Caroline Grimsley
School: Fox Chapel
Class: Senior
Sport: Lacrosse
Claim to fame: Grimsley had three goals and three assists for the No. 4-seeded Foxes (13-3) in an 11-5 win over No. 3 Upper St. Clair in the WPIAL Class 3A third-place game to see who would advance to the PIAA playoffs. To date, Grimsley, a team captain, has 31 goals and 56 assists this year and has totaled 265 career points.
Big win Thursday over Upper St. Clair to advance to states. What was the reaction at the completion of the game?
We were so excited. The whole game we knew we were going to win. Overjoyed to get the opportunity to go out and play at least one more game.
What are you and the team looking forward to most about the state playoffs?
Being able to spend one last tournament together. We weren’t ready to separate. We are having so much fun.
A great run through the WPIAL playoffs ended in a loss to Mt. Lebanon in the semifinals. What was the best team highlight in that run?
The first time we played Mt. Lebanon this season, we played an amazing game and only lost by three. Our Penn-Trafford game in the second round, I thought we played well, played together. I believe that all of our attackers scored a goal in that game.
What were some of the highlights from the regular season?
A big one was when me and fellow team captain Caroline Leland had back-to-back games where I produced my 200th career point and she scored her 100th career goal. It was just so much fun celebrating those two milestones with our teammates.
How did you get started in lacrosse?
I started my seventh-grade year. My older sister played, but only for a few years. A lot of my friends wanted to try it out, and I said I’ll do it too. We were all pretty decent, so I joined a club team, and that’s how I really got into it.
You have led the team in points the last three years, averaging 79 points a season. To what do you attribute being such a prolific scorer?
I feel like I put a lot of pressure on myself to go out and score as many goals as I can. But knowing I can be a game changer for our team gives me the confidence to go out and perform the way I do.
You scored 47 goals last year and dished out 56 assists this year. Which achievement means more to you and why?
My assists mean a lot more to me. Goals are a very big aspect of the sport, but assists are different. It’s me and someone else contributing to the team’s success. It also means a lot to me to help someone else reach their achievements and their goals.
You are also only the second player in the last 10 years at Fox Chapel to have 100 assists. What are your thoughts on that stat?
That’s exciting and a big honor for me. It feels great to help my teammates add to their goal totals and add to the team’s goal totals.
What did it mean to you to have scored 100 goals by your junior year?
It was nice to share it with last year’s senior Meg Delaney. We achieved that mark in back-to-back games. It means a lot to me.
What have you taken away from your time playing lacrosse?
I’ve learned a lot about self confidence and not worrying so much about my mistakes. As an underclassman, I put an insane amount of pressure on myself to get those goals, get those points, but all that mattered was trying and playing my best, helping my teammates and playing the best I could.
You have been selected as a three-time all-section player. What was your reaction to hearing that news in those seasons and what’s that honor mean to you?
I was so honored. It means a lot to me. My sophomore year I was more surprised, but these last two years I knew I could achieve that honor again.
What were your individual goals coming into the season?
To get my 200th career point and my 100th career assist. I feel like I went above and beyond with that because I have over 260 career points. Another big goal was to become a team captain.
What’s the greatest number of goals you’ve scored in a game?
I think eight was the most and that occurred my sophomore year.
What’s the greatest number of points you’ve scored in a game?
It might have been our Penn-Trafford game in the playoffs this year when I had seven assists and two goals.
Favorite hobbies?
I like to go on runs and walks, anything where I’m physically active, and I like to paint. I mostly like to hang out with my friends and family.
Anything you specifically like to paint?
I’ve been painting a lot of sailboat scenery of late, like water stuff. My grandma was a painter, and she gave me all her painting stuff.
You’re off to the University of Tampa in the fall. What do you plan on studying?
I’m studying biology on a pre-medical track. I’m thinking radiology, but not sure yet.
You are also in talks with the girls lacrosse coaches about walking on. How excited are you about that prospect?
That would be so amazing and mean so much. Just having the opportunity to talk with them about walking on would be amazing. My former coach, Eric Ingram, is a coach at Point Park University and he’s been helping me out with that a lot.
What is one piece of advice you’d want to leave your teammates before you graduate?
Take it all in. Don’t worry about your mistakes because you’re the only one paying attention to them. I would also tell them to be confident in themselves.
Lukas Duncan
School: Riverview
Class: Junior
Sport: Baseball
Claim to fame: Duncan was the winning pitcher for the No. 4-seeded Raiders (14-7) in a 4-2 victory over No. 5 Laurel on Monday in the WPIAL Class 2A baseball playoffs. Duncan tossed a complete game, giving up two runs, one earned, on seven hits, striking out six, and didn’t allow a walk. He also scored the game-winning run to seal the victory. Riverview will play No. 3 seed South Side in the third-place game to decide who will advance to the PIAA playoffs.
What was working for you on the mound in Monday’s game?
Honestly, everything. I was feeling very comfortable with all my pitches and executed them pretty well. I was feeling confident overall.
Which of your six strikeouts were you most proud of?
Probably their three-hole hitter. He was a good hitter for them all season and was one we were keeping a watch on. Striking him out was pretty solid for me.
Take me through the at-bat you had to get on base before scoring the winning run?
First pitch, I got hit, stung a little bit. Then I tried to get myself into scoring position. I stole second and went to third on a single.
Where did you get hit?
Right in the elbow.
How did you end up coming around to score?
It was a balk.
Being a pitcher yourself, what did the opposing pitcher do and did you pick it up immediately?
Yeah, I saw it, and it was a good job by the ump to also see it. He started pitching form the wind-up but then stopped and stepped off.
Laurel scored a lot of runs this season. What was the best part about holding them to just two runs?
I just went up there throwing strikes, knowing my guys would make the plays behind me. I wasn’t worried about our defense at all, which makes me more confident in pitching in the zone. We have a lot of trust in each other. If one guys falls short, the other guys are there to pick him up.
The team now has a chance to make it to the PIAA playoffs with a win Tuesday. Playing South Side for the third time this season, tell me about the first two times you guys played.
First game, we hit them pretty well, but our defense was a little iffy. Our pitching was fine in both those regular season games we played. We won the first game 6-5. We hit the ball and made up for our defense that day. The second game we lost 2-1 and faced a good pitcher. But our bats weren’t there. If we hit the ball and lock in on our fielding, we’ll be fine.
Are you guys expecting another tough, one-run game?
I think it’s something we knew coming into the playoffs, that there weren’t going to be any super high-scoring games. We know how to play, are comfortable in those one-run contests. If we can produce some runs and stay comfortable, we’ll be all right.
You guys made states last year after winning the third-place game but lost in the first round to Mercyhurst Prep. What did the team learn from that loss to hopefully go further in that bracket this year?
We out-hit Mercyhurst last year in that loss, and we learned that a run in states is not that far off. It gave us the perspective that even though we were the three seed out of the WPIAL, we were still one run away from an upset. Showed us it’s doable, within reach. We have to keep that same mindset.
What’s been the key to the team’s success this year?
Our pitching is what has kept us in games, kept us elite. We only have 12 guys on the team, so everyone knows one another and we have a strong bond, which is very important. We lost a lot of seniors form last year which had us unsure of where we would be this season. As the season went along, we saw ourselves coming together as a team, playing our game, playing to our potential. It didn’t surprise us. We kept our heads down and put the work in.
Playing with your twin brother, Miles, who is a catcher, must be quite an experience.
It’s truly special. We’re always on the same page, and I don’t shake him off much. We always have the same gameplan going into a game. We watch film together, talk about it together. If I give up a hit, we’ll talk about what we need to do differently the next time that batter comes to the plate. Some people might not have that relationship with their catcher, and I think that takes our games to a whole other level.
Does it happen often that you guys are battery mates?
Yeah. I have not had another catcher very much.
Do you hope to play in college?
For sure. That’s been a goal and driving factor for me. I would love to play at any level, just to be able to keep playing for as long as I can.
What are your favorite hobbies?
I like photography. I take a lot of pictures.
Anything specific you like to take pictures of?
I’ve taken pictures of sports and portraits, but I’ve found it most enjoyable taking pictures of cities and landscapes.
Favorite baseball player?
Manny Machado. I played third base a lot growing up. He was a young stud, and I liked how he played, how he hit. It’s also why I wear number 13.
What are you looking forward to most about summer?
Playing a lot of baseball, spending time with my friends. Also looking to get myself out in front of a lot of coaches, making that stride to play in college.