Westmoreland athletes of the week: Hempfield’s Amelia Droste, Derry’s Jacob Hauser

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, January 27, 2024 | 5:24 PM

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Amelia Droste

School: Hempfield

Class: Sophomore

Sport: Bowling

Claim to fame: Droste has been a key part of Hempfield’s team. The Spartans won the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Bowling League title last season and are once again contenders in Class 3A.

Droste rolled a 247 and 224 to lead the Spartans to a 7-0 win over Latrobe on Wednesday. The win came just days after she won the Westmoreland County Coaches Association championship with a 620 series (215-223-182) at Hillview Lanes in Greensburg.

She finished second last year.

Hempfield also won the WCCA team title.

Droste has competed in a Professional Women’s Bowling Association regional tournament, the Storm Youth Championships, PBA Juniors and other local tournaments.

Over the summer, she competed in the Junior Gold Bowling Tournament in Indianapolis. She will compete again this summer in Detroit.

You’re on a hot streak. What has been going well for you lately?

My average has been increasing, and my form has been getting better over time.

What was it like winning the WCCA title?

It felt really good knowing my hard work and dedication is paying off on the lanes.

When and why did you first take up bowling?

I started bowling when I was 8 years old after I had a lot of fun at my birthday party.

What is your career-best game?

I’ve had two 300 games.

What is it going to take to win another WPIBL team title?

Our team will have to make our spares and be able to adjust to the lane conditions.

What other sports are you good at?

I also play softball for the Pittsburgh Predators.

What are some of your hobbies?

I play electric guitar, skateboard and lift weights in my free time.

Do you have a pre-roll routine when you bowl?

I do one-step and foul-line throws to work on getting the ball off my hand.

What kind of bowling shoes do you wear?

The equipment that I use is Hammer/Brunswick.

What is the toughest split to pull off?

The toughest splits would be the 7-10 and the 8-10.

In general, what makes you happy?

I am happy when I know I’ve put forth a good effort and when I am able achieve my goals while staying focused and relaxed.

What makes you sad?

There are going to be some days that I’m not shooting my best, but I have learned to let it go and that there are better days to come.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I see myself going to college and hopefully earning a scholarship for bowling.

Who is going to win the Super Bowl?

I will be rooting for the Chiefs to make it to the Super bowl and potentially win.

Jacob Hauser

School: Derry

Class: Junior

Sport: Swimming

Claim to fame: Hauser has won two consecutive Westmoreland County Coaches’ Association diving titles. He placed third in the WPIAL in 2023 and is a two-time PIAA qualifier. He also pole vaults and high jumps for the track and field team. He is ranked second in the WPIAL in Class 2A behind Blackhawk junior Brecken Finkbeiner.

What are you goals this season?

I finished third in WPIALs last year, and I’d like to do better this year. At states last year, I didn’t make the podium but I did better than my freshman year (13th). Last year was 12th, so the goal is to get a medal this year.

What does it mean two win back-to-back county titles?

It’s great. It’s been my goal to win counties since I was a freshman. To win back-to-back titles is amazing.

What got you into diving?

Just as a kid doing flips and flying through the air on dirt bikes, bicycles or trampolines, whatever gets me flying through the air.

When did the start diving?

I was in seventh grade. I picked it up quickly because I’ve done similar stuff.

Do you feel the two sports (swimming and track and field) help you in either sport?

Yes, knowing where you body is when you’re in the air is very helpful. Good body awareness.

Do you hope to swim in college?

Yes. I’ve had a couple schools reach out to me. I want to go to a school where I can pursue an engineering degree.

Do you have a favorite swimmer or diver?

I look up to every swimmer and diver. I’m not a great swimmer, but Nick Roddy (Ligonier Valley) and Hannah Polosky (Latrobe) were great divers and someone I looked up to. Mt. Pleasant’s Lily King is pretty quick in the pool.

Who is your favorite athlete?

I’m not sure.

Who do you think will reach the Super Bowl?

San Francisco and Kansas City.

Where do you and your teammates head after practice or a meet for a bite to eat?

Anywhere that has good pizza — the biggest pizza for the cheapest.

What are your top dives?

The key dives I hit at counties were the front triple and the front two-and-a-half. They got me most of my big points, as well as the inward double. The higher difficulties definitely help.

Do you have a favorite vacation spot?

We go to Garden City, which is just south of Myrtle Beach.

Is there a place you’d like to visit in the future?

I’d like go out west and visit Colorado. I want to go to some place where there are feet of snow.

Why do you love the snow?

I’m a snowboarder.

What is your favorite meal that your mom makes?

I like her steak on the grill.

What’s the last movie you’ve watched?

I like “Meg 2.”

What type of movies do you like?

I like comedies, Adam Sandler movies and ’80s comedies.

Do you have a special routine you go through before a match?

I put in my ear buds and listen to music that is upbeat and focus on my dives.

If there is a famous person you’d like to me and have lunch with, who would it be?

Billy Joel. We’d talk about his career from the very beginning. He’s an interesting guy, and I’ve loved his music since I was a kid.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Hempfield