

What kind of advice would you give your freshman self?

The only thing that I could say is to be confident and basically understand that your hard work pays off, that you deserve to be there and you are good at the sport.

What is it like to compete at states?

It’s amazing. Just the feeling of walking around and seeing crazy athletes is amazing and to know that you deserved to be there and compete at a high level is a great feeling.

Who was the most interesting athlete you watched compete?

There was a lot. Watching the 2- and the 1-mile runs and the people that broke records was just crazy.

Do you have superstitions before you compete?

My coach does this thing where he relaxes the pressure points in my hands before I race. Before getting in the block, I do the exact same thing all the time?

What do you do before getting in the blocks?

I shake my legs a lot and make sure none of my muscles are tense. I jump a few times.

Do you have a favorite place to eat at while staying in Shippensburg?

We try and switch it up when we go. We went to some buffet place this year, which was really good.

What three words best describe you?

Hard-working. Driven. Confident.

What’s your favorite subject at school?

I really enjoy English.

What is something interesting about you that nobody knows?

I’m actually involved in all of our musical productions in high school. I’m super into fashion and costume design.

What are your plans for after high school?

I’m running for Point Park and going to major in business. I hope to end college pursuing a career in fashion merchandising.

—William Whalen

William Whalen is a freelance writer.

Tags: Deer Lakes, Freeport