Pittsburgh athletes of the week: Peters Township’s Logan Brinsky, Mars’ Natalie Welsh

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, September 20, 2017 | 4:48 PM

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Logan Brinsky

School: Peters Township

Class: Senior

Sport: Soccer

Claim to fame: Brinsky tallied two goals in wins over Baldwin on Sept. 12 and Mt. Lebanon on Thursday. Class AAAA's No. 1-ranked team, Peters Township is 6-0-1 overall and 3-0 in Section 2.

What's led to your impressive goal production so far?

Honestly, it's just been a team effort, just these great passes from Bryce Gabelhart and Luke Kelly. It makes it a lot easier to score these goals with those kinds of balls.

What does the goal-scoring duo of you and Bryce Gabelhart bring?

Whenever we step on the field and we have that kind of chemistry, it just makes (opponents) know that they've got to cover us hard, and it's hard to cover both of us.

Was it a nice confidence boost to defeat Chartiers Valley (last year's WPIAL champion) 4-0 already this year?

Yeah, they're a great team. They brought a lot of intensity, but I thought our players, every single one of them, I don't think any of our players played bad. I think we all brought it to the table.

How do you handle always playing in such a competitive section?

I think it just brings more intensity because you know that it's going to be a challenge, so it makes you play better and it makes the game more fun.

Is there a player you try and model your game after?

I have a lot of idols I try to base myself off of, some great players like Ronaldo, (Lionel) Messi, (Wayne) Rooney or just these top goal-scorers and people that create a lot of chances.

Natalie Welsh

School: Mars

Class: Senior

Sport: Golf

Claim to fame: Welsh won the MAC girls golf championship at Black Hawk Golf Course with a 1-under par 71 on Thursday while the Planets also finished in first place overall. On Wednesday, she shot 2-under par 70 to place first at Mars' section qualifier. Welsh finished 13th at last year's WPIAL Class AAA championship. She will continue her career next year at Radford.

What was the key to your success at the MAC championship?

My whole game was on. I was hitting greens, I was sinking putts. My game just felt really together and it just felt like an easy day; everything was just working good.

What are your goals for this season?

I definitely want to place at WPIALs. I want to do the best that I can at WPIALs, and I want to go to states this year, and I want to place the best that I can at states.

What will it take for you to achieve those goals?

I've been practicing with the team a lot, and individually, I've been working on my game myself seeing my swing coach a lot and just trying my best to keep my game there.

What's your favorite club in your bag right now?

I'd have to say my driver. I just got it straightened out and I'm just hitting the ball beautifully.

Do you have a favorite golfer?

Justin Thomas, because I just like the way that he plays. … I like him as a person and a player.

What's your favorite class?

Child development. I love working with the preschoolers, and it's just a very fun class that I really enjoy.

— Alex Oltmanns

Tags: Mars, Peters Township