Dom Rosensteel becomes a leader on offense, defense for Greensburg Salem

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Monday, August 12, 2024 | 4:17 PM

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Dom Rosensteel is ready to move the sticks.

“What I did last year makes me want to be better,” the Greensburg Salem rising senior said. “I want to add 10 more to everything. I know I can do more.”

A wide receiver and safety with pedigree, experience and just the right amount of grit, the kid from “uptown” Greensburg, as he says, led the Golden Lions in receptions (39) and tackles (82) last season. He is primed to get the Golden Lions back to the WPIAL playoffs for the first time since 2019.

Rosensteel rang up 551 receiving yards and four touchdowns, and he picked off two passes on defense.

His dual-impact will be instrumental to how Greensburg Salem does on the field.

“He’s a true two-way high school player,” Greensburg Salem second-year coach Ty George said. “He is an athletic kid who likes to get after it. He doesn’t take plays off and is very reliable.”

Rosensteel has rich athletic roots, and Rich is one of the main reasons. His grandfather is the late Rich Rosensteel, a championship-winning girls basketball coach at Greensburg Central Catholic.

His aunt is former Olympian Colleen Rosensteel, who competed in heavyweight judoka at the 1992, ‘96 and 2000 Olympic games.

She once held the national record in the discus.

“It’s incredible what she was able to do,” Dom Rosensteel said. “So many athletes never even get to experience the Olympics.”

Don Rosensteel’s sister, Gia, plays basketball at Carlow. Their father, Mike, ran track at Clarion.

Dom Rosensteel (5-foot-11, 170 pounds), who also does the punting, said the Golden Lions had a bland start to heat-acclimation week.

“Day 2 was terrible,” he said. “But the next day was one of the best we’ve had. You could see more guys were more connected and not as timid.”

George said Rosensteel has been a model of consistency in many ways.

“He’s never missed a practice or game,” the coach said. “Perfect attendance. You can count on him to be here, and that goes a long way in high school football. He displays leadership qualities.

“He leads by example. When he speaks, he has something to say.”

That is why the team voted him to its leadership council, which has four players from each grade gather to discuss morale and team-chemistry issues.

“It makes me second-think my actions, that’s for sure,” he said. “Other people are looking up to you, and you need to set a good example.”

When he needs inspiration, Rosensteel only needs to look across the dinner table. His mother, Nadine, overcame breast cancer three years ago.

“That was a rough time. That was hard,” he said. “My mom and my pap inspire me. I miss my pap a lot.”

Rosensteel also is a talented baseball player who can deliver base hits and chase down fly balls in center field.

Both sports are a possibility for him in college.

“I’m a baseball guy, but the football atmosphere is unmatchable,” he said. “This is my last year to show off what I got, and it will determine what I do the next four years.”

He plans to play basketball this winter for the first time since middle school. Some friends and other players did some coaxing.

“I’m going to play again,” Rosensteel said. “I am a man of my word.”

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Greensburg Salem