TribLive HSSN athletes of the week: NA’s Zach Kline, Moon’s Rhianna Firmstone

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, September 18, 2018 | 4:36 PM

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Zach Kinne

School: North Allegheny

Class: Senior

Sport: Cross country

Claim to fame: Kinne won the Red, White and Blue Invitational with a time of 15 minutes, 33.52 seconds — a new school record — at the Schenley Oval on Sept. 8. Kinne was nominated by MileSplit USA for the Boys National Performer of the Week Award for his performance at the 16th annual event that drew 280 boys in Class AAA.

“It was definitely an exciting accomplishment, especially because it was my first invite of the season,” Kinne said. “Running against big names and big teams was special to be a part of. It’s really a confidence booster for me going into my invites in the future.”

What’s your typical training schedule?

During the school year, I usually hit anywhere between 50 to 65 miles per week. I have one long run, a couple faster runs mixed in there and then some longer, easier runs for base.

What kind of music do you listen to when you run?

I have never listened to music on my run. I’ve read that music is bad for your running unless it’s to your exact cadence because your cadence tends to match up to the beat of the music. I’ve always enjoyed just running naturally than with music.

What are you hoping to accomplish the rest of this season?

I definitely want to run some fast times and learn the state course. It’ll be the first time running on that, so I want to get that experience. I’ll be running in the Paul Short Invitational near Philadelphia. It’s a big meet and a fast course. Obviously, I want to get a team and individual state title this season.

What are your plans after high school?

I plan to run in college. I’m undecided. I’ve officially visited Duke and Notre Dame. In the next few weeks, I’ll be visiting Miami (Ohio), Michigan and LSU.

Do you have a major in mind?

I’m looking at going into engineering. I’m leaning toward aerospace engineering. I’m still open to all the different kinds.

Rhianna Firmstone

School: Moon

Class: Sophomore

Sport: Golf

Claim to fame: Firmstone won the individual championship at the MAC girls golf championship at Black Hawk Golf Course on Sept. 13. Firmstone and Central Valley’s Kiara Porter each shot a 76, but Firmstone was declared the winner on a scorecard-based tiebreaker.

“It’s been an up and down year so far, and I have had some really good rounds,” Firmstone said. “I had a 35 and a 38, but there have been some bad days, but it evened out.”

What are you going to do to ensure you have more good days than bad days the rest of the season?

Well, two of those bad days, I was sick, so hopefully I don’t get sick again. I’m going to keep practicing. My putting hasn’t been great, so I’m going to work on that more.

Is improving your putting more mental or tactical?

I think it’s both mental and tactical. It’s mental because you have to make sure you aren’t over thinking it and you have to trust the break. It’s also tactical, because if you start doing something different, then you have to practice to fix that and make sure it is consistent.

What’s your favorite club in your bag?

Either my gap wedge or my hybrids. I like my gap wedge because I can control the distance really well. For some reason I’ve always like hybrids because I can hit them very good.

What’s your favorite course you’ve played?

Cedarbrook. It’s not too hard, and it’s kind of a short course. It’s somewhere I have played well at, and it’s a really nice course.

What’s the course you would love to play?

I’d love to play Oakmont Country Club because I went to the U.S. Open there. It looks so hard, but it’s really nice.

Brian Graham is a freelance writer.

Tags: Moon, North Allegheny