Westmoreland County athletes of the week: Hempfield’s Milana Yannascoli, Sawyer Leuthold

By: Paul Schofield
Saturday, September 7, 2024 | 3:36 PM

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The Westmoreland County Athletes of the Week is presented by Smail Kia. Look for the tags and look for the savings at Smail Kia in Greensburg.

Milana Yannascoli

School: Hempfield

Class: Senior

Sport: Golf

Claim to Fame: Yannascoli captured her first Westmoreland County Coaches’ Association title by shooting a 4-over-par 41 at Champion Lakes Golf Resort Thursday and helped the Spartans to their first team title in school history.

How did it feel to win the WCCA title?

I’m just really excited. I’ve been playing bad the past few days, so I was just really nervous at first, but I think that my putting and chipping was really good (Thursday), so I think that saved me on a lot of the holes.

What does it mean to be a county champion?

I put a lot of work in over the past few years, and I just think it shows off my hard work. And I’m just really proud that I got to represent my team and helped my school to a win.

What does winning the team title mean?

That was really exciting. I don’t know what Franklin Regional’s winning streak was, but I’m excited for the first time in our history that we finally beat them. I know they’re super duper good, but it just means a lot to us.

What’s your goal for the rest of the season?

I really want to qualify for the WPIALs again. I missed a cut last year by one shot. I was really upset about it, but I’m going to keep working hard. Hopefully, I can make it and qualify for states.

How tough was it to fall short?

It was really tough. I thought I had a really good season for sure. I was sure I was going to make the cut, and then ended up missing it by one. It was just so frustrating. I couldn’t hit anything good. I was just mad.

What did you do this summer to make yourself a better golfer?

I played in a lot of Isaly’s tournaments. My dad put me in a lot of them, and I’m actually really thankful to him now for putting me in them because I got to play against really good competition this year.

What do you think you have to do to qualify for states?

I just think I must play a consistent two rounds. I think I can qualify for sectionals. I just want to limit the number of sixes I have. I’m going to try to get bogeys and pars.

How long have you been playing golf?

My dad introduced me to golf around 6 years old, and I did a few camps and stuff. But I really started playing my freshman year being serious about it.

What does it mean to be a four-time WCCA place winner?

I started my freshman year. I think I got 10th with a 52 and I think last year I shot a 42 so I got better every year.

What are your plans after high school?

I want to study to be a nurse. I’m not sure if I’ll play golf.

What is something you do that would surprise people?

I’m training to be an EMT at Penn Township Ambulance Rescue. I think it will help me in my career as a nurse.

What have you learned from your coach (Katie Gee)?

She actually cured my problem with my putting. I’ve been missing my 2- and 3-foot putts, and she just told me that I need to look over the ball a little bit more and see the alignment and it really helped me. I think it made a difference with six or seven strokes compared to Wednesday.

Who is your favorite golfer?

Viktor Hovland.

Do you have a favorite athlete?

I like rugby player Ilona Maher.

What’s your best round?

I shot a 77 at Glengarry.

What’s the last movie you watched?

I watched the “Phantom of the Opera.”

Where has golf taken you that you’d like to go back maybe for vacation?

We went to West Virginia. I played at Stonewall Golf Resort; I really like that course. I would like to go back there.

Does your family have a favorite vacation spot?

We go to Sarasota a lot. My grandpa has a condo down there.

Where would a dream vacation spot be?

I really want to go to Croatia. It’s so pretty there, and all the houses are just beautiful. I’d love to go there.

Where do you and your teammates go after a match for a snack?

We’re going to the Dairy Queen after this, and we’re going to make our own ice cream. So, I’m really excited for that.

If your mom was making you your favorite dinner, what would it be?

That’s a hard one. She makes this thing called chicken and leeks. It’s basically just chicken and cream sauce.

Do you have a dream car?

I think it’d be cool to have a red convertible.

What type of music do you listen to?

I like the oldies – a lot of ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s. I love the Beatles.

Favorite club in your bag?

I’d say my 7 wood. I hit that off the tee a lot, and it goes straight the majority of the time. I like it the most.

If you could have dinner with someone famous, dead or alive, who would it be?

Probably with Nelly Korda. I’ve always struggled with my mental game, and I feel like she’s a really good advocate for women and golf and everything. I think she’d be cool to talk to about golf.

Sawyer Leuthold

School: Hempfield

Class: Sophomore

Sport: Soccer/football

Claim to Fame: Leuthold scored two goals to help Hempfield defeat Derry, 4-2, and end its 41-game losing streak on Tuesday and then booted the winning 26-yard field goal with 32 seconds left Friday to help the football team defeat Kiski Area, 31-29. He has scored three goals this season.

Describe the feeling you had in the win against Derry?

There was a lot of excitement to finally get a win to end the losing streak. The coaches are building a different atmosphere around the program, and there is a better feeling in the locker room.

Why was the team able to pull out the victory?

We really had good practices leading up to the game. We practiced on Labor Day, and we came together as a team. It was a team win and we played as a team.

What are your goals this season?

I’m just trying to improve all aspects of my game so I can get a scholarship to college in either soccer or football. I’d like to be able to choose my offers.

What was the feeling in helping the football team to its first win of the season?

It was stressful. It was pouring rain. So I took deep breaths and pretended it was just an extra point. I split the uprights, and the team mobbed me. It was so exciting. We celebrated in the locker room.

What is your plan for college?

I’d like to pursue a sports medical program in college.

Who got you started in soccer?

My dad (Mike) got me started when I was 12. He was my coach, and I just remember how fun it was. My dad played soccer at Hempfield.

When did you start playing football?

Mr. (Nick) Keefer was my math teacher in eighth grade, and he asked me if I wanted to kick for the football team. I said why not, and it’s been a lot of fun.

Who is your favorite soccer player?

I like Messi. I enjoy watching him play.

Who is your favorite football player?

Atlanta kicker Younghoe Koo. I like the No. 7 and he wears it. I wear No. 7 in soccer, but No. 92 on the football team.

Where do you and your teammates head for a snack after practice or a game?

Sheetz. I usually get a burger.

What is your favorite meal that you mom makes?

I like her lasagna.

What is the last movie that you’ve watched?

“Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith.”

What are your favorite movies?

Anything “Stars Wars.”

What type of music do you listen to?

I like rap and country.

Who is your favorite artist?

21 Savage.

Where does your family go on vacation?

We either go to Myrtle Beach or Fort Lauderdale. I prefer Fort Lauderdale.

Do you have a dream vacation spot?

I want to go to the Bahamas.

Do you have a favorite sports team?

It’s the Steelers.

Who is your favorite player?

Justin Fields.

If you were to have lunch with someone famous, dead or alive, who would it be and what would you talk about?

Kobe Bryant and talk about his career and mentality.

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.