A-K Valley athletes of the week: Riverview’s Nate Sprajcar, Burrell’s Ella Campbell

By: Bill Hartlep
Saturday, January 13, 2024 | 12:02 PM

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Ella Campbell

Class: Freshman

School: Burrell

Sport: Wrestling

Report card: On Tuesday, Campbell pinned Latrobe’s Addysen Young at 118 pounds to help the Bucs to a 39-24 victory, earning the first dual meet win in program history. Now 7-4 this season with five pins, Campbell also won the Southmoreland tournament title at 112 pounds Jan. 6, helping the Bucs to a seventh-place finish. She also went 1-2 at the Bishop McCort Open and Powerade tournament and is ranked fourth in the WPIAL at 112 pounds by pa-wrestling.com

How did the team wrestle against Latrobe on Tuesday?

We wrestled really good. I heard from a few of the high school wrestling boys that Greater Latrobe is really good, which made me kinda nervous. But we did really good as a team, and we’re improving a lot since our first Kiski match.

What was it like to get the team’s first win?

It felt really good. I was really excited. I was really happy.

How has the team improved since the start of the season?

At first, when we wrestled Kiski, everybody was super nervous and scared to wrestle because it was our first time. Then it became more natural. Practices started getting more intense, and we started to pick up on it a lot more.

How did it feel to win the title at the Southmoreland tournament?

I was really excited. I saw this thing online where I was fifth in my weight class. All the other girls I wrestled were below me. In some way, they seemed better. I think I did really well. The one girl I wrestled (in the final), it was a really good match. I think I pinned her with 2 seconds left. I was so excited. I was the first girl from Burrell to win a tournament in my weight class.

What did it take to do that?

It took a lot of training. At practice, we do sprints and drill super hard. All the work and dedication and going every single day and trying my hardest, it shows.

What are your goals for the rest of the season?

I’m hoping to do good. I have a dual against Fox Chapel, and I hope to do good in that. I’m hoping I can win a few more matches moving forward.

How did you get started in wrestling?

It’s something new. I thought about doing it in middle school, but there was (only) a boys team. My mom didn’t want me to do it then. I’ve always done a physical sport or something. I did lacrosse, but it’s not as physical as boys lacrosse. I do soccer. Wrestling is a full-contact sport. I just like it.

Are you in any other sports/activities at Burrell?

I do soccer for Burrell. I do Tri-City (soccer) in the spring. And run track.

What is your dream job?

I don’t have one really. I wanted to be a veterinarian and then I wanted to be a nurse, but I don’t have my mind stuck on anything.

Where would you like to visit some day?

I’d like to visit Paris. I’ve always wanted to go there. I think it’s beautiful.

What celebrity would you like to have dinner with?

Justin Bieber.

What is something people might not know about you?

I have four siblings. I’m the middle. I have two younger sisters, Emma and Harper, and two older brothers, Peter and Gradey.

Do you think the Steelers will beat the Bills?

I hope.

Have you been to any concerts recently?

No, but I’m going to the Drake and J. Cole concert in February.

What was the last movie you saw in a theater?

I think it was maybe in middle of September, “The Meg.”

Nate Sprajcar

Class: Senior

School: Riverview

Sport: Basketball

Report card: Sprajcar poured in 45 points to set Riverview’s single-game school record for scoring in Friday’s 81-60 win at Leechburg. He surpassed the previous record of 42 held by 2017 grad Nico Serro. The 6-foot-5 guard shot 12 of 13 from the free-throw line and had 20 points in the fourth quarter. Sprajcar also had 13 points in an 83-59 loss to Serra Catholic on Tuesday and had 21 points in losses to Springdale and Eden Christian last week.

How did the team play Friday against Leechburg?

We started off a little slow, but I think we came together. We had a pretty good halftime talk and realized what we had to do to win.

How did it feel to set the school record?

It still feels pretty surreal. That’s something I only could have dreamed of. It took a lot, but I’m pretty happy about it. I couldn’t be happier with the team as well.

What was going well for you Friday?

I took it to the rim pretty well. My foul shots were on. The shots weren’t falling from the perimeter, but I had to make it happen, lots of layups, lots of inside work and a few jump shots.

Was setting that record a goal for you?

It was a goal I set ahead (of the season). One thousand points is the biggest goal for any senior, but I thought this was one very achievable and something I had in sight for this season. I’m getting close to 1,000. There’s still some time left.

Are you typically a good free-throw shooter?

Last year, I wasn’t as good of a shooter as I wanted to be. I worked on it a lot over the summer and during AAU season. I think I shot 89% during the game, which is the goal for the season.

What will it take for the team to maintain this momentum?

We just got to keep playing for reach other, not being selfish. Our key is just to be more positive. Every game is a whole new game, a whole new day.

How did you get started playing basketball?

I started playing for Riverview Athletic Association when I was young as a I can remember. I haven’t stopped since then.

Are you involved in other sports/activities at Riverview?

I do track and field, and I’m playing baseball this year. I do the long jump, triple jump and high jump, and I’ll come out for the 300-meter hurdles this year.

Have you made plans for next fall?

Still doing my college decisions, but I’m trying to keep my options open. It’s a whole process with recruiting, but (basketball) is definitely something I want to continue in my future.

Where would you like to visit some day?

I would like to visit the Dominican Republic.

What celebrity would you like to have dinner with?

Miles Teller. Just my favorite actor, “Whiplash,” and I like “Top Gun,” too.

What’s your favorite thing to buy at Oakmont Bakery?

It’s got to be the Oreo cupcake with the Oreo inside.

What is something people might not know about you?

I started to golf this summer. I’m not that good yet (to play Oakmont Country Club). Just some local courses like 3 Lakes and River Forest.

Will the Steelers beat the Bills?

Oh yeah, for sure. My score prediction was 17-13 Steelers.

Bill Hartlep is the TribLive sports editor. A Pittsburgh native and Point Park graduate, he joined the Trib in 2004, covering high school sports. He held various editing roles before assuming his current position in 2019. He can be reached at bhartlep@triblive.com.

Tags: Burrell, Riverview