Westmoreland athletes of the week: Norwin’s Annie Czajkowski, Hempfield’s Jonathan Stetchock

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, September 27, 2025 | 5:16 PM

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Annie Czajkowski

School: Norwin

Class: Senior

Sport: Cross country

Claim to fame: Czajkowski, a Division I prospect, has emerged as a WPIAL and PIAA 3A title contender and is one of the top runners for championship favorite Norwin. She won the PIAA Foundation Class 3A race in Hershey with a time of 18 minutes, 59.1 seconds. Norwin won the state preview meet with 45 points, 96 points better than second-place Owen J. Roberts.

What was it like winning the PIAA Foundation race, and what did it take to earn the victory?

It was an amazing feeling winning Foundation, but it was better knowing my team won also. It took patience. I knew if I went out too hard the race wouldn’t have gone how I wanted due to the difficulty of the course.

Are you peaking at the right time?

I cannot really say if I am peaking at the right time. To me, it is all mental, and I focus on every step forward. I hope I continue to grow throughout the season.

You mentioned previously about starting fast but have relied on conserving energy to emerge from the pack. How has this strategy worked out?

That has definitely been my goal throughout the season. It has worked out. I know I am a strong runner; I may not be the fastest, but I have the strength to keep me going.

What will it take to win WPIAL and PIAA team titles?

We just have to keep putting in the work, time and enjoy the process. I think with our team it is not just about winning; We care about each other so much.

What goes through your mind before, during and after a race?

God is really the only thing that I focus on. I wouldn’t be here if it was not for him. His strength has pushed me and brought me to where I am. So, all the time I am just thanking him.

What was your visit to Rutgers like?

Rutgers was an amazing experience. I loved every aspect of it. The team and the coaches are amazing and extremely welcoming, and I felt at home there.

What other sports have you played or play?

I used to swim competitively for many years, until I got into high school.

People would be surprised to know I _______.

I used to dance, and I planned to dance forever. I do not dance anymore.

What are some of your hobbies?

I love to bake.

Do you hang out in the student section during football games? What do you like about that?

I do hang out in the student section of our football games, only if I do not have a race the next morning. I honestly love how my school comes together, and our football team has been playing well.

Have you been to Pitt to watch your brother, Noah, pitch?

I have not been up there yet due to our schedules, but I plan to watch him soon. He needs me because I bring good luck.

What kind of music do you like?

I love worship music.

Who would play you in a movie about yourself?

Dove Cameron, mainly just because I love her so much.

Do you wish you had another year of high school so you could see the changes to Knights Stadium?

I would love to have another year. I didn’t realize until after my last track home meet last year that I will never be racing there again.

Can a cross country runner be good without running track?

I feel like track provides a different experience, and one that I love so much. I would never give up track.

Do you have any guilty pleasures?

I love frozen yogurt. My friends and I take weekly frozen yogurt trips to Berry Fresh in Squirrel Hill.

Do you enjoy training as much as competing?

For cross country I enjoy training more than competing. But in track I enjoy competing more than training.

What is the best advice coach Brian Fleckenstein has given to you?

The best advice coach Fleck has given has just been showing me that there is no pressure on me. I just have to run my race. It helps me just to stay calm and not overthink running.

Do you consider yourself the favorite for the upcoming WCCA meet?

I would consider myself the favorite, but there are many other talented runners in the county that can show off.

Jonathan Stetchock

School: Hempfield

Class: Senior

Sport: Cross Country

Claim to fame: Stetchock won the Section 1 Invitational on Sept. 23 at Indiana (Pa.). It was his first win since he won a freshman. He also helped the team win the section title for the first time in more than a decade.

What else has the team done so far this season?

We also won the Red, White and Blue Invitational and the Opening Night Invitational at Leesburg, Va. We placed third behind State College and Mifflin County at the Spike Shoe Invitational at State College.

What did it mean to win those events?

It meant a lot. We have been looking forward to this year for a long time.

What are your individual and team goals?

Since the beginning we have been gunning for a WPIAL team title. I would like to place at WPIALs and PIAAs.

What is your next big meet?

The Westmoreland County Coaches’ Association meet Oct. 8 at Westmoreland County Community College. I like the course because it is flat.

What is your favorite course?

I like White Oak. It is a good test, and that is where I won freshmen meet.

What is your best time?

My best time is 15:53 at Penn State course. I finished eighth.

Do you have a favorite runner?

I follow Cole Hocker. He just won the 5,000 at World Championship.

When did you start running and who got you started?

I was in middle school, seventh grade. Parents (Jamie and Kelly) got me into it. They have run the half-marathon. I also played baseball, and the only thing I liked to do was run the bases.

What do you plan on studying in college?

I would like to be a biomedical engineer. The schools I am looking at are Bucknell and Carnegie Mellon. I plan on running at both.

What other sport do you compete in?

I run the 1,600 and 3,200 on the track team.

Have you qualified for states?

Last year I qualified in track and field.

Where do you and your teammates go for a snack after practice or a meet?

We go to Texas Roadhouse for their rolls. My record is 20 rolls.

What is your favorite meal your parents make you?

I like spaghetti and meatballs.

Where is your favorite vacation spot?

I really liked Aruba. I am into geography, and I enjoy learning about the country.

Do you have a dream vacation spot you would like to visit?

I like the outdoors. I would like to travel to Switzerland. That would be cool.

What was the last movie you watched?

I recently watched “Death of a Unicorn.”

Q What type of movies are you favorite?

I like dramas and thrillers.

What type of music do you listen to before you run?

I usually listen to Rap.

Do you have a favorite musician?

Kendrick Lamar

Who is your favorite Pittsburgh professional team?

I like the Penguins.

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

That would be my grandfather (John Stetchock) who recently passed away. We would talk about how I was doing. He always liked watching his grandchildren.

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

Tags: Norwin