Westmoreland County high school athletes of the week: Penn-Trafford’s Cam Ponko, Hempfield’s Peyton Murray

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, June 1, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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Cam Ponko

School: Penn-Trafford

Class: Junior

Sport: Softball

Claim to fame: Ponko helped the Warriors clinch third place in WPIAL Class 5A as she went 2 for 3 with two RBIs in a 4-1 victory over Latrobe in the consolation game. A third baseman, Ponko is slashing .500/.549/.968 with nine doubles, six home runs, 28 RBIs and 25 runs scored.

She and the Warriors will open the PIAA playoffs Monday at Central Mountain, the District 6 champion.

Penn-Trafford reached the WPIAL semifinals and lost to Armstrong.

How did the team get recharged for the state playoffs?

We were fortunate that it wasn’t a season-ending loss to Armstrong. We knew there was a WPIAL consolation game and the PIAA playoffs to look forward to. We held our heads high and continued to work hard at practice.

What did you learn from the semifinal loss?

The semifinal loss just reinforced what I already knew: Armstrong is and always will be a tough out.

How badly do you want to play Armstrong again?

I think we are all going into the state playoffs with the mindset that it is one game at a time. If we happen to face Armstrong, we have to have the mindset that it’s just another game. If we play that way, our chances of playing at our best are much higher.

Do you remember the 2019 Warriors softball team winning a PIAA championship? Any lasting memories?

No, I was not there, but coach (Denny) Little always reminds us that we can get there again.

Can this year’s team make a run in the state tournament?

Yes, I believe we have the ability and talent to make a good run.

What colleges are showing interest in you so far?

IUP has offered me a scholarship, and there are a few other schools that have shown interest.

What travel team are you playing for this summer?

Team Pennsylvania, traveling to Ohio, New Jersey, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Have you always played third base?

When I was younger, my main position was second base before being shifted to third base. I also pitched for a number of years.

What other summer plans are you looking forward to?

Softball will be the majority of my summer with tournaments almost every weekend, so when I do have a small break, I look forward to my family beach vacations.

Do you have any unique hobbies or talents?

One of my favorite hobbies is just being outside running around with my dogs.

Before I play a game I must?

I literally have no game-day routine.

What other sports do you play?

Volleyball.

What sport are you secretly good at?

Pickleball.

Who is the best pitcher you have faced?

I would say Riley Miller (of Hempfield) is the best pitcher I’ve faced. She has both speed and good ball movement.

Did you get to watch the Penn-Trafford baseball team win the WPIAL championship?

Yes, it was a very exciting game to watch.

Do you consider yourself a power hitter?

I feel like I can hit for both average and power. There’s nothing better than hitting a line drive in the gap for a double.

Your uncle, Mark, was a standout football player at Franklin Regional and Pitt. Is that where you get your athletic talent from?

I would say I get my athletic talent from my mom. She played basketball at Gannon University and was really good. My grandma was a softball player, too, so she’s always been there giving me advice.

Has she given you any sports advice?

No, but my dad has. My dad has always been there guiding me through my athletic career and keeping me even throughout the highs and lows of softball.

Who is your favorite athlete?

I don’t really have a favorite athlete. But there are so many softball players and athletes in general that I look up to. Whether it’s physically or mentally, there’s a lot of skills and tips I’ve picked up throughout the years from watching other athletes.

Why do you wear No. 17?

My usual number, No. 8, was taken, so I decided to take 17 for the simple reason that one plus seven is eight and that was good enough for me.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Working to complete my college degree.

What makes you happy?

Food.

What makes you sad?

My teammate and good friend, Mack Keenan, leaving for the Naval Academy in a month.

True or false: The Pirates will make the playoffs.

I went to my first Pirate game just the other day, and it was a good game to watch. So, yes, I do see them making the playoffs.

Peyton Murray

School: Hempfield

Class: Senior

Sport: Track and field

Claim to fame: Murray won his second consecutive PIAA Class 3A discus title. His winning throw of 186 feet, 6 inches beat his previous best of 186-3. Both throws came at Shippensburg’s Seth Grove Stadium. Murray finished second at the WPIAL meet to Penn-Trafford senior Matt Sarnowski. He was a WPIAL champion in 2023. He placed sixth in the state in the shot put this season after placing second as a junior. His best shot put throw was 59-1. The senior will continue his academic and athletic career at Notre Dame.

What did it mean to win back-to-back PIAA titles?

It was pretty awesome. It showed all my hard work paid off and coming back after placing second at WPIALs.

Did you achieve your goals?

Numbers wise, no. I thought I’d be a lot closer to 200 feet in the discus and 60 in the shot. The wind didn’t favor me in the discus. I still have two meets to achieve the shot goal: Wednesday at Slippery Rock and at the New Balance Nationals June 13-16 at Penn in Philadelphia.

What did it mean being the first male at Hempfield to win back-to-back titles?

Being the first at the school is awesome, especially with the long legacy of throwers at Hempfield. It’s pretty cool to go back-to-back. It wasn’t easy.

Other than your coach and dad (Dave Murray), who are others who helped you?

My brother Alex was a big influence along with Dan Norris, Bella Gera, Makenna Orie and Liz Tapper. They pushed and encouraged me.

When did you start throwing?

I competed in the shot put when I was 3. I think I threw it 2 feet. It wasn’t until seventh grade that I started throwing the discus.

Why did you pick Notre Dame?

It’s just a great school for me academically and athletically. Everything is good, and the coaches are awesome. I plan to major in business.

Did you participate in any other sport at Hempfield?

No, just indoor and outdoor track.

What are you goals in college?

It’s too soon to set them. I guess I’d like to be an ACC champion, an NCAA All-American and an NCAA champion.

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

We either go to Frosty Shack for ice cream or Dino’s for sweet and hot extra crispy wings.

What is your favorite meal your mom or dad makes you?

A medium-rare steak (filet).

Sheetz or Get Go?

Sheetz. They have better variety of food.

Your favorite vacation spot?

We went to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, last year, and I loved it.

Where would your dream vacation spot?

I want to go to Europe.

What is something about you that would surprise your friends?

I guess how much I throw and lift.

Best pizza place in Hempfield Township?

We like Jioio’s.

What do you think about the Steelers’ quarterback situation?

I’m excited. We have two quarterbacks this year better than the ones we had last year.

What the biggest sporting event you attended?

We attended the Steelers-Bengals game two days before Christmas. That was exciting, and we attended the USC-Notre Dame game. That was neat.

What was the last movie you watched?

I just watched “A Nightmare on Elm Street.”

What type of movies do you like?

I prefer action movies.

Who was the best opponent you’ve faced?

There are a lot of great ones: Dan Norris, Benjamin Shue, Matt Sarnowski, Brady Mider and Dillon Morlock. Dan is probably the best one.

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

Ryan Crouse, and we’d talk about throwing.

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

Tags: Penn-Trafford