Westmoreland high school athletes of the week for March 30, 2025: Hempfield’s Allie Cervola and Norwin’s Brayden Wardzinski

By: Bill Beckner Jr. And Brennan Valladares
Saturday, March 29, 2025 | 6:38 PM

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Allie Cervola

School: Hempfield

Class: Senior

Sport: Softball

Claim to fame: An Ohio U commit, Cervola has helped Hempfield to a 5-0 start and has sparked an offense that has been crushing the ball all over the field. The leadoff hitter, Cervola went 3 for 4 with a double and a triple in a 13-0, five-inning win over Uniontown, had a home run and three RBIs in a four-inning 14-0 win over Mt. Lebanon and added three hits, including two doubles, and two RBIs as the Spartans pounded North Allegheny, 20-3.

In the season opener, she went 3 for 4 with two doubles and four RBIs in an 8-3 victory over Penn-Trafford.

You are on a tear offensively. Have you made any changes to your swing or are you just seeing the ball well?

I haven’t made any major changes to my swing recently, but I would say my mentality is definitely different this season. I’ve developed a stronger sense of confidence, and I truly believe that every time I step into the box I’m going to make solid contact.

The offense seems to be hitting every pitch it sees. Why does everything seem to be clicking for the team?

At the start of the season, we knew that a significant portion of our offense had graduated, and that meant we all had to step up and fill those big shoes. With the big support from our coaches, we were able to rise to the challenge. Not only did we step up, but we found a way to exceed that goal.

What have been the team’s strengths and weaknesses, if any of the latter?

Our strength is the friendship we all have. To make a great team it doesn’t just take skill. It takes teamwork. All of us being best friends on the team really helps us succeed. Our biggest weakness is probably self confidence. I know for a fact that I am confident in every single person on this team, but they need to believe in themselves first.

How much did last year’s semifinal loss to Norwin motivate the team?

No one wants the feeling that we had last year losing to Norwin. The loss is in the past, so we cannot do anything about it now but we are going to do everything in our power to not have that feeling again this year.

How do you not look ahead to playing Seneca Valley again (on April 7)?

We are taking it day by day, practice by practice, game by game. Our only focus right now is (the next game) and then practice the next day.

With all of the talent Hempfield has, it a championship the only way for this season can end?

Absolutely. In the end, the last time I should be wearing a Hempfield uniform should be at the championship at Penn State. I will be proud of this team and my journey no matter what the outcome is, but that’s the goal.

Have you been paying attention to how Ohio is doing?

Yes, of course. I try to watch all of the games I can and enjoy watching them succeed. At one point they were ranked 22nd in the D-I mid-major. So I’d say watching them is making me really excited to become a Bobcat.

You used to be a catcher. How do you think your transition to shortstop has been, and what do you like about the position change?

Shortstop has always been my primary position, and catcher was my second choice. While I never really enjoyed catching, I stepped up my freshman year because I knew the position was open. I was willing to do whatever the team needed. The following year when Ella (Berbebile) joined the team, I was so excited to get back to shortstop, where I am the most comfortable.

Why do you wear No. 29?

My absolute favorite two athletes growing up were Francisco Cervelli and Marc-André Fleury. For some reason, I loved Francisco Cervelli because his last name sounded like mine and he was Italian just like me so I just idolized him. I loved Marc-Andre Fleury because I enjoyed watching him win two Stanley Cups for the Penguins. So ever since I was really young I have always had 29 on the back of my jersey because of them.

Your dad is an athletic trainer. Do you ever ask him for medical advice?

For sure. He’s always taking care of me and my injuries. He bugs me to make sure I stretch with bands and make sure I get ice on my arm after throwing. He can be a lot sometimes, but he is the best athletic trainer, and I know he just wants the absolute best for me.

Do you have any pets?

Yep. I have one dog named Jack. I’ve had him since I was 4. He is so sweet and cute and one of my favorite things ever.

What is your favorite subject in school?

I don’t necessarily have a favorite subject, but my favorite class this year is STEM communications. We are working on real-life things, and I feel like its really going to help me in my future.

You had a solid basketball season. Did that surprise you?

Yes, it surprised me. I was never really great at basketball. I always did decent on JV my freshman and sophomore year, but never really got varsity minutes until my junior year. And even then I didn’t stand out. I’m not sure what happened this year. After the first few games I think I got confident in myself and just went from there. I would have never expected to have a season like that but I’m very thankful for it.

Who was your favorite Hempfield player when you were younger?

My sister, Emma Cervola. As her younger sister, I’ve always looked up to her and wanted to follow in her footsteps. Getting the chance to be on the same team as her during my freshman and sophomore years was an incredible honor. Those seasons were my favorite, filled with unforgettable memories that we shared on and off the field.

People would be surprised to know I _______?

Know how to juggle.

What is your favorite thing to do on the weekend?

If you don’t catch me hanging out with my friends on a Saturday night, then you know something’s wrong. And then almost every Sunday night we eat dinner at my grandma’s house with my family, and that’s always a good time.

If you could change one rule in high school softball, what would it be?

It’s not really a rule, but I think it stinks that the only team that makes it to 6A PIAA playoffs is the WPIAL champion, unlike other classification that take top two or more.

Do you have any autographs?

Yes. I love going to Steelers training camp, and I used to get almost the whole team to sign. I would make them play rock, paper, scissors with me, and if I won, I got an autograph. I got a bunch of players gloves and bracelets.

What celebrity would you most like to meet?

Noah Kahan.

What is your ideal NIL deal and with what company or product?

Free lululemon would be awesome, and then I would be forced to wear it all the time so I wouldn’t complain.

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback will be ________?

Mason Rudolph.

The PIttsburgh Pirates’ win total this season will be ________?

91.

Brayden Wardzinski

School: Norwin

Class: Senior

Sport: Baseball

Claim to fame: Wardzinski was pivotal in Norwin’s 2-0 week. In a 9-8 win over North Allegheny on Monday — with the Knights coming into the bottom of the seventh trailing 8-5 — the first baseman had the walk-off RBI single to complete the comeback win. On Thursday, Wardzinski went 3 for 4 with two doubles, two RBIs and two runs in a 10-3 win over Upper St. Clair. After starting the season 0-3, Norwin is now 2-3.

What were some of your personal goals heading into this season?

My personal goals were just trying to pitch as good as I did last year, continue to get better, get stronger in the weight room over the offseason. And, you know, just keep practicing — during the season, during games — keep practicing my craft.

What were some of your team goals?

Obviously, make the playoffs is a big one. Be over .500 as a team and have good chemistry, have a good bond, keep the defense clean. Hit the ball … when there’s people in scoring position, stuff like that.

What are the benefits of having six seniors return for this season?

Really teaching the underclassmen. You know, whenever we see somebody struggling, when we’re looking from a distance, we’re always trying to point out, ‘Hey, maybe try this, maybe try that.’ And when we do that, it just grows the bond between upperclassmen and underclassmen. Nobody’s scared to speak up or anything. We’re all really close.

What would you say your team’s biggest strength is this season? What has been its biggest weakness?

Strength would be … our defense and our pitching. … Norwin has always been a great defensive and pitching team. And our weakness, I would say it was hitting at the start, but we’re really starting to pick up the pace, scoring nine runs against NA and then 10 against Upper St. Clair.

What has contributed to your early-season success at the plate?

Practice before the season, during the season, and you know my coaches always looking out for me, making sure I’m staying comfortable hitting how I want to hit. I’ve just been seeing the ball well.

How have you adjusted to being a senior leader for this team?

I would say it’s a little bit of an adjustment. … I wouldn’t say I was a leader last year. I would say I was kind of more quiet. But I’ve definitely adjusted and grown to being more open, being more vocal, as I’ve become a senior and just being there with the team.

After losing to North Allegheny in consecutive playoffs, what was it like to have the walk-off RBI single in your only meeting with the Tigers this regular season?

It was special. At the middle of the game, I was struggling. I had two strikeouts prior to that at-bat. I just walked up to the plate, just cleared my head. I have to clear my head. I saw the first pitch, saw a pitch that I liked and hit it. Just get back to the basics, even if you’re struggling.

That win against North Allegheny ended a 0-3 start for your team. What has changed over the last two games?

Don’t really know, to be honest. We’ve had quality at-bats. Everybody on our team has had quality at-bats throughout all the games. Some games prior, we just weren’t hitting the ball in the right moments. If we hit the ball here or there, we would have put up a lot more runs. So I think we’re continuing to have quality (at-bats), and we’re continuing to hit the ball.

How long have you been playing baseball? What got you started in the sport?

I’ve been playing baseball I’d say about nine or 10 years. I actually started playing soccer before I played baseball. Then, all my uncles and my father and my grandfathers played baseball, so they kind of just put me there to see if I’d like it or not, and I ended up really enjoying it.

Do you plan on going to college? Is baseball a part of that decision-making process?

I’m going to Washington & Jefferson for college. And I’m honestly not too sure if I’m playing baseball or not. Kind of 50/50 at this point right now.

Do you have a favorite MLB team?

I’m going to say the Pirates because that’s where I’m from. But (over the) past like six years, Yankees have definitely been up there. Yankees, Aaron Judge. (I’m) mad they got rid of (Juan) Soto, but either the Yankees or Pirates.

Why the Yankees?

I think it was Aaron Judge. Whenever he started playing, whatever it was, just my younger self, I just enjoyed watching him play. And then soon as I started watching him play, I enjoyed watching the Yankees, and it kind of grew from there.

What did you make of the Pirates’ Opening Day loss? What are your hopes for the season?

We were on the bus ride home from Upper St. Clair (on Thursday), and I was looking at my phone, and then I saw that (David) Bednar blew the game. Just frustration, honestly. I really hope they make the playoffs, but I don’t know about that.

Outside of baseball, what are some of your other hobbies?

I no longer play (soccer). I quit playing about two years after I was fully playing baseball. Outside of baseball, I like hanging out with my friends, playing some pickup basketball, pickup football, some spikeball.

What is your favorite memory from playing baseball? How about as a fan watching it?

Honestly, probably my Cooperstown days. That whole Cooperstown Tournament was just so much fun with all my childhood friends and that team. It was awesome. I wouldn’t say it’s a specific memory, but when the Pirates had (Gregory) Polanco and (Starling) Marte and (Andrew) McCutchen and Josh Harrison, man, they were fun to watch back then.

Tags: Hempfield