Ava Hickman
School: Hempfield
Class: Junior
Sport: Gymnastics
Claim to fame: Hickman won first place all-around and on the balance beam and also took third on the bars and sixth on the vault at the WPIAL gymnastics championships. She competed in the gold division.
What was it like winning the WPIAL all-around title?
It was very exciting, and like a breath of fresh air, especially since I’ve been struggling mentally with gymnastics this season.
Did you think you had a chance to win, or did it come as a surprise?
I definitely thought I had a chance at top three in the all-around as I got third last year, but I was definitely surprised at getting first.
What event do you think sealed the title for you?
Beam definitely sealed the title for me. It was one of the cleanest routines I’ve done, scoring a 9.325.
What is your favorite event and why?
My favorite event has always been bars. No matter how much I struggle with it, it’s the one event I am extremely confident in and enjoy competing in.
How long have you been a gymnast?
I have been a gymnast since I was in kindergarten, so around 11-12 years now.
Do you play any other sports?
I do not play any other sports and never have even tried another sport.
Do you have any good athletes in your family?
I have two younger sisters who both are very athletic: Alivia, who also does gymnastics, and my youngest, Alissa, who is going to be on the middle school track team next year.
Will you watch the Winter Olympics? What are you looking forward to watching most?
I don’t really plan on watching the Winter Olympics, but I’ve been seeing videos of Alysa Liu for figure skating and it’s giving me a slight interest in figure skating.
Did you shovel snow in recent weeks?
Nope, my family owns a snow blower, so my dad usually does it.
What is your favorite hobby outside of gymnastics?
Probably playing Roblox with my boyfriend.
Do you have any pets?
I have a Shih Tzu named Loki.
Do you want to compete in gymnastics in college?
I’ve looked into it a little bit, but I don’t have much of a desire to go to college in general.
What does your pre-meet routine look like?
I pretty much make sure I have my grips the night before and get my hair ready, eat whatever wouldn’t upset my stomach, get my leotard and warm-ups on and I’m out the door.
What is your favorite gym to compete at?
I dont really have a favorite gym … but if I had to say it would be my home gym, Ultimate Gymnastics.
Have you ever met a celebrity?
I met Nastia Liukin in 2016.
Who is your celebrity crush?
I really don’t keep up with celebrities much, so I don’t really have one, but I do like a group called “Stray Kids.”
Is there a high school gymnastics rule you would like to change?
I don’t think it’s necessarily a rule, but during the meets to qualify for WPIALs, it’s common you warm up every event and then complete, and then get a touch on the events. I think it’s silly and takes more time than it takes to warm up and compete as you go like you do for USAG.
Sal Colangelo
School: Franklin Regional
Class: Junior
Sport: Wrestling
Claim to fame: Colangelo (107 pounds) was a big reason Franklin Regional won the WPIAL and PIAA Class 3A titles. Against Norwin, Colangelo picked up huge wins against Luca Butera. He opened the Section 9-3A first-place showdown with a 2-1 win. He rallied for a 5-3 win in the WPIAL final, and then he blanked Butera, 5-0, in the PIAA final. He also had big wins against Connellsville, Peters Township, Thomas Jefferson and State College in the playoffs. He entered the Eastern Qualifier seeded No. 1 with a 24-7 record.
What did it mean to play such a vital role in helping Franklin Regional win WPIAL and PIAA titles?
It is awesome, surreal. I never dreamed of playing such an important role, especially in the WPIAL and PIAA finals. I knew it was going to come to me in the WPIAL championship. It was so exciting. We had a great crowd. I did not panic after giving up an early takedown. I was able to counter one of his shots and get a takedown, and I knew that would be enough to win it. At states, I did not think I would decide the match. So I was relaxed because things were going our way. But when our 215-pounder got beat, I knew I had to refocus. I got extra time when John (Montgomery) did not finish his wrestler off until the end. But once we started and I got that early takedown, I knew I would win. It was an amazing feeling.
Do you like to lead things off in a match or do you like to help decide the match?
I want to start things off. I do not like waiting around. It is always exciting to help the team win.
What is your most memorable moment?
That is a tough one. All the playoff wins are memorable. Winning the WPIAL and PIAA titles stand out. It was a great way to cap off the dual season.
What are your individual goals?
I would like to qualify for states at Hershey. It is going to be tough because there are a lot of great wrestlers. I was surprised I was seeded No. 1 in the qualifier. I just want to go out, have fun and do my best. If I do that, I feel I can compete with anyone.
What did it mean to have two Frankin Regional greats – Nico Megaludis and Spencer Lee – speak to the team prior to PIAA finals?
It was special. They talked about their memories about being NCAA champions and what it took for teams to win titles.
How old were you when you first started wrestling?
I was 7. I was in first grade. I got more into it my second year. I love wrestling.
What is your favorite Coach (Matt) Lebe memory?
We were wrestling Trinity at the Trinity Duals and Ethan Cartwright was wrestling a kid who was not doing much. Ethan needed a pin and the kid turtled and Ethan hit a cross-faced cradle and pinned the kid, and coach went crazy. He was so excited.
Do you play any other sport?
I played baseball when I was young. Just wrestling in high school.
How did the team celebrate after winning that state title?
We went to Rick’s Sports Bar and Grill. It was awesome.
Who is your favorite wrestler?
I really like Pitt’s Nino Bonaccorsi. When he won his NCAA championship he just stayed aggressive and went after it. He was a five-time NCAA qualifier. I like to pattern myself after him.
What is your favorite class?
Weightlifting.
What is your favorite meal?
I like my mom’s spaghetti and meat sauce.
Where do you and your teammates go for a snack after practice or a match and what do you get?
Sheetz and I will get a meatball hoagie and an Oreo milkshake.
What Olympic sport will you watch?
I like ski jumping and hockey. The Winter Olympics are more exciting because of the risk factor. It is crazy how fast they go and the crazy jumps they do.
What hockey team are your rooting for? United States or Sidney Crosby and the Canadian team?
I want to see Sid do well, but I want USA to win gold.
What foods do you eat to maintain your weight?
I start a week out and I eat eggs, yogurt and eliminate wasted carbs. I will eat high protein, drink water and Gatorade. I am not perfect, but I keep my weight in range.
What was that last movie you watched?
“Cinema Paradiso.” It is an Italian drama.
What is your favorite movie?
”Forrest Gump.”
Where does your family go on vacation?
Massanutten Resort in Virginia. They have a great water park.
Where do you hope to visit in the future?
I would like to visit the Grand Canyon.
Who started you in wrestling?
My dad because he thought I was too small for baseball.
If you could have lunch and dinner with someone famous and special, who would it be and what would you talk about?
My grandparents (Dorothy and Dominick Colangelo). I would like to learn more about them and what their life was like when they we growing up.