Westmoreland high school athletes of the week: Penn-Trafford’s Ellie Lebe and Latrobe’s Charlie Heese

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, September 13, 2025 | 5:30 PM

Ellie Lebe

School: Penn-Trafford

Class: Freshman

Sport: Soccer

Claim to fame: Lebe has burst onto the local girls soccer scene while helping Penn-Trafford move into a first-place tie with Norwin in Section 1-4A. The talented forward had back-to-back hat tricks as Penn-Trafford breezed to wins over Hempfield (11-0) and Woodland Hills (8-0). She has a team-leading eight goals for the season.

What have you enjoyed most about playing varsity soccer so quickly?

I really like that I have created some great relationships with upperclassmen who I really didn’t know well before this season started, and I am also enjoying playing with some really talented players while representing our school.

What has been your biggest challenge?

We have had a really good schedule, and I love that because we get to compete against some of the best players in the WPIAL and even some of the best players in the country during those games. I am learning to balance fitting in my extra workouts while maintaining my recovery as a priority, given our busy schedule, all while keeping up with my academics.

Did you feel like your game was ready for WPIAL 4A soccer?

I knew that playing varsity was going to be hard and a challenge at the 4A level, but I take a lot of pride in working hard and I have been fortunate to have great coaches here at Penn-Trafford who have made this experience fun, easy, and they are always pushing me to be my best and giving me the opportunities to be successful.

Are you looking forward to Monday’s game against Norwin?

Yes, I am very excited to play against a great team like Norwin. I have known many of their players growing up, and they have a lot of talent. However, we have been working very hard as a team, and our team is also very talented. I believe both teams will be ready to make this rivalry a great game, which makes it even more exciting.

When did you start playing soccer and why?

I started when I was 3 or 4. My parents put me into it, and since then, I’ve really grown to love the game.

What are the most goals you have scored in a game at any level?

In seventh grade for junior high soccer, I scored five goals, and our team beat Latrobe, 5-0, but a lot of my current teammates were on the team and made those goals really easy to score because of their assists.

Your father, Matt, was a standout two-sport athlete at Jeannette and a college wrestler at West Virginia. What is the best advice he has given to you?

I really look up to my dad, and he is always giving me really good advice, but one of the best pieces of advice he has given me is to work when no one is watching. He would always say, “Work in the dark.” He is always pushing me to be my best. I also want to give a shoutout to my mom (Danielle). She makes everything possible with our busy schedules for my sisters and I, with all our sports and extra workouts.

Do you follow Franklin Regional wrestling because your dad is the coach?

Yes, I love getting to watch wrestling. The team works really hard. Getting to watch the team win a WPIAL title this year was also really cool.

Do you play any other sports?

I played basketball for the past seven years, but my last season was last year in eighth grade, as I am going to focus on soccer for my high school career.

Is your goal to play Division I college soccer?

Yes, I hope to play D-I soccer, but I know that I’m going to need to work extremely hard to reach that goal.

What motivates you most when you compete?

I have set very high goals for myself, and that motivates me to work not only hard during competition but to learn from my coaches so I can continue to grow as a player.

What is your favorite subject in school?

ELA (English Language Arts).

Before every game I must ______?

Eat pistachios about an hour before the game.

Your 2010 Girls Academy team made the national playoffs. What was that experience like?

It was a great experience. Our team is very close, and we are all great friends, making it even better. We played against some top teams in the Girls Academy. Our team worked hard to get there, and we hope to get everyone back healthy and make a run for a national tournament this season. We are very blessed to have a great coach, Erica Marshall, who is always pushing us to improve and finding ways to make us better as a team and individually.

Charlie Heese

School: Latrobe

Class: Junior

Sport: Cross country

Claim to fame: The Latrobe junior opened eyes by winning the Red, White and Blue Invitational on Sept. 6 at the White Oaks Park course. Heese ran a career best 15 minutes, 37 seconds. He followed that by winning the fifth Saucony Gingerbread Man Running Company Kiski Area Invitational at Northmoreland Park on Sept. 12. He ran a 16:06. His prior best time was 16:19 at the WPIAL Class 3A championship at White Oak Park in October 2024. He is a two-time WPIAL medalist and two-time PIAA qualifier.

Talk about your race.

Had something to prove to myself. I went out with the lead group, and when we got to a mile-and-a-half into the race, I decided to break from the pack. I was not pushed, but I knew that once I got close to the home stretch I had to pick it up because I do not have a great kick. When I came out of woods, I knew I was going to win.

What are your goals?

I would like to win the WPIAL title and place at states. I have not run well there the past two years. My freshman year I battled an injury, and last year I got caught in the pack.

How was the competition at the Red, White and Blue Invitational?

Butler was not there, but all the other top teams were. The two West Virginia teams — University and Morgantown — also add quality runners. The win gave me great confidence. Now I am more relaxed when I run. I believe in myself.

When did you start running?

I was in seventh grade, and at the end of wrestling practice we would run and I liked it. I decided to run for the cross country and track and field teams and enjoyed it. I quit wrestling and focused on running.

Have you heard of four-time WPIAL champion Natalie Bower from Latrobe?

Yes, I heard a lot of amazing stories. That is amazing that she won four titles and a state title.

Who is your favorite athlete?

That is a tough one. I guess Norwegian runner Jakob Ingebrigtsen. He is a two-time world champion in the 5,000.

Where is your favorite vacation spot?

We went to the Tetons, Badlands and Yellowstone this summer. That was fun.

Do you have a dream vacation spot?

I would like to see Alaska. Tthat would be a lot of fun.

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

After practice we go to either Don Patrons or Dino’s. I get a chimichanga or burrito at Don Patrons or wings at Dino’s. I like plain.

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

That is tough to choose because everything they make is good. I just cannot pick one.

What is the last movie you watched?

“Shawshank Redemption.”

What TV shows do you like?

I do not have a favorite.

What type of music do you listen to?

I like country music when I am studying or relaxing. Before a meet I like upbeat music.

Who is your favor Pittsburgh sports team?

The Steelers. They will probably go 9-8 again.

If there is one person, dead or alive, you would like to have dinner with, who would it be and what would you talk about?

It would be my late grandfather, John Heese, who recently passed away. I just would like to talk to him again.

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

Tags: Penn-Trafford