Westmoreland H.S. athletes of the week: GCC’s Riley Kerr and Latrobe’s P.J. Germano

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, September 16, 2023 | 7:03 PM

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Riley Kerr

School: Greensburg Central Catholic

Class: Junior

Sport: Soccer

Claim to fame: Kerr has scored 12 goals in four games for the Centurions. An All-WPIAL forward last season, she netted four goals in a 7-1 win over Seton LaSalle, then tallied a career-high six scores in a 14-1 win over Serra Catholic.

What was it like scoring six times in one game?

It’s great to help the team, but everyone is trying hard to do their job. We have a small roster. We played the Serra game with no subs. So, we sort of have to try to build a cushion for when we run out of gas.

How much are you and the team looking forward to playing Springdale again?

I would give up all the goals to have Ella (Machusko) back on the field. Her ACL tear just crushed us because it not the way her high school career should have ended. I don’t think we really recovered in the game after that. We are all looking forward to trying to get a win in the next game. We should be more organized and ready to play on a better surface.

Who is your favorite pro soccer team?

I have to say Glasgow Celtic or my dad will make me leave home.

Who is your favorite pro soccer player?

(Lionel) Messi. After winning the World Cup, he is the goat.

Do you like going to Pittsburgh Riverhounds games?

I have never gone to watch one. We watch a lot of soccer on TV but have not gone to watch the Hounds.

Your dad, Martin, is an assistant coach? What is like having him around?

I was not in love with the idea. He can be pretty strict. But I understand why he became involved. Last year was not a great environment to play in, so it was important to him to try and help with that. He cares about the girls on the team, so we make it work and it’s not as bad as I thought.

He has a thick Scottish accent. Why don’t you also have one?

Coach Derek is Scottish, too. So even though I don’t have the accent I end up doing a bit of translating, even if it’s just words they use that we don’t. I think being that everyone else around me has our accent, I don’t pick his up. I can do a good impression of him when he is angry.

Were you born in the U.S.? What is your hometown?

I was born in Latrobe Hospital, and I live in Greensburg.

Do you have any interesting hobbies or interests?

I love to ski and do that most weekends in the winter. In the summer, I like to fish and do stuff outdoors.

Who is the team prankster, bookworm and “mom”?

Prankster would be me and Addie Vacanti. Bookworm is easy, that’s Claire Miedel. She tutors us on the bus. Team mom I think is Leah Jones and Sienna Voetch. They are always there when we need a pickup.

What has been the biggest change with coach Derek Cuthbert?

Although he is strict, we can tell he cares about us as a group. We are learning to trust him. He is still very good on the field, so it’s not just words. He is able to demonstrate, too. He is willing to do anything needed to help us. He improves us individually, and he has brought us much closer as a team.

Are you hearing from any colleges about playing at the next level?

I have been talking to schools, but I have no idea where I want to go or what I want to do, which makes it hard. I am starting to discuss it more with my parents now as I know this year will be very important to the process. I have always been in small schools, and that’s what I comfortable with and don’t want to be too far from home.

P.J. Germano

School: Latrobe

Class: Senior

Sport: Golf

Claim to fame: Germano led the team to two big wins last week and helped clinch the section title. He shot a 2-under-par 34 on Monday at Indiana Country Club to defeat Indiana and a 1-under 35 on Friday at Latrobe Country Club to defeat Hempfield. Latrobe also defeated Armstrong at Latrobe Country Club to defeat the River Hawks. He shot 42.

Talk about your two low rounds this past week?

At Indiana, it was my putting that was strong. I made a lot of them because the Indiana players were pushing me to play my best. Against Hempfield, I hit a lot of greens. I hit my iron well. We knew if we won, we’d win the section. Hempfield had beaten us at Greensburg Country Club earlier in the season.

How big was the win Friday?

It was huge. We knew Hempfield wasn’t going to back down because they had beaten us earlier. If we would have lost, we would have tied Indiana and Penn-Trafford for the title. When we lost to them, we knew we had to win out and that motivated us.

Talk about the section?

It was tough. There was a lot of balance, and a lot of good teams. We had to play well as a team.

What are your goals and the team’s goal?

I just want to do my best, qualify for the WPIAL tournament and make the state tournament. As for the team, we reached one goal by winning the section. Now I want to see how far we can go. I’ve never participated in the team tournament, and I think that’s going to be cool to play in it. Hopefully we can go far.

What were your best scores — nine holes and 18 holes – during your career?

My best nine-hole score was a 30 at Glengarry and then a 65 for 18 holes at the course during the same round.

What is the best course you have ever played?

I really liked Allegheny Country Club. It’s a beautiful course.

Is there a course you want to play on your bucket list?

I’ve heard so many great things about the Pittsburgh Field Club.

What’s it mean to be from Latrobe and graduate from the school that the late Arnold Palmer was from?

I feel it’s an honor to be able to play golf where he played. It’s a surreal feeling knowing that you’re playing on his golf course.

What clubs are in your golf bag?

I have a mixed bag. I have a PING driver and PING irons. I have a Callaway 3-wood, Titleist Vokey wedges and an Odyssey putter. I play a Titleist Pro-V1 ball.

What is your favorite club?

Probably my 3-wood.

What would your dream vacation spot be?

Probably Italy. They have great food, and it’s where my ancestors are from. I’d love to see where they grew up.

What is your favorite golf movie?

I like “Tin Cup.” It’s so funny.

What is your favorite meal your mom makes?

Everything she makes is great. She’s a great cook. I really love her ribs.

Where is the go-to place for you and your teammates after a match?

Dino’s in Latrobe. I love their hot wings.

If there was a person, dead or alive, that you’d would want to have dinner with, who would it be and what would you talk about?

It has to be Mr. Palmer. I love to talk golf and about all of his experiences and hear all his stories.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Greensburg C.C.