The champ is here: Latrobe players rewarded with title belt

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Wednesday, December 25, 2024 | 11:01 AM

If you’re wearing the belt at Latrobe, you must have had a big game.

Wildcats coach Mackenzie Livingston gives out the “Wildcat of the Game” championship belt this season as a reward for outstanding play.

The winner feels like a WWE champion walking out to answer the bell.

The belt is legit: a large, gold-plated “buckle” about the size of a basketball flanked by more bling and a leather wraparound.

“I want to motivate my girls to go out of their comfort zone this season, since we are a very inexperienced team,” Livingston said. “We only have one player who played varsity consistently, and I want to encourage the girls to be more confident during games. I figured (the belt) would do just that.”

Livingston tries to bring excitement to the program, not to mention high energy. Remember, last year after Latrobe clinched a playoff spot, Livingston and the players jumped into the school swimming pool.

“My players love the idea behind it and really support each other when they win the belt,” the coach said. “The player can wear it around school or take it wherever they want until the next game.”

Wildcats senior Carley Berk’s family is well acquainted with Andrew Lazarchik, who owns Wildcat Championship Belts in Latrobe, a nationally renowned company that has produced waist medallions for pro wrestling, the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, the NBA, PGA and many other entities.

Lazarchik sponsors the Latrobe girls team.

Maggie Maiers, Julianna Bulebosh and Berk were the first three recipients of the belt.

“When I got the MVP belt, I wore it for the rest of the day,” Maiers said. “I took it home and showed my family.”

Livingston hopes the added incentive also helps to set an example for the team.

“It represents not just who scored the most points but who made a positive impact in the game,” Livingston said.

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

Tags: Latrobe