A-K Valley’s athletes of the week: Kiski Area’s Delp, Plum’s Small

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, February 28, 2018 | 7:54 PM

---

Nick Delp

School: Kiski Area

Class: Sophomore

Sport: Wrestling

Report card: Delp, a runner-up in the WPIAL Section 1-AAA tournament last year at 152 pounds, defeated Greensburg-Salem's Luke Ewing in a 5-2 decision in the 160-pound championship match Saturday. Ranked No. 8 in the state by PA Power Wrestling, Delp will take a 33-7 season record into this weekend's WPIAL Class AAA Championships at Canon-McMillan. He has a career record of 62-18 and is also a starting striker on the Kiski Area boys soccer team.

How long have you been wrestling?

I've been wrestling for about 10 years, since I was 5.

Is there a lot of pressure to live up to Kiski Area's winning tradition?

Not really. I just go out and wrestle for myself. I try not to put pressure on myself by thinking of all that.

Every Kiski wrestler looked up to another Kiski wrestler as a kid. Who did you look up to?

Definitely Matt McCutcheon and Shane Kuhn.

What does it feel like to be ranked No. 8 in the state?

I don't know if I feel like No. 8 or a little higher. I don't pay any attention to the rankings.

Where do you need to improve going into this weekend's WPIAL championships?

I'd say more on my feet and neutral positions. I need to take more shots and let loose a little more.

What are your thoughts on being the fourth seed going into this weekend?

It's exciting because last year I was the seventh seed as a freshman.

Are there any wrestlers that you're hoping to matchup up against this weekend?

Yeah. I'm hoping to match up against Zach Hartman (Belle Vernon), Luke Stout (Mt. Lebanon) and Gerrit Nijenhuis (Canon-McMillian).

Who is the next great Kiski wrestler that nobody's heard of yet?

Either Enzo Morlacci (eighth grade), Ryan Klingensmtih (seventh), or even Brayden Roscosky (ninth).

How do you get pumped up before your match?

I just listen to music and stretch out real good.

If you were a WWE wrestler, what would your name be?

Maybe “Nicky Bear.” I've had that nickname since I was little. My neighbors call me that.

What do you eat on the day of a match?

I usually eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, some applesauce and a bottle of water.

What's your favorite food(s) to eat after a match?

Chicken wings from Kuhn's Crossroads.

What three words best describe you?

Funny. Determined. Focused.

What three people would you like to have dinner with?

Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg and Donald Trump.

What is your favorite subject at school?

Math.

What is something interesting about you that nobody knows?

I actually work on a pizza truck. My dad owns the PGH Pizza Truck. We go around and get invited to places and make pizza.

What's the most popular pizza you sell?

The “Tommy Pie.” We take figs and boil them down into a sauce, prosciutto, pistachios, baby arugula, balsamic glaze and sprinkle pistachios on top.

Shannon Small

School: Plum

Class: Sophomore

Sport: Bowling

Report card: Small reached the semifinals of the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Bowling League girls singles championships last Thursday. She bowled games of 192, 194 and 196 for a team-high series of 576 to lead Plum into the semifinal round of last month's WPIBL girls team championships at Butler's Family Bowl-Away. She bowled fourth in the Mustangs' 2-0 loss to Burrell in the best of three semifinal match. Small has a season-high game of 237 and a 650 series. She finished second in the WPIBL East conference in total pins (5789) and average-per-game (192.97).

How long have you been bowling?

Since I was 7. My dad always bowled. My brothers and my sisters always bowled.

Who is the best bowler in the family?

My dad (Bob).

How have you changed as a bowler from your freshman to sophomore years?

I've learned better technique. I feel like I've gotten better.

What's the most difficult oil pattern that you've bowled on?

I feel like this year's oil pattern (at the championships). It's called “Route 56.” It's long, and I have to throw the ball inside, in the middle.

Why has the Plum girls bowling team been so successful in recent years?

We've always had enough girls to bowl and most of the girls we have are really good bowlers.

How many games a week do you bowl?

On Saturdays, I bowl six games and, on every other Sunday, I bowl three games. I work at Nesbit's Lanes.

What do you do at Nesbit's Lanes?

I cook the food, clean and help wherever I can.

What kind of ball do you use?

I throw 15 pounds, and I have five balls in total. I'm getting another one soon.

Do you have a particular routine before you bowl?

I just grab my ball, use my rosin bag, and put my hand over the air that comes out of the ball return.

Who is the most underrated bowler on the team?

I feel like Amber Raitano came a long way because she started last year and now she's a senior.

What three words best describe you?

Competitive. Determined. Focused.

What three people would you like to have dinner with?

Marc-Andre Fleury, Ellen DeGeneres and Kris Letang.

What is your favorite subject at school?

Algebra.

Does math help you with bowling?

Yes, because of the angles.

What is something interesting about you that nobody knows?

I eat a peanut butter sandwich almost every day.

What is your favorite, creamy or crunchy peanut butter and what brand?

Creamy. Jif.

Tags: Kiski School, Plum