Trib HSSN athletes of the week: West Allegheny’s Braden Wurst, North Allegheny’s Allena Carmody

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, November 20, 2018 | 6:54 PM

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Braden Wurst

School: West Allegheny

Sport: Boys soccer

Class: Senior

Claim to fame: Wurst made six saves to lead West Allegheny (23-2) to a 4-0 win over Strath Haven in the PIAA Class 3A championship at Hersheypark Stadium on Nov. 16. Wurst returned for the championship match after missing the 2-1 semifinal win over Franklin Regional with a concussion. With the win, West Allegheny earned the program’s first state title.

“We played very well as a team. We played with one mindset. We had to face some adversity. We fought through every game like it would bring us a state championship and it definitely did,” Wurst said.

What are your college plans for next year?

I haven’t decided yet but I’m looking to go to Kentucky for pre-medicine. I will not play soccer in college so it will be a shame to give up something I love. I’ve always wanted to do something with medicine.

What was it like to sit out the semifinals matchup against Franklin Regional?

That was amazing for my team to win, but to be on the sidelines was upsetting. I didn’t want the previous game to be my last. It was a lot to take in. I haven’t been on the sidelines in high school soccer. The seven seniors on the team played every game since we were 7 years old. I wanted to be there for those boys. We didn’t want to end on a bad note. We wanted to end as champions.

How did it feel to earn the shutout in the championship?

It feels absolutely amazing not only to get the shutout but with getting the win. Losing in districts was upsetting. But my last thoughts of soccer will be that night and the great memories we made.

How much did the loss to Franklin Regional in the WPIAL championship play in the state title run?

We had one thought on our mind that we were unbeatable. That worked for us for a while until the WPIAL championship when we couldn’t score a goal. It was demoralizing so we didn’t want that again. We used it as motivation as we had room to learn things we made mistakes on. It made us focus on one goal to win the state championship.

How does it feel to bring the first state title in the program’s history?

It feels amazing. We worked hard for this. We were watching the high school team play when 7 or 8. To finally bring home a state championship is surreal. We won’t ever forget this. It was great to bring this home for the school and community. It was amazing we could get it done.

Allena Carmody

School: North Allegheny

Sport: Volleyball

Class: Senior

Claim to fame: Carmody finished with 14 digs and three aces at libero to lead North Allegheny to a 3-0 win over Bishop Shanahan in the PIAA Class 4A championship at Cumberland Valley on Saturday. North Allegheny, which defeated Bishop Shanahan for the second year in a row in the state final, won 25-15, 25-23, 25-20.

“I thought the whole team played really well. I think my serves played a big part in the match. I think everyone stepped up to the plate and played the best they could that game,” Carmody said.

What made you decide to commit to Robert Morris?

The program is really good. I love the coaches, and the girls are really great. The school has what I want to study so it was a perfect option for me. I want to study actuarial science.

How does it feel to have two state championships?

It feels great. Not many players can say they have two state and WPIAL titles. It feels good.

How did it feel to play your natural position this year?

It felt good. Last year, I played the role that I needed to play, and this year it was great to get a bigger role and get back into the groove of it.

Who is the better athlete, you or your sister (Erin)?

I think we’re pretty good athletes. We get compared a lot but there is good competition between the two of us.

What is your favorite part of the Thanksgiving meal?

Mashed potatoes. I love them. My grandma makes the best mashed potatoes.

Andrew John is a freelance writer.

Tags: North Allegheny, West Allegheny