A-K Valley athletes of the week: Riverview’s Mary Quinlan, Freeport’s Stephen Evans

By: Ted Sarneso
Saturday, September 21, 2024 | 5:14 PM

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Mary Quinlan

School: Riverview

Class: Sophomore

Sport: Soccer

Claim to fame: Quinlan scored four goals and added an assist for Riverview (6-1, 5-1) in a 10-1 Section 4-A win over Jeannette on Wednesday. On Friday, Quinlan scored a pair of goals and had an assist against Valley. On the year, she has seven goals and four assists.

What position do you play?

Center midfielder and, occasionally, striker.

Which do you like better?

I play a lot more center-mid, but I do like playing striker more.

How were your goals set up Wednesday?

Two of them, I dribbled in from midfield. One was a give-and-go, and the other was off a cross.

What about the goals you scored against Valley?

The first, the goalie made a save, and I jumped on the rebound and put it in top corner. The other I shot outside of 18 feet.

What lessons did the team learn during last year’s playoff run?

We have to trust each other and work as a team to get where we want to go.

Any opponent you look forward to playing against?

Springdale. Not just because they’re our rivals but because last year was the first year we had beaten them three times in a row. They beat us again in overtime this year with 10 seconds left. So we’re looking forward to playing them on senior night.

How tough was it to lose that way?

Springdale said we couldn’t do anything because we lost the best player on our team, so we wanted to prove them wrong.

What’s that rivalry like between the teams?

I feel like the teams and players don’t look at it as heavily as the student sections do. The girls soccer teams all know each other, and we’re nice to each other.

What are your individual goals for the year?

I want the team to get back to where we were last year. Personally, I want to best my goal numbers from last year.

How many goals did you score last year?

16.

Do you play any club soccer?

I play for BVB. It’s a lot different than high school. The competition is a lot higher, and there’s more pressure on you, but it’s really fun. I credit my coach, David Flavius, for how far I’ve come in my soccer journey. He’s taught me a lot.

Do you play any other sports at school?

I run track to keep in shape for soccer.

What events to you compete in for track?

Last year I ran the 200 meters and the 4-by-100.

Do you have your own specific pregame routine?

I listen to music on the bus, and I have to focus 30 to 40 minutes before the game and not talk to anybody.

Who’s your favorite soccer player to watch?

Even though she just retired, I liked to watch Alex Morgan.

Favorite subject in school?

Math. I focus more in those classes, and it’s easier for me to do.

Favorite meal?

Either a burger and fries or steak.

Stephen Evans

School: Freeport

Class: Senior

Sport: Golf

Claim to fame: Evans became the first outright individual section winner from Freeport since 2015. He shot a 74 at section qualifiers Monday at Buffalo Golf Course. His score was eight strokes under the necessary 82 to advance to the second round of qualifying, which will be at the Youghiogheny Country Club on Monday.

What went on during the section qualifier?

Right off the first tee, I hit my driver down the middle of the fairway, and I could tell it was going to be a good day. It was my home course, putts were falling and the weather was nice. Everything felt solid.

Did you have any idea you were the first Freeport golfer since 2015 to be an outright section winner?

I did not. It’s actually the first time I’m hearing about it. It’s a really cool accomplishment, especially after being a co-champ last year in this event.

This is your third straight year of advancing to the second round. How have the previous two years ended for you?

I didn’t play too well the last two years. This year, I’m hoping to make a difference and make it to the WPIAL championships.

Are you planning on doing anything different this time around?

The other two courses I have played at, but the course at Youghiogheny, I’ve never actually played before. We have a practice round on Sunday, and I’m going to play to my strengths a little more and not get too aggressive. Try to settle down and take it one hole at a time.

What are your expectations for Monday?

Because it’s my senior year, I’m holding myself to a higher expectation. I’d like to advance and place myself in the top 15 or 20 golfers. The main thing is to not put too much pressure on myself.

Was there a part of your game you focused on in the offseason?

I’ve always been able to hit my driver very far, just not with a lot of accuracy. I figured I would try to improve my accuracy off the tee. If I hit my driver 325 yards, you can get to a par-5 green in two, and that makes it a lot easier to shoot good scores.

How do you get focused before a round?

When I arrive at the course, I put my headphones on, listen to some music and putt, get my mind right. Then I’ll stretch a little bit, and then I go to the range and I try to keep that session brief. I’m just trying to get a feel for how I’m swinging that day.

What are your goals for the year?

I wanted our team to do well. We’ve been undefeated section champions the last two years. I wanted to get that number to three, and we did. I also wanted to advance to the WPIAL qualifier and, hopefully, the championships. We still have some unfinished business in the WPIAL qualifier to take care of, but I’ve been pretty happy with how the season’s gone.

What’s been a key to how successful the team has been these last few years?

All the golfers on the team play together a lot. The coaches do a good job of organizing casual rounds for us to play as well as our summer program. It’s very easy when you’re playing with people you know and have a comfort level with.

Which course in Pennsylvania do you look forward to playing the most?

I really like playing Pheasant Ridge down in the Deer Lakes area. The course is in very good shape. It can be challenging sometimes, but you can also score very well if you’re having a good day.

What’s the best course you’ve ever played?

Oakmont Country Club. There’s so much history there. To know you’re walking the same fairways as Tiger Woods and Arnold Palmer.

How eager are you to see the changes and renovations they made at Oakmont?

I’ve heard all about them. It’s going to be beautiful for sure. I have a couple buddies who are members up there, so I should be able to get up there and take a look at what they’ve down with the course.

What course on the PGA Tour would you most like to play?

Augusta National Golf Course in Georgia.

Who would be in your ideal foursome?

Myself, my teammate Cam Zigo, Tiger Woods and the hometown hero Arnold Palmer.

What pro golfer would you like to shoot 18 holes with?

Either Tiger Woods or Rory McIlroy. I like Rory’s swing, and maybe he could give me a few tips.

Best round you’ve ever scored?

On nine holes I shot a 33, which was a 3-under-par. On 18 holes, it would be an even 71 at Buffalo.

Do you play any other sports?

I play baseball.

Does your golf swing ever mess with your baseball swing or vice versa?

I’ve heard people say that, and I used to believe it as a truth. They’re two different swings, and I feel like if you know both your swings, you can transition to each if you know what you’re doing.

Tags: Freeport, Riverview