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Athlete of the Week

C-K has young star on horizon

Name: Savanna Crissman School: Claysburg-Kimmel Age: 15 Grade: Freshman Sport: Softball Athlete of the week achievement: Crissman hit a two-run home run, her second of the postseason, to help Claysburg-Kimmel avenge a regular-season loss to West Branch and win the District 6 Class 1A championship game, 9-3. Season update: Crissman is hitting .316 and has 14 RBIs this season while playing third base for Claysburg-Kimmel. Coach Mike Barbarini’s quote: “Savanna has grown into a player we rely on greatly. As a ninth grader, she has developed into an athlete I’m looking ...

Washko was ‘born’ to lead CC

Name: Jack Washko School: Central Cambria Age: 18 Grade: Senior Sport: Baseball Athlete of the week achievement: Washko went 2-for-3 with a double, scored a run and drove in two runs after Central had cut Central Cambria’s lead to 7-4 in the Red Devils’ 9-6 District 6 Class 3A championship win. Season update: Washko is hitting .328 with 11 stolen bases through 23 games. Coach Dan Beyer’s quote: “Jack is a born leader and loved by all. All offseason, he would never miss an open gym. He always wants to get better. He always wants to help a teammate. He will do ...

Gillin providing spark for BC

Name: Preston Gillin School: Bishop Carroll Catholic Age: 16 Grade: Sophomore Sport: Baseball Athlete of the week achievement: Gillin went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a stolen base in an 8-6 win over Glendale in the District 6 Class 1A quarterfinals, and he went 2-for-3 with three RBIs in a 4-2 win over Portage in the semifinals. Season update: Gillin is hitting .333 (19-for-57) with 13 RBIs and 13 runs for the 10-12 Huskies, who play Bishop McCort in tonight’s championship game. Coach Bill Schenk’s quote: “Preston is a two-year starter, playing first and third ...

Francona, C-K rolling into final

Name: Bella Francona School: Claysburg-Kimmel Age: 16 Grade: Junior Sport: Softball Athlete of the week achievement: Francona went 7-for-9 in two playoff wins with two triples, two doubles, five RBIs, five runs and two stolen bases. Season update: Francona is hitting .528 with four home runs and 35 RBIs. She has six doubles and six triples and scored 34 runs for the 21-1 Lady Bulldogs, who play West Branch in the District 6 Class 1A final on Wednesday. Coach Mike Barbarini’s quote: “Bella is an athlete that works hard to better herself. She is a leader that leads by ...

Athlete of the Week: Williams sets Mansion mark

Name: Xavier Williams School: Altoona Area Age: 16 Grade: Junior Sport: Track and field Athlete of the week achievement: Williams broke the Mansion Park facility, District 6 and Altoona school record in the 110-meter hurdles with a District 6 championship time of 14.18. He also made it to the PIAA meet in the triple jump with a state-qualifying distance of 46 feet, 9.5 inches. Season update: Williams leads the Mirror’s track and field honor roll in the 110 hurdles and is second in the triple jump. Coach Paula Foreman’s quote: “Xavier has been blessed with a lot of ...

Athlete of the Week: Burkett dashes to state meet

Name: Cami Burkett School: Portage Area Age: 18 Grade: Senior Sport: Track and field Athlete of the week achievement: Burkett won the District 6 Class 2A championship in both the 100- and 200-meter dashes. She ran the 100 in 12.57 and broke her own school record in the 200 with a time of 25.66. Season update: Burkett leads the Mirror’s track and field honor roll in both the 100 (12.23) and the 200 (26.66) and will compete in both events at this week’s PIAA championships. Coach Lance Hudak’s quote: “Cami’s performance this week was extraordinary. As a returning ...