Olivia Kovach
School: Mt. Pleasant
Class: Senior
Sport: Gymnastics
Claim to fame: With a score of 37.65, Kovach won the advanced division title at the Happy New Year Gymnastics Invitational at Kiski Area.
She also was first on the uneven bars (9.5) and floor exercise (9.5), while finishing second on the balance beam and vault.
Kovach is the reigning WPIAL advanced division all-around champion. She advanced to regionals as a first-year Level 10 competitor.
How was your offseason, and what did you do to prepare for your senior year?
During the summer, I work upgrades and practice five days a week. I also attended WVU gymnastics camp and the UPenn camp.
What was going well for you at the New Year’s meet at Kiski Area?
I felt confident and had good routines.
Are you going to pursue gymnastics in college? What schools are showing interest in you? Any offers?
I had many offers for acrobatics and tumbling, but I have decided that I don’t want to pursue that program after high school. I am going to continue in auto collision and coach gymnastics.
What is the next event on your schedule?
To compete at Stars and Stripes in Eire for club gymnastics.
Are you still taking automotive collision courses?
Yes I’m still CWCTC.
What repair job are you most proud of?
I just finished doing a whole paint job on a conversion van.
How confident are you going into this year’s WPIAL postseason as you chase a three-peat on the beam and a repeat in the all-around?
I feel really good about my beam routine. My past four high school qualifier meets give me confidence at WPIALs.
What goes through your mind just before you compete in an event?
I always think attitude and staying confident the whole time.
Do you get to pick your own music for the floor exercise?
Yes, I spend several months looking for my floor music.
Are there any rules you would change in high school gymnastics?
We need more people who are interested in judging high school gymnastics to come out to support us.
Is there anything new at your family’s alpaca farm?
We got a puppy for Christmas.
What was your favorite Christmas gift this year?
Our new puppy named Koda.
Do you have a favorite animal at the farm?
Our goat, Penelope, that just had babies before Christmas.
How much time do you spend each day/week training?
Four hours a day, five days a week.
How much has weightlifting helped your performance?
I do weightlifting four days a week outside of the gym, and it has helped me on bars and floor.
How did you ring in the new year?
At home with family and friends.
Mason Keesecker
School: Derry
Class: Freshman
Sport: Wrestling
Claim to fame: Keesecker won his first Westmoreland County Coaches’ Association wrestling tournament with four impressive wins. He defeated Penn-Trafford freshman Jax Brentzel in the final.
How has your season gone?
It has gone well. This is the first high school tournament. I came up just short at placing Powerade.
What was the key to winning your county title?
I tried to stay on my attack. It did not matter what the score was. I just kept on wrestling.
You faced another hot wrestler in the finals in Brentzel, what was your strategy?
Jax is my practice partner at club. We are pretty good friends. We battle a lot.
What are your goals?
I want to win a PIAA title and dominate at the highest level.
What are the team goals?
We want to place at states and win the WPIAL title.
How old were you when you started to wrestle?
I was in kindergarten. Probably 5. I just really liked the sport.
Did you have any memorable moments this season or during your career?
Winning the county tournament is the biggest right now. I got disqualified at the scales at the Panther Holiday tournament.
Do you play any other sport?
No
Is there another sport you wish you could play?
I would like to bobsled.
What is your favorite class?
Phys ed.
What is special about your school?
We have a great coaching staff. They really prepare us. They are the best in the country
Where do you and your teammates head for a snack after practice or a game?
We go to Sheetz. I get a raspberry milk shake if I am not cutting weight. And probably some fruit.
What is your favorite meal?
Chicken wings.
What sport do you enjoy watching?
I like the Steelers.
Do you want to pick the score of Monday’s Steelers game?
I hope they win, but, I do not think they will. Houston, 28-14.
Have you ever met a celebrity?
No. But I have met notable wrestlers.
What is the last movie you watched?
“Annabell.” It is a scary movie.
What type of music do you listen to?
The Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Where is your favorite vacation spot?
We go to Raystown Lake.
Where is a place you would like to visit?
Japan or China. Also, Los Angeles.
What is special about Derry?
The people are special. They want to see you succeed.
If you were to have lunch or dinner with someone special, who would it be?
I would pick wrestler Austin DeSanto. He was a really good wrestler, and I would like to talk about how he became successful.