Trib HSSN athletes of the week: North Allegheny’s Ayden Owens, South Park’s Maura Huwalt

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, May 23, 2018 | 11:12 PM

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Ayden Owens

School: North Allegheny

Sport: Track and field

Class: Senior

Claim to fame: Ayden Owens is finishing off one of the best track careers in district history. Last week at the WPIAL track and field championships at Baldwin, the North Allegheny senior won three gold medals for a second consecutive year. He won the 110 hurdles in a record time of 13.68 seconds, he won the 300 hurdles with another record time of 36.65 and he took home gold in the long jump with a leap of 24 feet. Plus he added gold in the 1,600 relay. Before he heads west to begin his collegiate career at Southern Cal, Owens heads east to participate in the PIAA championships this weekend at Shippensburg.

What was your overall feeling following the WPIAL track finals with three gold medals and two new records?

The feeling I had was excitement. To come out of any meet with four gold medals is no easy task, but it is always the goal. Knowing that at my last WPIAL championship I was able to accomplish everything I set out to do, is a tremendous feeling. To break records was my primary incentive heading into WPIALs. Any opportunity to rewrite the record book is one worth capitalizing on.

It's a quick turnaround before the PIAA finals this weekend. What are your goals heading to Shippensburg?

My goal for states is to win all of the events I am in (110 hurdles, 300 hurdles, long jump and 1,600 relay). I would like to break the state record in both hurdles, and that should come with a clean, competitive race. I thrive off of the atmosphere and competition at states, so I'm ready to handle business.

You cleaned up at the WPIAL individual track finals and North Allegheny won gold at the WPIAL team track finals. How do the two compare?

Both were extraordinary meets where I was able to showcase my ability and garner some points for my team. Team finals felt fantastic knowing the WPIAL trophy is in the hands of North Allegheny once again. In comparison, they feel about equal. Individual accomplishments are sweet, but when you get to do the same with the team, it makes it that much better.

How much does the weather affect you, and what is your ideal weather for a meet?

The weather this year was undoubtedly the most troublesome weather I've experienced for a track season. One of my friends loves saying “improvise, adapt, and overcome,” and that is what we did as a team daily. The ideal weather is that crispy southern California weather where those Trojans train.

At what age did you start in the hurdles and long jump, and did you play any other sports as a youth?

I started hurdling and jumping at 12 years old with my summer track team called Nadia Track Club. My coaches there were the first ones to get me involved in multiple events. I played baseball up until fourth grade when track took over. I also played basketball through ninth grade and football through 10th.

Why did you choose Southern Cal?

I chose USC due to its rich history of excellence in track and field and its prestigious academics. Academics is a major focus of mine, and I chose USC over Stanford, UVA, and Michigan due to the resources they had available for student-athletes and the opportunities they presented. The caliber of athlete at USC is unparalleled. The coaching staff is loaded with years of professional experience, and I felt they could really bring out my potential as an athlete and prepare me to fulfill my dreams on and off the track.

If you are headed to the movies this summer?

I don't watch many movies. I'd rather read a thought-provoking novel.

Maura Huwalt

School: South Park

Sport: Track and field

Class: Junior

Claim to fame: Last year as a sophomore, Maura Huwalt found plenty of silver linings at the WPIAL track and field championships when she finished in second place in the discus, javelin and shot put. That all changed last week at the 2018 track finals when she became the golden girl by taking first in all three events. She won the discus with a throw of 137 feet, 8 inches, the shot put at 43-5 and the javelin at 135-5. She will compete in the PIAA championships this weekend at Shippensburg, looking to add to her golden collection.

How does it feel to be the WPIAL golden girl of the 2018 field events?

It feels great winning all three throws during WPIALs. I know all of my hard work had finally started to pay off, and the experience of winning was thrilling.

Did finishing in second place in all three events last year motivate you for this spring?

Absolutely. After a successful season last year and placing second in all three of the throws I knew that If I worked hard enough and wanted it bad enough I could potentially win all three throws this coming year. So that really was my driving force to be successful this season.

What are your goals for the state finals in Shippensburg this weekend?

My goals for states this weekend is to place in all three of the throwing events. It's also a goal of mine to walk away with a gold medal after this weekend, but the overall goal is to PR because I know if I can PR everything else will fall into place.

How does it feel knowing no girl has swept the three throwing events at the WPIAL finals this century?

It feels like a dream come true and I know it wasn't the easiest to accomplish, but I am humbled and honored to be one of the first female athletes to accomplish this feat in the last 20 years.

Of the discus, javelin and shot put, what is your favorite and which one do you think you are best at throwing?

I would have to say discus is my favorite event to throw. I love watching the disc fly on a good throw, but out of the three throws I would also think discus is my best event.

What are your top three favorite snacks?

My favorite snacks are Gatorade Protein bars, Chicken in a Biscuit, and Sargento cheese snacks.

You are stuck on an island for a week. Besides food, what three things would you need to pass the time until you are rescued?

If I could take any three things to pass time I would take my basketball, a fishing rod and tanning lotion. The basketball to work on my handles, the fishing rod to pass time by fishing, and the tanning lotion to fix my tan lines I have from track.

Don Rebel is a TribLIVE High School Sports Network broadcaster and staff writer. Reach him at drebel@tribweb.com.

Tags: North Allegheny, South Park