Westmoreland athletes of the week: Franklin Regional’s Palmer Jackson, Latrobe’s Lexie Planinsek

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, October 9, 2018 | 7:09 PM

Palmer Jackson

School: Franklin Regional

Sport: Golf

Class: Senior

Claim to fame: Jackson shot 76 to finish tied with Latrobe’s Brady Pevarnik for third at the WPIAL Class 3A individual boys golf championship at Oakmont Country Club on Oct. 3. Central Catholic’s Jimmy Meyers won the event with a round of 71.

“I played OK at WPIALs. I played well on the front nine. On the back nine, I made a mental mistake and picked the wrong club, which cost me three shots,” Jackson said. “It was hard to get in a flow with all the rain delays on the back nine.”

What made you commit to Notre Dame?

Notre Dame, Duke and Stanford were my top three. It had nothing to do with money. I think I will have the greatest chance to make an impact at Notre Dame. The coach is a great guy, and I like the environment up there. There’s a lot of support for the golf team.

What did you work on heading into your final season?

I was trying to shoot as low as I could. I wanted to win as many as events. This WPIAL season is a bonus for me since the summer is all the U.S. Amateur events.

What is your mindset heading into the PIAA Western Regional?

I came in the top four the last three years. I’m going to take my medicine on the tough holes and take care of the easy ones and try to win.

What is your favorite golf course?

I would have to say Streamsong and Pebble Beach. They both have great layouts. They are both special, and to play in Pebble Beach at the U.S. Amateur was a really good opportunity for me.

What is one thing you can’t live without?

Golf clubs. I can’t go a day without playing. I get anxious, and I need to go out there and play. Sometimes I need to tell myself to stop practicing. I enjoy it. It doesn’t feel like a job to me.

Lexie Planinsek

School: Latrobe

Sport: Cross country

Class: Freshman

Claim to fame: Planinsek won a 5K race involving six area schools with time of 21 minutes, 31 seconds at Bushy Run Battlefield Park. Planinsek will compete in the Westmoreland County Coaches Association Championships on Thursday at Westmoreland County Community College.

“I thought I ran well that day. It was hilly and muddy; it was a decent time. The competition really pushed me hard,” Planinsek said.

What is your mindset heading into the WCCA championships Thursday?

I think I can run pretty well. I want to do my best and maybe PR. I want to run my own race.

What was it like to run your personal best at the Red, White and Blue Classic earlier this season?

That was my second race of the season. Since then I have PRed. I’m working hard which is what helps me do my best. I’m surprised I’ve done so well.

What’s it like to make an impact this early in your high school career?

It’s the whole team. They train hard and as hard as I do. It feels good to be on varsity as a freshman. We like to support each other on the team, and it’s a very good environment there. The team makes running a lot more enjoyable.

What is your favorite thing about cross country?

Our team. All the runners on the team are so supportive, and I appreciate their help and support. We have fun a lot, and they are really good people. We really bond, and it’s a really good bonding experience.

What is one thing people don’t know about you?

I like to ski, mountain bike and play basketball.

— Andrew John

Andrew John is a freelance writer.

Tags: Franklin Regional, Latrobe