Name: Derek Mathews
School: Altoona
Age: 18
Article Photos
Grade: 12
Sport: Ice hockey
Athlete of week achievement: Mathews recorded a hat trick in a 4-1 win over Greensburg Salem, then followed that with two goals in another 4-1 victory over Greensburg Salem.
Season update: Mathews has scored 34 goals and added 10 assists for a total of 44 points for Altoona, which has a 7-9 record.
Coach Garth Rhodes's quote: "He's worked really hard for his senior year, and he's really stepping up for the playoff push and making everybody around him a whole lot better."
Favorite teacher: Mrs. Bender
Favorite subject: Calculus
Favorite movie: "The Hangover"
Favorite food: Tacos
Favorite song: "Heart of a Champion" by Nelly
Outside interests: Baseball
Favorite pro team: Los Angeles Kings
Favorite college team: Michigan
Pro athlete most admired: Alexander Frolov
Best athlete I ever played with: Jamesy Rossi
Best athlete I ever competed against: Mikael Lemieux
Most influential person on my athletic career: Dave Weaver, Garth Rhodes and my dad
Proudest athletic achievement: Winning the state championship two years ago
How I got my start in ice hockey: I had skating lessons at PSU when I was 4.
Future goal: I want to achieve a degree in math education at West Chester University.
