Name: Maria Snyder
School: Northern Bedford
Age: 16
Grade: Sophomore
Sport: Track and field
Athlete of the week achievement: Snyder won the Class AA 3,200-meter run and finished second in the 1,600 while also participating in the winning 3,200 relay in the West Central Coaches Meet on Friday. Earlier in the week, she won four events against Everett and two in a triangular with Conemaugh Township and Windber.
Season update: Snyder has the top times in the Mirror coverage area in both the 1,600 run (5:09.01) and 3,200 (11:04.23).
Distance coach Mark Muthler's quote: "She's a very hard worker who's very dedicated to training but also dedicated to being a good person. She is very coachable and an all-around great person. She's been anticipating running at the bigger venue against better competition, and she responded well.''
Favorite teacher: Mrs. Bowser
Favorite subject: Geometry
Favorite movie: "The Parent Trap''
Favorite food: Pasta
Favorite song: "I Gotta Feeling'' by The Black Eyes Peas
Outside interests: Tennis, dancing at Sigel's School of Dance
Favorite professional team: No preference
Favorite college team: Penn State
Pro athlete most admired: Brian Sell
Best athlete I ever played with: Nicki Leach
Best athlete I ever competed against: Homer-Center's Angel Piccirillo
Most influential person on my athletic career: "My parents [Gene and Mary], all of my track coaches and my brother, Matt.''
Proudest athletic achievement: Medaling at the 2010 PIAA Class AA Cross Country Championships by placing 17th
How I got my start in track and field: "My mom and I used to walk together, but three years ago she had hip replacement surgery, and she walked too slow. She suggested I run.''
Future goal: "To improve my times and run in college.''
