Westmoreland high school athletes of the week: Latrobe’s Lauren Bell and Penn-Trafford’s Tyler Funk

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, January 13, 2024 | 4:51 PM

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Lauren Bell

School: Latrobe

Class: Junior

Sport: Swimming

Claim to fame: Bell won the 50- and 100-yard freestyles and swam a leg for the winning 200 medley and 200 freestyle relays as Latrobe edged past Derry, 94-90. In a 92-86 victory against Hempfield, she won the 100 butterfly, 100 backstroke and helped two relays to first-place finishes (200 medley, 4oo freestyle).

Bell last season took third in the WPIAL Class 3A 100 free and was fifth in the 100 butterfly, qualifying for the PIAA meet on both events.

When did you first become interested in competitive swimming?

I first started swimming at age 5 for Greater Latrobe Aqua Club.

What do you like most about the sport?

I like competing and the team aspect the most.

What is your favorite event?

100 butterfly.

What college offers do you have?

I have been in contact with Marshall, East Carolina, Buffalo, Ohio, and some other Division I schools.

Do you have a pre-meet routine?

Usually I go home and relax, eat and focus on the meet.

Do you look forward to just swimming for fun in the summer?

I compete year round, so I will be training for important meets in the summer. The only fun swimming I’ll have is with my friends at my grandparents’ house.

What are your best times this season?

24.45 (seconds) in the 50 freestyle, 54.15 in the 100 freestyle, and 57.85 in the 100 butterfly. I expect to improve on my times the second half of the season.

Do you miss playing soccer?

Yes, I definitely miss the team and the physical aspect of the sport.

What made you decide to stop playing?

It was a difficult decision, but I decided I wanted to pursue swimming in college.

What other sports are you good at?

I played tennis when I was younger and was pretty decent at it, but I didn’t have the patience for it. Now I am just my sister’s practice partner from when she comes home from college (at Ohio Northern).

Will the Steelers win their playoff game Monday?

I sure hope so.

Who is your favorite pro athlete?

Lydia Jacoby.

Did you enjoy watching Latrobe football games this season?

Yes, I enjoyed watching my friends. I was at every game. They had a great season.

Who is your hero?

My older sister, Jenna.

If you could change one rule in swimming, what would it be?

I wish I could swim more than four events in a high school meet.

Who has the best pizza in Latrobe?

Jioio’s.

What is your go-to order at Dino’s? Sharky’s? Starbucks?

Dino’s: sweet and hot wing pizza; Sharky’s: classic chicken sandwich; Starbucks: grande iced chai tea latte.

Any New Year’s resolutions?

To read more books.

Tyler Funk

School: Penn-Trafford

Class: Freshman

Sport: Ice hockey

Claim to fame: Funk joined the Penn-Trafford team in early December after recovering from a broken collar bone sustained during lacrosse. He immediately upgraded the Warriors in goal. In seven games, he allowed seven goals and has a goals-against average of 1.74. In his last three games, he has allowed three goals: a 2-1 shootout loss to Bishop McCort and consecutive 4-1 wins against Hempfield and first-place Latrobe. Against the Wildcats, he had 22 saves. Penn-Trafford is in seventh place in the Class 2A standings with eight games left in the regular season.

How old were you when you first started playing hockey?

I started playing in Delmont when I was 3. I’ve played for Pens Elite for four years and the Pittsburgh Vengeance for two years.

When did you start playing in goal?

I was 6. A team needed a goaltender, and I jumped in. I loved it.

What was it like the first time you played for the Warriors?

It was a little nerve-wracking. I had to adjust to the speed of high school hockey. It was a lot faster than 3A hockey. I had to adjust to what I was seeing on the ice.

When you go against another good goalie, to you take it as a challenge?

There is a pride thing when you go against another good goalie. It forces you to play better, and I step up my game.

Who is the best player you’ve gone against?

I’m not sure what is name is. He played for a team in Chicago, and now he’s playing in Florida. He’s probably top three to five in the country. I expect him to be in the NHL.

What are your goals?

I’d like to play in the NHL. That’s my goal.

Do you see yourself playing college or Junior hockey?

I’m not sure. It’s pretty early to think about it. We’ll see where hockey takes me.

Where is your favorite vacation spot?

I like Florida. A couple years ago, we went to Florida, and it was my most memorable hockey moments. We had fun playing in the tournament and going to the beach.

Who is your favorite hockey player?

Marc-Andre Fleury. I love watching film of him play. He inspires me because he’s so carefree and the way he moves.

Who is your favorite player not a goalie?

It has to be Sidney Crosby. I like the way he plays.

When you watch an NHL game, are you watching the goalie?

I like to watch them move and see how they handle things in front of them. Watching them and adapting what they do could help my game.

What is your favorite meal that your mom makes?

She cooks a great steak. I like mine rare.

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

Probably either Marc-Andre’ Fleury or Carey Price. We’d talk about things that will make me a better player.

Is there any place that hockey has taken you that you’d like to go back to and visit?

I’d say Detroit. I like Michigan a lot. And Dallas. We are there this weekend and want to explore the Dallas area.

What’s the last movie you’ve watched?

The first season of John Wick.

What type of movies do you like?

I like horror films, thrillers and comedies.

What type of music do you listen to prior to a game?

I like hard rap.

Where do you and your friends/teammates go to after a game or practice for a snack and what do you get?

I like Get-Go. I get a sub and an Arizona Ice Tea. Sometimes I get French toast sticks.

Who are your favorite sports teams?

I like the Penguins, Steelers and Pirates.

Steelers or Bills?

The Steelers. They have been doing well since Mason Rudolph has been starting.

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

Tags: Latrobe