Westmoreland athletes of the week: Franklin Regional’s Colton Camacho, Latrobe’s Rachel Ridilla

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, January 8, 2019 | 4:45 PM

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Colton Camacho

School: Franklin Regional

Sport: Wrestling

Class: Senior

Claim to fame: Camacho (19-2), a Pitt recruit, captured his fourth Westmoreland County Coaches’ Association wrestling tournament title after defeating Derry’s Ty Cymmerman by a 13-3 major decision in the 126-pound bout at Norwin on Saturday.

“It’s a great accomplish to win four county titles,” he said. “It’s a tough accomplishment. It’s a big deal to me to never have a state title under my belt. I’m looking to get my first one this year.”

What made you commit to Pitt?

Their recruiting is top notch. The team is doing great, and the coaching staff is very good to me. They are right in my backyard. I feel like I can get better there and achieve my goals.

How does it feel to be a four-time WCCA champion?

It’s a great accomplishment, and it’s hard to do. It means a lot to me. To be on the same level as the other guys in the past to accomplish this means a lot to me.

What do you need to do to end up on top of the podium at states?

I need to do the same thing I was doing with my training. I did really well with workouts and training. I can’t stop wrestling or I wasn’t wrestling my style last year.

What do you want to be remembered for when you graduate?

I want to be remembered for scoring a lot points and wrestling all the time, keep going and putting points on the board.

What is your favorite meal?

I go to Applebee’s just for the four-cheese mac ‘n cheese with honey pepper chicken tenders.

Rachel Ridilla

School: Latrobe

Sport: Basketball

Class: Sophomore

Claim to fame: Ridilla, who is averaging 15.5 points, scored 27 to guide Latrobe (7-2, 3-2) to a 72-55 win over Laurel Highlands in Section 3-5A action on Jan. 3.

“It’s nice starting as a sophomore. It’s a little bit of pressure. We are doing good this season. I went out there and played. I tried to do my best,” Ridilla said.

What has been the key to the team’s three game-winning streak?

The chemistry. We work so well together. We know how we like to play, and we work well together. It keeps us going.

What did the team learn after the back-to-back losses to Oakland Catholic and Penn Hills?

Unforced turnovers and keeping our focus. We would get distracted for a couple minutes and dig ourselves a hole. We need to keep our focus and turnovers down, and we will be tough to beat.

How would you describe your style of play?

I think I try to play confidently. I’m a team player. I try to be as much of team player as I can.

What has been the key to your success this season?

All the hard work I put in over the summer got me where I am right now.

What’s your earliest memory of playing basketball?

My grandparents bought my brother and I a basketball hoop for Christmas when I was 5 or 6.

Andrew John is a freelance writer.

Tags: Franklin Regional, Latrobe