A-K Valley athletes of the week: Kiski Area’s Gianna DeVito, Riverview’s Lukas Duncan

By: Ted Sarneso
Saturday, April 26, 2025 | 1:02 PM

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Gianna DeVito

School: Kiski Area

Class: Junior

Sport: Track and field

Claim to fame: DeVito won the high jump, clearing a height of 5 feet, 5 inches, at the Westmoreland County Coaches’ Association track and field championships Thursday at Latrobe’s Memorial Stadium.

How did you get started in the high jump?

I started in seventh grade. I thought I would be good at it because I also play volleyball and basketball, and they involve a lot of jumping and I feel like I jump pretty high, so I thought I’d give it a shot.

How much has being a jumper translated to your play in volleyball and basketball?

It’s a lot. My shins and knees are always hurting. They go hand-in-hand with each other, but I’m not doing any crazy back bends in volleyball or basketball. Long and triple jump also help in those areas as well.

How did it feel to clear 5 feet, 5 inches?

It was really big. I’ve been working really hard to get to 5-5 and 5-6. It’s my main event, and I don’t think I’ve ever gotten a gold medal. Last year at counties I got silver, so it was nice to come back this year and win gold.

That was the second time this week you cleared that height. When did you do it the first time?

I cleared it at Armstrong, and the entire team was there, so it was nice having them all there to support me and hitting it again on Thursday at counties was really exciting.

How many attempts did it take you to clear 5-5 at Armstrong and at counties?

I think I cleared it both times on my second attempt.

What’s the school record for girls high jump?

It’s 5-7, and it’s been up there since 1997.

Do you think you can match or beat that before the season’s over?

Maybe not before the season’s over, but I’m going to try really hard to try and get the record next year.

Last year in the WPIAL championships you placed seventh with a jump of 5-1 but cleared 5-2 earlier in that season. How did you go about increasing your jump this year?

It’s a lot of work. I’m always practicing. I feel that this year I’ve done a lot more work with the sprinters because speed is a big thing with high jump. I’ve been jumping almost nonstop since the end of basketball season. It’s also huge to stay healthy and hydrated.

You also compete in triple jump and long jump. What are your personal bests in those events?

For triple jump it’s maybe 34-5, and long jump is 15-1.

Which of the three jumps do you enjoy most?

I want to say triple jump. I feel like a lot of people don’t do it because they think it’s too hard. It’s a lot on your body, but it’s fun and I like it. Everyone does long jump, and I feel that can get a little overwhelming.

Do you think it’s because triple jump is very technical and you have to be precise with those jumps?

You have to be right on the dot on every jump. It’s hard on your knees, but I really like it.

How do you try to mitigate the stress you put on your legs?

I rest a lot. Sometimes I’ll do recovery days and sit in a sauna blanket and I’ll take Epsom salt baths because my shins are always hurting. I also use Biofreeze.

Out of volleyball, basketball and track, which do you like the most?

Volleyball. I love that everyone is together as a team and there’s not a lot of body-to-body contact in that sport. I also like how track is individual, and anything that goes wrong I only have myself to blame.

What individual goals did you set for yourself this season in track and field?

I want to make it to states this year and get better than seventh at WPIALs, and I want to clear or beat 5-7 by the end of the year.

What are some of your favorite hobbies?

I like listening to music, but I really enjoy playing sports. I feel like I’m always doing something.

What is one hobby you would like to try?

I want to learn how to crochet. My friend Octavia crochets, and she’s always making cute stuffed animals, and I’ve always wanted to learn how.

Do you have a favorite subject in school?

Math is definitely my favorite.

What’s one thing you couldn’t live without?

I depend a lot on my AirPods because I’m always listening to music.

If you were given money to start your own business, what business would that be?

My mom and I used to always say we would create a restaurant for mountain pies because she would always make them at camp.

If you could compare yourself to an animal, what would it be?

A giraffe or a roadrunner. My grandpa used to always call me that because he said it looked like my legs were always moving really fast.

What would the title of your biography be?

Something like “Nonstop.” I’m always doing something and almost never take a break.

What two nonessential items would you want if you were shipwrecked on a deserted island?

I would take a knife and a box of matches or a lighter.

Lukas Duncan

School: Riverview

Class: Sophomore

Sport: Baseball

Claim to fame: Duncan threw a complete-game shutout, giving up two hits and striking out nine, while also driving in two runs in a 10-0 win for Riverview (12-3) over rival Springdale on Tuesday in a Section 3-2A matchup. The next day, Duncan tripled, doubled and drove in two more runs as the Raiders rolled the Dynamos, 18-0.

What was working for you on the mound in Tuesday’s game?

My fastball. It was my go-to pitch, and it helped to set my secondary pitches up.

Were you feeling fatigued at all toward the end?

Yeah. You could definitely tell I was starting to slow down, and that’s going to happen, but you have to stay locked in and continue to give it everything you can.

Do you remember how many pitches you threw?

I think it was something like 76.

Do you also remember what their two hits were?

They were both infield hits. One was a slow roller to second base that the batter ran out, and the second was another slow roller to first. Nothing my fielders could really do about those balls.

How did you get those two RBIs that day?

Johnny Bertucci continued the inning with a single, and that left runners on first and third and I knew that all I had to do was to get one of the runs in. I ended up hitting a double, and that scored both runners.

What happened in the at-bats where you tripled and doubled on Wednesday?

We saw their ace the day before, so I went into the game on Wednesday with the same mindset of being aggressive at the plate. Didn’t try to change anything or do anything different. It was a big game because it was a section game, and we needed a win.

What was it like handing your rivals those shutout losses?

It felt good.

What positions do you play when you’re not pitching?

Left field and third base.

How do like the new section the team’s been in this year?

I think it’s very good. There’s a lot of good teams in our section, and we’ve been playing very well against them. The section is balanced, and they did a good job of putting it together. I’m always excited to play a section game. Can’t ask for too much more.

What’s been the key to the team’s success this year?

Chemistry. We hang out with each other a lot outside of the baseball season. I think that makes us stand out from other teams, and you’ll notice that when you watch one of our games.

What’s the more impressive stat to you, that the team has scored 143 runs or has only allowed 37?

Both are very good, but I think the defensive side of it. There are good hitters in our conference, and us playing a clean defense is crucial. If one hitter has a bad day, others are there to pick that guy up, whereas in the field, if you make a mistake, it gets highlighted.

What’s it going to take to make a deeper playoff run this year?

Hard work and grit. Battling through adversity. As soon as we see adversity, we need to respond immediately to win those tight games. We can’t expect to beat everyone by double digits, so we need to be comfortable and respond to giving up runs.

What goals did you set for yourself?

I wanted to be a reliable starter that would help our team win games, which is the main goal.

Do you have a favorite subject in school?

History.

What time in the past would you most like to live?

Probably back before the United States became a nation.

Who is one person, living or dead, you would like to share a meal with?

Vin Diesel. I’m a big “Fast and Furious” fan, and I think he would be a cool person to pick their brain.

What are your favorite hobbies?

I do a lot of photography, and I enjoy working out and hanging out with my friends.

What is one hobby you would like to try?

My brother makes clothes and sews. I just don’t think I could do it, but it would be pretty cool to be able to do stuff like that.

If you could choose one song to play every time you walked into a room, what would you choose?

“Put Your Records On” by Corinne Bailey Rae. It always has a positive vibe and puts me in a good mood.

What would be the one meal you would want to eat for the rest of your life?

Italian sausage with peppers, onions and mozzarella cheese.

Tags: Kiski Area, Riverview