Here’s who you named Centre Daily Times Boys and Girls Athlete of the Spring Season
Editor’s note: This is the final Athlete of the Week poll for the 2021-22 school year. Thank you to all who voted, and look for weekly polls to return in the fall.
Bald Eagle Area athletes swept the Centre Daily Times Boys and Girls Athletes of the Season vote for the spring.
In the boys poll, Eagles baseball’s McGwire Heverly won with 51% of the vote (10,016 votes), followed by Penns Valley baseball’s Maclain Welshans with 24% of the vote (4,745 votes) and State College boys lacrosse’s Cooper Brushwood with 20% of the vote (3,825 votes).
Heverly was extremely excited to win the award, citing a strong support system among his coaches, teammates and the Bald Eagle community.
“There were some amazing athletes nominated who will all go on to great things,” Heverly said via email. “Sports and baseball have been important to me. I made lifelong friendships and learned some important lessons while being involved in baseball. I also want to thank my friends and family for believing in me and being there and helping me through the tough times. I enjoyed my high school career and will miss BEA but look forward to having success playing at the next level.”
The Bald Eagle senior had a batting slash line of .361/.410/.625 and owned an on-base plus slugging percentage of 1.035 as a batter. He also had a 2.44 ERA as a pitcher, tossing 28.2 innings, striking out 42 batters, walking 16 and allowing just 10 runs.
Heverly took home a victory for the CDT Athlete of the Week for April 18-23 when he went 2-for-3 in a 12-2 victory over Huntingdon on April 19, driving in three runs. He also pitched six innings, allowing five hits and two runs, while walking four batters and striking out 11. He went on to go 4-for-5, driving in two runs in a 15-7 win over Southern Huntingdon on April 23.
He also threw a no-hitter with 13 strikeouts against Clearfield the week after winning athlete of the week. The senior was named as a first-team Mountain League selection this season.
Bald Eagle first-year softball pitcher makes her mark
In the girls poll, Bald Eagle softball’s Sierra Albright finished with 55% of the vote (1,169 votes). She was trailed by Philipsburg-Osceola softball’s Alivia Bizzari, who had 21% of the vote (459 votes) and Bellefonte girls lacrosse’s Molly McKee, who earned 10% of the vote (210 votes).
Lady Eagles head coach Don Lucas discussed the importance of his first-year pitcher’s success and how she imbued the team with energy. Her even-keeled demeanor while stepping into the circle allowed her to stay focused.
“What impressed me was Sierra’s ability to stay calm in big games,” Lucas said via email. “She was always settled within herself and knew she had seven teammates behind her supporting her defensively and a very good catcher (Kailey Eckert) she could depend on consistently. She developed an off-speed pitch that in my opinion was the best I have seen and it complemented her fastball and spin pitches making them even better. I believe she has just scratched the surface of what she can accomplish, but Sierra also knows that hard work only makes that possible.”
Albright added:
“When I found out I won the award, I was surprised and very honored to be selected with so many other deserving athletes,” she wrote via email. “Centre County schools have so many talented athletes and to be chosen as the top athlete helped make my first year as a varsity starter complete. I also want to say that my teammates helped make this possible. I want to thank all of those who voted for me.”
Albright pitched 122.2 innings, carrying a 2.54 earned run average, a walks plus hits per innings pitched stat of 1.052, while striking out 191 batters, allowing 44 walks and 46 runs in 21 games. Among her accolades were winning a District 6 Class 3A championship with the Lady Eagles, along with winning two games in the PIAA Class 3A softball playoffs to advance to the semifinals. She was named as a second-team Mountain League selection for her effort in 2022.
The first-year pitcher won the Centre Daily Times Athlete of the Week vote for May 23-28 when she led the Lady Eagles to a 2-1 victory on May 23 over Central Cambria in the District 6 Class 3A playoffs, allowing just two hits and one run over 10 innings while striking out 18 batters. She allowed just two hits and no runs over seven innings and struck out 18 Central batters once again May 26 in the District 6 Class 3A semifinal.
Bald Eagle athletic director Doug Dyke weighed in on his district’s accomplishment.
“Anytime a school district our size can win a contest like this let alone two of them is a big deal,” Dyke said. “It means that our fans enjoy watching and supporting our student athletes. I want to thank everyone that voted for Sierra and McGwire.”
