NICOLE ZAMBETTI
School: Pittston Area
Year: Freshman
Sport, position: Track and field, mile, 800,4X800 relay, 4X400 relay
Family: Becky, mom; Joe, dad; Leah, sister
Last week: In one of the biggest meets of the season, Zambetti was a triple winner with victories in the 800 and the 3,200 and 1,600 relays. It was in the latter race that the freshman lost her shoe towards the end of the race. She was able to hold off a charging Abby Zolner of Dallas for the win. The victory put the unbeaten Patriots girls on the brink of the WVC Division 1 title.
What she says: “My teammate accidentally stepped on (my shoe) during the hand off. I tried to keep it on, it slipped off on the last 100. … It felt weird, I was unbalanced, but for the last 100 meters I had to do whatever to beat (Zolner).”
Coach says: “Nicole has done a great job competing on the varsity level as a freshman against excellent competition. She was able to help us win. That relay, pretty much put us right where we needed to be to (win). She ran the last 100 meters without her shoe, that’s not a common thing.” — Joe Struckus, varsity girls track and field coach
Cake or cookies: Cookies
Favorite healthy snack choice: Apple slices
Cats or Dogs: Dog
What’s your pet’s name: Allie
Favorite color: Blue
Why did you start playing track and field?: Seventh grade
Oreos or Chips Ahoy: Chips Ahoy
Favorite chick flick: “The Fault in Our Stars”
Is a hotdog a sandwich?: No
Favorite memory from the season: Going to Ice Breakers in East Stroudsburg with the team; Winning Dallas meet
Favorite subject in school: Science
Favorite food: Pizza
What do you put on your pizza: Just cheese
Outside hobbies: Hanging out with friends and family
A place you’d like to visit: Hawaii
If you could have one superpower, what would it be? Invisibility
What’s your dream job?: Be a dentist
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JOSH KOPCZA
School: Wyoming Area
Year: Senior
Sport, position: Baseball, pitcher
Family: Joseph, dad; Karen, mom; Seth, brother; Alyssa, sister
Last week: In a game against Pittston Area at PNC field, Kopcza went 6 1/3 innings, striking out nine and giving up one hit in the Warriors’ 4-1 win. The senior was named the Ashby MVP and was presented the trophy from former professional pitcher, Andy Ashby.
What he says: “It felt like I was under a microscope with everybody there. More people were there than at a normal game. Probably the second or third inning (is when I started to feel comfortable). I got my confidence as the game went on. I felt like I knew I how to attack every batter and everything was working for me.”
Favorite type of candy: Chocolate
Favorite healthy snack choice: Protein shake
Cats or Dogs: Dogs
What’s your pet’s name: Blue and Morgan
Why did you start playing baseball?: 5 years-old
Favorite cartoon: Scooby-Doo
Krispy Kreme vs. Dunkin’ Donuts: Krispy Kreme
Favorite song right now: “Gasolina” Daddy Yankee
Favorite sports team: New York Yankees
Favorite/Go to pitch? Four-seam fastball
Favorite TV show: “Quick Pitch”
Favorite action movie: “Saving Private Ryan”
Favorite memory from the season: Game against Pittston Area at PNC Field
Favorite teacher: Mrs. Mennig, pre-calculus
Favorite subject in school: History
Kanye West, yes or no: No
Favorite Athlete: Marcus Stroman
What do you put on your pizza: Just cheese
Outside hobbies: Hanging out with friends
Favorite book: “The Arm: Inside the Billion-Dollar Mystery of the Most Valuable Commodity in Sports”
A place you’d like to visit: Hawaii
What are you binge watching: “Game of Thrones”
What’s your dream job?: Professional baseball player
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