Sophia Gregg
School: Burrell
Class: Junior
Sport: Softball
Claim to fame: Gregg hit a walk-off double to seal a 5-4 win for Burrell (9-6, 6-3) over Deer Lakes in a Section 1-3A matchup April 17. Then on Wednesday, she singled, doubled and drove in four in a 15-10 win over Armstrong in a nonsection tilt.
What’s your assessment on Friday’s 2-1 loss to Knoch?
It wasn’t my best game, but as a team, I feel like we looked really good and it has given us a lot of hope as we head into the playoffs, especially that game against Armstrong.
What was the walk-off hit like on Monday? Any nerves stepping into the batter’s box?
No. That was a fantastic game. Deer Lakes called a timeout right before I got into the box. I’m best friends with the pitcher, Ella Thomas, and we’re on the same travel team. I love her. She’s an amazing pitcher.
What was the count when you got the hit and what were you thinking about?
I told my coach in the huddle during the timeout that I was swinging first pitch, and it would go up the middle. I texted Ella afterwards and said, I love you so much, but I had to do that, I’m so sorry.
What was your reaction to winning the game?
It was awesome. We really needed that win. It was a comeback win as well. I believe we were down like two or three runs going into the seventh. It gave us a better record in section play and hopefully gives us a chance at better seeding for the playoffs.
Was that your first ever walk-off hit?
Definitely in high school ball, but I’m sure I’ve had one in travel or rec ball.
How did you rack up four RBIs in the win over Armstrong on Wednesday?
I know I hit a double to the right side. Then I hit a popup just over the shortstop and one run scored off that and I drew a bases-loaded walk.
What’s the greatest number of hits you’ve recorded in a game?
It was probably over summer ball and I went 4 for 4. It was a crazy game. Everyone on the team played fantastic, and we ended up scoring like 15 runs in the third inning.
Aren’t those innings fun?
I love them, they’re great. That was what the Armstrong game was this week. Leah Waldsmith got up in the top of the third inning and hit an infield single, and we went off for nine runs in that inning.
How about total RBIs you’ve produced in a game?
I think it might have been the four I had in the Armstrong game.
What position(s) do you play?
Freshman and sophomore year, I played second base on varsity. This year, I moved over to shortstop because Pyper Ferres graduated. For travel ball, I’ll play wherever my coach needs me; sometimes I’ll play in the outfield.
How does it feel to step into that shortstop position?
It’s a lot of pressure, but I’m trying not to focus too much on it, trying to stay present. Pyper taught me so much the last two years. I loved learning from her. Coach Dave (Ferres) and Coach Daughtry also taught me a lot.
What’s the atmosphere around the team as it looks like you’re returning to the playoffs after a losing season last year?
From the outside perspective, everyone thought we were going to be a bad team. We lost three seniors and had to find a new head coach. They all saw us as underdogs, but if you know Burrell, we don’t like being the underdogs. We had to step up a little bit. The start of the season was a little rough, but we fixed it, came together and we’ve looked like a powerhouse ever since.
What’s it like playing for new coach Brandon Daughtry?
He’s a great coach. I love that guy. He was our assistant coach the last two years, and he’s the assistant girls soccer coach, so he knows everyone on the team. He knows our work ethic, likes to make sure we’re having fun by playing Wiffle ball in some practices to stay loose. He likes to make sure we don’t get too sore, wants us all to be healthy.
What were your preseason goals?
I wanted the team to be better than we were last year. Individually, I wanted to cut back on my errors and I feel like I’m doing that. At the plate, I wanted to be more consistent and get the ball in play.
Do you play any other sports at school?
No, but I do help out on the unified bocce team.
What are those bocce competitions like?
It’s crazy. You’d think the parents would be chill, not want to interrupt, but when teams get points, those parents get crazy, get loud. I get scared sometimes, but I love the energy.
Last film or TV show you watched?
Last film was “The Sandlot” and the last TV show was “All-American.”
Do you have a favorite film?
I love the “Scream” movies. They’re really good, and I love a good horror movie.
Are you a cat or dog person?
Dog. I have a boxer. I love the big dogs.
Favorite hobbies?
I love working out. Can’t go wrong with that. I also love hanging out with family and friends.
Favorite subject in school?
Math or physics.
Why physics?
Coach Nesko is our teacher, and we just have a great time in that class. He’s a really great teacher and knows everything he’s talking about.
Braden Miller
School: Kiski Area
Class: Junior
Sport: Track and field
Claim to fame: Miller took first place in the 110- and 300-meter hurdles with times of 14.76 and 39.99 seconds, respectfully, at the Slippery Rock Invitational on April 17. Then at the Westmoreland County Coaches Association championships Thursday, Miller once again took first in the 300 hurdles with a time of 39.37, a personal best.
How and when did you get started in hurdles?
It was in seventh grade. I signed up for track and a friend of a friend asked if I was going to do hurdles and, at the time, I didn’t know what they were, so I said yes and that started my hurdling career.
What’s the most important thing to remember when competing in the hurdles?
Staying aggressive and really attacking the hurdles, not being scared of them.
What are some of the differences between the 110 high hurdles and the 300 hurdles, and how do you mentally and physically prepare for each event?
For the 110s, I like to visualize the race, and it’s more technique oriented. They’re very technical. The 300 hurdles are an all-out sprint. I like to emphasize the get off from the gun because it sets you up for the latter part of the race.
Has there been any adversity that you have faced in your time in hurdles?
For my first two years in high school, we had a hurdling coach, Jace Roundtree, who was very talented when he was in high school and went to run at Akron, so you could say that he knew what he was talking about. This year he left to go coach at a university in North Dakota. So, just me adapting to what was a really big change for me, having someone who knew what he was doing to having a more self-orientated coaching where my training is up to me. That was hard to adapt to in the first few months.
What was your day like at the Slippery Rock Invitational and your reaction to finishing first in your events?
I had high expectations going in. The weather was nice, and Slippery Rock has always been a fast track for me. It felt good running in the prelims for the 110s and staying consistent. When I made the finals, I had to turn it up a little bit. I was a little nervous, but once I won those, I started to feel more confident, it took some stress off my shoulders. But once the 300s started, it was a little nerve-racking because I had in my mind that I could win both events, so nerves were high.
Then you took first at the WCCAs in the 300 hurdles. How did that feel, and what was your confidence level going in?
Going into the meet I had high confidence after the Slippery Rock Invitational and I had been working on some of the issues I had in that event. It felt so rewarding, like the work was paying off because I had run a personal best and I hadn’t posted a personal best since last March, so just over a full year.
How did you do at the 110 hurdles, if you raced that event at all that day?
I did race in that event and place third with a time of 14.42.
What were you hoping to work on, or focus on, coming into this season?
I just needed to be a better sprinter. I had the hurdling technique down, I just needed to be stronger and faster.
Do you have any school records?
I do not.
How close are you to breaking any?
I am close to breaking the school record for the 110s. I think I’m 0.24 away. I feel like it would make more sense if I broke it next year, but I wouldn’t be mad if I broke it this year. That school record is held by Coach Roundtree.
Do you participate in any other track and field events?
I do the 4-by-100 and sometimes the 4-by-400.
What’s it like to have the boys team repeat as section champions?
It’s amazing. The team atmosphere this year has been really good. My freshman year we lost the section championship, but won it last year. Having the opportunity to go back-to-back is exciting for everyone. Team morale is very high.
What are you looking forward to in the WPIAL team championships?
I’m looking forward to moving on to the finals. It’s very possible. We’ve been doing it all season long, no reason we can’t finish the job. We already beat Plum once and I feel we can make a statement on Tuesday.
What goals did you set for yourself at the start of the year?
I came in wanting to make state finals in the 110 and 300 hurdles.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve gotten in regards to hurdling?
To be aggressive.
Do you participate in any other sports at Kiski?
I do not.
What gets you in the zone prior to a meet?
Listening to music.
Any specific tune?
“Circo Loco” by Drake.
What is your favorite subject in school?
History.
What other hobbies do you enjoy outside of sports?
I like to hang out with my friends, play some pickup basketball with them.