Westmoreland athletes of the week: Mt. Pleasant’s Morgan Gesinski, Greensburg Salem’s Hunter Webb

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, October 7, 2023 | 7:02 PM

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Morgan Gesinski

School: Mt. Pleasant

Class: Sophomore

Sport: Soccer

Claim to fame: Gesinski, one of the top goal scorers in WPIAL Class 2A, had five in a 14-0 win over Ligonier Valley, then added another score as the top-ranked Lady Vikings defeated Woodland Hills, 6-0.

She leads the team with 21 goals and 17 assists.

Mt. Pleasant (12-2) has won 11 straight games, outscoring teams 102-0 during that run.

Mt. Pleasant looks unstoppable on both ends of the field right now. How would you describe the team’s play of late?

I wouldn’t say we are unstoppable because there is always room for improvement with our intensity and our first touches.

What makes your team so dangerous on offense?

Our team is most dangerous when we have good movement off the ball.

What makes your team so strong on defense?

When we talk and know exactly how to play when the ball gets in our defensive third.

How badly do you girls want to get back to Highmark Stadium for the finals?

This team of girls wants to make it to Highmark Stadium so badly because we want to build on our experience from last year. We are ready to prove what we can do.

Have you and your sister, Riley, developed chemistry on the field?

Absolutely. Riley and I have always worked well on the soccer field ever since we were younger. We usually know what the other is thinking, and we can just play off of what we each think.

If you could change a rule in soccer, what would it be?

To have kick-ins instead of throw-ins, because throwing the ball in doesn’t always work best.

Does WPIAL soccer need a better mercy rule?

Soccer is kind of tough because the clock doesn’t stop much, but the mercy rule could include reducing players when up by eight goals.

What’s your nickname?

Mo-G.

What other sports are you good at?

Basketball.

Who is the fastest player on your team?

Riley Gesinski.

Who is the toughest?

Me or Maggie Piper; We both seem to scare some people.

Who is the most competitive?

Me and Riley because whenever we are partners for something, we are always competing to see who is the best at what we are doing.

If you could pick an NIL deal, what would you like to endorse most?

Tesla, so I could get one to drive.

Do you wish the soccer team could run out through the inflatable Viking, with the smoke and all, like the football team does?

Of course, that would be so cool.

Who is best player you’ve played against?

Micayla Johnson, who played for Michigan Nationals Blue (Ga.) but now plays for Michigan Hawks (ECNL), and Fiona Mahan from Avonworth.

Who is your favorite pro soccer club?

Inter Miami CF, because of Messi.

Why are the Steelers struggling?

I don’t really know, but they need to do better.

Hunter Webb

School: Greensburg Salem

Class: Senior

Sport: Hockey

Claim to fame: The senior turned in a solid week to open the season. He scored the first goal of the season in leading the Golden Lions to a 3-1 victory against Mars. He then added two goals and two assists as the Golden Lions routed Kiski Area, 13-0.

How old were you when you first started playing hockey?

I began when I was 5 and have been playing for 12 years.

Who got you started?

My dad (Miles Webb) and uncle (Nick Rosatti) got me involved. I fell in love with it when I began.

What’s the favorite part of playing hockey?

Probably the players and being with my friends. We’ve been playing hockey since third grade.

What do you remember about the first time you stepped on the ice?

I definitely was nervous. Other than that, I don’t remember too much except I liked it, and it was at Nevin Arena.

What’s your most memorable moment in hockey?

It was our win against Shaler in the Class A playoffs last year. We played a great game, and the atmosphere was crazy.

What was nice about your victory against Kiski Area?

They beat us in the semifinals last year. So we got a little bit of revenge. I know it’s not the same players, but it was still nice to beat them.

What are the team goals this year?

We want to win the Pens Cup. To do that, we have to stay focused and continue to work hard. Everyone on the team has to do their jobs.

What are you personal goals?

I always set a goal of scoring at least one point in every game I play.

Who your favorite NHL player?

Sidney Crosby is my favorite player. I like how he represents the NHL and the team. He’s a great leader.

What’s it tell you about Crosby after he fought in an exhibition game?

It shows his leadership and how he sticks up for his teammates. I just watched the replay, and that was crazy.

What is your favorite NHL team?

The Penguins are my favorite team. There isn’t one particular moment that’s special to me.

Do you want to play hockey after high school?

I’m thinking about playing in college. I just don’t know where.

If your mom was making you your favorite meal, what would it be?

I like her breaded chicken.

What is your go-to place after a game or practice?

I like to go to Denny’s for French toast.

What music do you listen to?

I like rap and country music. My favorite musicians are Zach Bryan and Koe Wetzel.

If you had to pay for a concert, who would you go see?

I’d go see Zach Bryan.

Where is your favorite vacation spot?

I like to go to my camp in Potter County. There are good fishing areas nearby. My family likes to fly fish. One of my favorite hobbies is tying flies. The largest fish I caught was a 27-inch steelhead trout in Lake Erie.

Where would your dream vacation spot be?

I’d like to go to Montana to hunt and fish.

Do you have a favorite vehicle you’d like to own?

Any style of pickup truck would be fine.

If you could have dinner with someone famous, who would it be and what would you talk about?

I’d like to have dinner with Mario Lemieux and we’d talk about hockey, his experiences and about winning the Stanley Cup.

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

Tags: Mt. Pleasant