Adele Walters-Vrabel
School: Springdale
Class: Freshman
Sport: Soccer
Claim to fame: Walters-Vrabel propelled the Dynamos (14-2-1) to the quarterfinal round of the PIAA Class A playoffs with a header in overtime to defeat Windber 2-1.
What was it like joining a team that won the WPIAL last year in Class A?
I think it was very inspiring to me, hearing about their story last year. Being able to play alongside players from the WPIAL championship last year like Hailey Marchlewski, Ariana Caltagarone and other sophomores Tessa Derringer, Genevieve Conklin and all those players inspired me to play with the team that won WPIALs last year.
The team lost in the WPIAL semis and got past Waynesburg to get to the state playoffs. Take me through the emotions of not going back-to-back as WPIAL champs but still getting another chance at the state playoffs.
We’re pushing through, we’re taking advantage of this second chance to reach for states, and I think we’re doing really well at that and we’re very inspired by this now and we’re motivated and have a fire under our backsides now.
How did the team prepare for the PIAA playoffs?
We built upon what we had previously played. We took upon our errors that we made in previous games, and our coaches guided us through what we had to work on. Right now, we’re in the quarterfinals of states, so everything has worked out so far.
Were you able to see any film or hear how Windber liked to play?
We did get some video and saw how they liked to play, but we just went with how the game was played. Our coaches gave us advice on how to win the game and we did.
What kind of game did Windber give you?
We had a pretty tough game. Equal almost throughout. But we were able to score. They put up a fight, but we pushed through and made it to the next round.
Take me through the golden goal you scored.
We got some yards down the field early, and we had a throw in. Ainsley Wade took the throw in. I was knocked down on the ground, and she found a way to get the ball to me and when it came to me, I found a way to shoot it and let it go, and it went in.
What was going through your mind in that moment?
Honestly I just wanted to take a shot and see what happens. I was in disbelief when it went in. I had been preparing for a moment like that for a long time.
What’s the biggest adjustment you’ve had to make to playing at the varsity level?
Just getting used to the program and playing with new teammates. I had played with some of them before, and they as well as the coaches have done a great job of guiding me to being comfortable.
What individual goals did you set for yourself at the start of this season?
My goals were to at least get all-section, get some goals in the back of the net, bond with my teammates and feel comfortable.
How many goals did you end up putting in the back of the net?
I think I have 12 goals right now.
Is that where you thought you might be?
Yeah. I was looking for chances, and my team helped me get those goals. I expected to be around that total.
How do you get in focus before a game?
I stick to my pregame routines. I stretch and try to free my mind of any stress. I look to my teammates, especially the seniors, to how they guide the team. I really take it all in and imagine how I can execute on the field.
Who’s the fastest on the team?
If I could pick more than one, I would select Lacey Shondeck, Ainsley Wade, Hailey Marchlewski, Tessa Derringer. We have a lot of fast players on our team, especially at the wing position. There are a lot of options on this team. We’re very fit and speedy.
Who is the best at bending the ball?
That’s easier to gauge on corner kicks, and Ainsley usually takes those. I have been preparing to do some curves, bending the ball.
What is your favorite hobby?
I like to do a lot of engineering type things, like building stuff and doing wood shop at school. 3-D printing with CAD (computer-aided design) and just being creative, producing things.
Favorite meal?
Anything with carbs. Like noodles, even a well-balanced meal. Like buttered noodles with chicken and a vegetable, like Brussels sprouts or broccoli.
Do you play any other sports at Springdale?
My plan is to try and play basketball this winter, maybe on the varsity team. I also play a lot of futsal in the winter.
Who inspires you the most?
I think that Lola Abraham is the one that inspires me the most. She’s right across the river and plays for the Riveters and the University of Pittsburgh. She just recovered from an ACL injury and is playing out there. I went to one of her games last week. She’s from a small school like I am and is playing both collegiately and professionally, and she’s a pivotal player for the school she played at.
Peyton Kushon
School: Deer Lakes
Class: Senior
Sport: Soccer
Claim to fame: Kushon scored the only goal in the Lancers’ contest against Harbor Creek in the first round of the PIAA Class 2A playoffs.
How does it feel to be a WPIAL champion for the second time, having won in 2022?
It’s kind of surreal. Being in that stadium twice after the last two years, where it wasn’t our best outcome, it just felt great.
How does it compare to when you were on the team that won it your freshman year?
The first time I felt like I was playing for the seniors above me and less for myself. It was my last chance to prove that we were WPIAL champions. I don’ t want to sound selfish, but it was more for me and my fellow seniors.
When did you guys start to prepare for the PIAA playoffs?
We had a rest day after the WPIAL championships, but we got right back to it the next day. Since then, we’ve been going at it hard.
Did you get any film on Harbor Creek to go off of?
We didn’t get a lot of film. With those other districts, it’s hard to get solid film, so we just did what we could, figured stuff out as we went along.
What was it like to play Harbor Creek?
We went into the game knowing that they were going to play very defensive, knowing that we have the reputation for being a goal scoring team. We felt they were going to play the same way they did our freshman year. Lay with all their numbers behind the ball. We tried to get as many attacking chances that we could. We knew that they weren’t going to counter too often.
Tell me about your game winner.
The initial pass came from our keeper, Wesley Boyle, with a great punt. From there it went to one of our midfielders, Jacob Orseno, who shot a great cross. I barely had to move.
What were your emotions like? What was going through your mind in that moment?
I felt very weird. It was my first ever state playoff goal, and it was in the last game at my high school field. Very surprising but very great that I could be a part of that.
When did that goal happen, early or late in the game?
It happened roughly 12 minutes into the game.
What was it like to ride that lead out the rest of the match and see that your goal was the difference?
It was nerve-wracking after that one went in because we knew they were going to come at us a lot harder. They are a very technical team like we are, and they had a lot of close chances. We had to play our best game to keep that lead.
Not a good showing last year for the team, losing in the first round. What did it feel like to clear that hurdle this year?
It was a bit of relief. I hope we get the opportunity, if we win on Saturday to play Fairview, the team that knocked us out of the first-round last year. That would be a nice feeling to get a second chance at them.
What can you say about how the team played all season long?
This season in particular we’ve been more of a group than in past years. It had been more about individuals making plays rather than everyone wanting to play for each other, and I think that makes a difference in the way we’ve scored goals.
What were your individual goals at the start of the year?
I knew I wanted to score more goals than I have done in past years. I knew I wanted to reach some of those accolades that I hadn’t in past years, like all-WPIAL and all-section. But really, my main goal was to make sure my team got a WPIAL championship and possibly a state championship as well.
Which team has been the toughest you’ve faced in your high school career?
Beaver’s definitely one of the grittiest teams we’ve played, and there have been a lot. My freshman year, the semifinals against South Park, they were a big rival and a strong team that year, even Quaker Valley. Those are a few of the teams that gave us a run for our money.
Is there a soccer player you like to watch the most?
I don’t watch a lot of professional soccer all that much. It sounds like a very popular answer, but Lionel Messi is probably my favorite player to watch.
Do you play any other sports?
I played volleyball my sophomore year, and I plan on playing it this year as well. I’m trying wrestling this year, because it’s my last chance to do so. I figured because it’s my last year, to soak up as much as I can.
If you could take on a new hobby or learn a new skill what would it be?
Probably something to do with working with younger kids, like helping to develop them in a sports-type atmosphere.
What is your favorite subject in school?
Math. I’ve always been a numbers guy.
What are you looking forward to the most in your senior year?
I’m looking forward to that second state championship banner that will hang in our school gym. Have our team be recognized by the school. Just hanging out with my friends at school and seeing how much we’ve grown over the years.
What are your future plans?
I want to go to a four-year college for something in the finance/business field. I don’t want to play soccer in college. After that, we’ll see where it takes me.