Name: Maria Snyder
School: Northern Bedford
Age: 18
Grade: 12
Sport: tennis
Athlete of the week achievement: Snyder, playing as an independent because her school does not have a tennis program, won the District 5 singles championship last week with a 6-1, 6-0 win over Windber's Katie McClain. It was her second straight singles title, and she did not drop a set the entire tournament.
Season update: Snyder, who also runs cross country in the fall at Northern Bedford, will compete at states on Friday, Nov. 2.
Coach Brian Denis' quote: "Very few kids can go and be that good and not have a team to play on. I think it makes it so much more difficult. She takes the time out of her schedule to practice. She is just an exceptional athlete. She is a special kid, such a hardworker. Not every kid could do what she does. She takes this all upon herself to do all of this. She is all over the state [for cross country]. It takes a special individual to perform and excel at all of these."
Favorite teacher: Mrs. Bowser
Favorite subject: Calculus
Favorite movie: "The Parent Trap"
Favorite food: Pasta
Favorite song: "The Fighter" by Gym Class Heroes
Outside interests: Running
Favorite professional team: San Francisco 49ers
Favorite college team: Penn State
Pro athlete most admired: Brian Sell
Best athlete I ever played with: Mariah Turiano
Best athlete I ever competed against: Megan Bettwy
Most influential person on my athletic career: My coaches, Brian and Amanda Denis, and my parents, and my brother Matt.
Proudest athletic achievement: Medaling at states the last two years in track, and winning the district title in tennis this year.
How I got my start in tennis: Playing at a tennis camp in Martinsburg when I was little.
Future goal: Go to college, major in education and run cross country and track.
