A-K Valley athletes of the week: Knoch’s Sammy Jo Barnes, Riverview’s Mason Ochs

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, October 30, 2018 | 9:03 PM

Sammy Jo Barnes

School: Knoch

Class: Junior

Sport: Cross country

Report card: Barnes punched her ticket to states a second time last week with her sixth-place finish at the WPIAL Class AA girls cross country championships at Cal (Pa.)’s Roadman Park. She trimmed 17 seconds off of last year’s time, finishing at 20 minutes, 38 seconds to earn a trip back to the PIAA championships this Saturday in Hershey. Barnes has a career-best time of 19:49, set back at the 2017 Grove City Invitational. Come springtime, she competes in the 2-mile run and is a member of the Knights’ 3,200-meter relay team.

Why did you get involved with cross country?

In sixth grade, I was in a bus accident. I got a concussion for nine months. They said no playing soccer and no ice hockey. Then, I got into cross country in seventh grade.

What is your favorite thing about running cross county?

I love the team and that it’s an individual sport. I love competing. I love meeting people from other schools.

What did you learn from running in last year’s PIAA championships in Hershey?

The hill at the end is a sucker. You’re running so well, you get to the race and it’s like oh my gosh, another hill.

What is your favorite Hershey candy?

Anything dark chocolate with almonds.

What’s the most difficult course that you’ve run?

Probably Cal U because you really have to run smart. The hills during mile two are tough.

What’s your favorite course to run?

Last year, I would have said Grove City, but this year I would say Rocky Grove (Dempseytown). There was a lot of woodsy areas and at the end it’s all downhill.

What three people would you like to have dinner with?

Sidney Crosby, Taylor Swift and Lin-Manuel Miranda.

What are you dressing up as for Halloween this year?

My friends and I are going as “Riverdale” characters from the show. I’m going as Veronica.

What’s your favorite horror movie?

I don’t watch horror movies. I’m a huge scaredy cat. The only movie I’ve ever seen is “Annabelle.”

Do you believe in ghosts?

No. I think there are definitely spirits. Maybe. I’ve never seen one.

What’s your favorite subject at school?

English. I love writing. My favorite overall class is newspaper.

What is something interesting about you that nobody knows?

I’m also involved in musicals. I do them for the school.

Mason Ochs

School: Riverview

Class: Sophomore

Sport: Cross country

Report card: Ochs helped pace the Riverview boys cross country team to its third straight second-place finish at the WPIAL Class A cross country championships last week at Cal (Pa.). An alternate on the team as a freshman, Ochs earned his first trip to this Saturday’s PIAA Class A championships by finishing fourth with a time of 17:16. He went undefeated at section meets this season and turned in a season-best of 17:00 at the Red, White and Blue Classic. Ochs also notched third-place finishes at this year’s Gateway Invitational and Grove City Invite.

Why did you get involved with cross country?

I walked over to my friend’s house, I asked what was going on, the coach came out and talked to me, and I signed up the next year.

What is your favorite thing about running cross county?

Definitely the team. I have so much fun. They’re all like all my brothers.

What have you heard about states?

I’ve heard its a very difficult course, the second mile is very hilly. I heard it’s very fast. I’m excited for it.

What’s your favorite Hershey candy?

Cookies and cream Hershey bar.

What’s the most difficult course that you’ve run?

Probably the first race we did, the Gateway Invitational at Boyce Park. We basically ran a bunch of ski slopes.

What’s your favorite course to run?

I really enjoyed the WPIAL course at Cal U. That was really fun.

What three people would you like to have dinner with?

Will Ferrell and my coaches Bobby and Palma Ostrowski.

What’s your favorite Will Ferrell movie?

“Step Brothers” and “Talladega Nights.”

What are you dressing up as for Halloween this year?

Me and my friend are going as Lloyd and Harry from “Dumb and Dumber.”

Which one are you, Lloyd or Harry?

I’m Lloyd (Jim Carrey).

What’s your favorite horror movie?

I’m not big on horror movies. I like “A Quiet Place” or “The Shining.”

Do you believe in ghosts?

Maybe? I don’t know. I thought about it, but it’s too in-depth, though.

What’s your favorite subject at school?

Right now, maybe AP psychology.

What is something interesting about you that nobody knows?

I work at the Oakmont Deli. I make sandwiches, make the soups and wash dishes.

— William Whalen

Tags: Knoch, Riverview