Westmoreland County athletes of the week: Southmoreland’s Zoey Murphy, Belle Vernon’s Elijah Brown

By: Bill Beckner Jr. And Paul Schofield
Saturday, February 22, 2025 | 5:17 PM

Purchase Photo Options

Previous Next

The Westmoreland County Athletes of the Week is presented by Smail Kia. Look for the tags and look for the savings at Smail Kia in Greensburg.

Zoey Murphy

School: Southmoreland

Class: Junior

Sport: Wrestling

Claim to fame: Murphy became her school’s first WPIAL girls wrestling champion, earning a 42-second pin against Woodland Hills junior Brooklyn Pearson in the Class 2A heavyweight final. Murphy improved to 14-0, posting three first-period pins, including a 12-second fall in the semifinals. She will next compete in the regional tournament to attempt to qualify for the PIAA tournament.

What was it like becoming your school’s first girls wrestling champion?

Well, it felt amazing. I get to be a part of Southmoreland history in growing the sport.

What was the key to winning the title?

Just using technique over just strength.

Why did you get into wrestling?

My mom was actually the first girl in our area to wrestle so that gave me the push to start wrestling.

What do you like most about the sport?

Just meeting new people.

Is the headlock your finishing move?

I would say it is. I usually end a match with a headlock.

How have you managed to keep your record perfect?

Just practicing and taking shots, and reacting to how my opponent reacts.

What did you learn from your second-place finish last year?

I learned that basically to win matches you have to take shots, finish them and not give up.

Do you wrestle with your glasses on?

I do not.

Do you play any other sports?

I play travel softball.

What are some of your favorite hobbies?

Fishing, planting flowers and hanging out with friends and family.

Who is your favorite pro wrestler?

Amit Elor.

Have you ever been to a live pro wrestling show?

I have not.

What is your pre-match routine?

My pre-match routine starts with a fist-bump from my mother, and then I just watch the match before me thinking about what I’m going to start the match with.

Have you followed the boys basketball team’s section-title and playoff run?

I’m not that into basketball.

Is a Scottie a tough enough mascot?

I feel like it’s not really a tough mascot, because a Scottie isn’t really a vicious dog.

Do you have a pet dog? What is its name?

I do have a dog. Her name is Coco.

What is your nickname?

I don’t really have any nicknames, but I’ve been called ZoZo.

What is your dream vacation spot?

It would probably be in the mountains somewhere.

What would you buy with $1 million?

I would buy some farmland and a K10 Chevy. I would also give some of the money to my parents.

Elijah Brown

School: Belle Vernon

Year: Junior

Sport: Wrestling

Claim to fame: Belle Vernon junior Elijah Brown (39-1, 118-19) defeated Kiski Area’s Cooper Roscosky, 6-4, to win the WPIAL Class 3A title at 215 pounds Saturday in a matchup of reigning champions. Brown won at 172 in Class 2A last year and Roscosky was the reigning Class 3A 189-pound champ. In the section tournament Feb. 15, Brown defeated the No. 1 ranked wrestler in the state, Ringgold senior Jake Conroy, 15-0. Brown is committed to wrestle for Pitt.

How were you able to defeat Conroy?

I had a better mindset and wrestled my match. I got the takedown and nearfall points in the first period and just continued to pressure him. I was surprised it was that easy.

What does the win mean for your confidence?

It means a lot. I am super confident as I work towards the state. I just want to keep it going.

How tough is the 215-pound weight class? The top four wrestlers in the state are all from the WPIAL.

It is insane. Tough competition for sure. It is really crazy.

Did you do any extra work to prepare?

I am ready for it. I knew it was going to be tough. I’m prepared. I trained really hard for this.

Why did you pick Pitt?

It’s super close to home. It’s always been my dream school. But more than anything, it was the coaches and my teammates. Everyone is super close. A lot of the guys from the WPIAL are there. We are like family.

How old were you when you started to wrestle and what do you remember about that first practice?

I was 9. It came easy to me. I had no idea what it was, and then my sister (Aubrey) wanted to do it. If she did it, I had to do it. She quit wrestling and switched to volleyball and basketball. She is really good.

Who has been your biggest influence in your life?

I’d say my mom (Liz) and dad (Aaron). They really helped me get through the tough times. My dad was a football player at Cal U.

What club do you belong to?

Young Guns. I get to face a lot of tough opponents.

Who is the toughest opponent you have faced so far?

In eighth grade, I faced Ty Watters (West Allegheny). He was so tough, it was insane.

Do you have a favorite wrestler?

No. I don’t watch college wrestling on TV much. I guess I should. I study wrestling a good amount.

Do you have a ritual before your match?

I just stretch out and get my mind right?

What type of music do you like?

I like it all. I listen to about everything.

What type of movies do you like?

I like the old superhero movies, action movies.

Do you have a favorite movie?

“Iron Man.”

Where do you and your teammates head after practice or a match for a snack?

We go to Kentucky Fried Chicken, and I always get a spicy chicken sandwich. That is always good.

What is your favorite meal that your mom makes?

She makes a good stuffed pepper soup. I always enjoy that.

Do you have a dream car?

I’d say a Porsche.

Do you have a favorite vacation spot?

I like Orlando or the Bahamas.

Do you have a dream vacation spot?

I want to go to Hawaii.

What is your favorite pizza spot in the Belle Vernon area?

Bella’s and I get the Bellas Bombs, they are so good.

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

It would be my late grandma, Christie Brown. We would talk about life.

Tags: Belle Vernon, Southmoreland