Penn Hills’ Trower twins to continue running at next level

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, July 12, 2018 | 10:51 PM

After redeeming himself during his senior track and field season, Penn Hills Alex Trower finally made his collegiate decision for this fall.

Surrounded by family members, Alex and his twin brother, Wes, signed their letter of intent July 10 to attend Mount Union in the fall.

Alex, the WPIAL Class AAA 100-meter champion, was waiting for more offers to come, but nothing compared to running for the defending NCAA Division III indoor and outdoor track program. Alex was also considering Rutgers. Mount Union is part of the Ohio Athletic Conference.

“I knew I wanted to go somewhere with that caliber of competition and be around people to push me to take me to the next level,” Alex said.

During his senior season, Alex captured the 100-meter title in 10.69 seconds to break the old school record set by Jeffrey Austin (10.74) at the state meet in 1980.

Alex also took second in the 200 in 21.90. Hempfield’s Eudel Moreta took first in 21.81.

However, after dealing with a hamstring injury during states, Alex didn’t qualify in the top seven to reach the finals and finished 12th in the 100 (11.09).

Because of the hamstring injury, Alex was unable to run the 200. He currently holds the school record in the 200.

“Even though I had a really good season, I stayed under the radar. The one thing I liked about Mount Union was when I went on a visit, they were really serious, even though they are a Division III school they had a Division I mentality. I know their coaching staff and people on the team can get me better,” Alex said.

“Coming back to Penn Hills, I was able to prove I was the best sprinter in Penn Hills history. Anything I didn’t do is just motivation going into the future.”

Even though the Trower twins didn’t set their sights on attending college together, all roads eventually led back to them continuing their journey together. The Trowers went on a visit to Mount Union on Oct. 23 and fell in love with the campus and the track program.

“I feel like it happened organically. I was just focusing on myself and where I was going,” Wes said.

“It wasn’t a tough decision because I knew I was going to go somewhere great and get great competition. I feel at Mount Union I can make an immediate impact as a freshman. I can develop under their system and hopefully become a national champion,” Alex said.

Alex, who wants to major in broadcast journalism and sports management, will look to make an immediate impact at Mount Union in the 100 and 200, as well as the relay teams.

Wes, who wants to major in broadcast journalism and film, will run the 400 and 800, in addition to competing in cross country.

Andrew John is a freelance writer.