Trib HSSN athletes of the week: Pine-Richland’s Dane Dowiak, West Allegheny’s Britney Wilson

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, April 5, 2018 | 9:33 AM

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Dane Dowiak

School: Pine-Richland

Sport: Lacrosse

Class: Sophomore

Claim to fame: While WPIAL baseball and softball is off to a sluggish start because of the cold and wet weather, the lacrosse season is off to sizzling start for one Pine-Richland sophomore. Dane Dowiak scored 15 goals in Rams victories over defending champion Peters Township, North Allegheny and Mars, including eight goals on his birthday (March 27) against the Tigers. The eight goals in a game tied the Pine-Richland school record. As a freshman, Dowiak helped the Rams to a Section 4-AAA championship and the No. 2 seed in the WPIAL playoffs before being upset by eventual champion Peters Township, 11-10, in the quarterfinals.

You scored 15 goals in the first week of the season. What has been the key to your fast start?

Preparation. All the hard work and effort my teammates and I put in during camp and during the offseason really shows when we are out on the field. It starts with a positive attitude, that believing as a team that the more work we put in, the better the end result will be.

You scored eight goals on your birthday in a victory over North Allegheny. How special was that and have you had a better birthday?

It was really special to me. Beating one of our biggest rivals on our home field is the best birthday gift I could get, and getting to do it with my teammates made my day.

Those eight goals in a game tied the Pine-Richland school record. How does it feel to be in the record books, and is it something you'd like to break at some point in your Rams career?

It feels great being listed with some memorable names. I would like to break that record someday, but the most important thing to me is achieving our team goal of winning that WPIAL championship.

Pine-Richland was the No. 2 seed in the district playoffs last year and enjoyed a first-round bye. However, the Rams were upset by Peters Township. How tough was that after such a successful regular season?

It was a really tough situation. All our success during the regular season was great but during playoffs anything can happen, and we didn't execute the way we wanted to but we have to give Peters credit, they played a heck of a game. But I can guarantee that we will be back and more than ready this year.

How old were you when you started playing lacrosse, and do you play any other sports at Pine-Richland?

I started playing Pine-Richland Youth Lacrosse when I was 10. I played soccer and baseball before that. Also, I have been playing ice hockey since I was 2 and just last year verbally committed to pIay D1 hockey at Penn State University.

What are your top three favorite movies of all-time?

“Miracle,” “Crooked Arrows,” “Transformers.”

What are all the things you would put on your favorite sandwich? What is the key to a good sandwich?

My favorite sandwich is a turkey, lettuce and cheese. It's always been my go-to sandwich. The key to a good sandwich is lots of turkey.

Britney Wilson

School: West Allegheny

Sport: Softball

Class: Sophomore

Claim to fame: It is the hope of all ball players that they begin the season on a high note in helping their teams get out of the gates quickly. If that's the case, Britney Wilson is singing soprano after her and defending WPIAL Class 5A champion West Allegheny's trip to South Carolina last week. In the six games played at the Ripken Complex in Myrtle Beach, Wilson hit .715 with a double, four triples, a home run and 15 RBIs, as the Indians went 5-1. Her trip was highlighted by hitting for the cycle in a victory over Eastlake North High School from Ohio. As a freshman last spring, Wilson played first base while her sister Brooke, now at Cal (Pa.), was the team's catcher as West A finished 23-2.

You and the team got off to a great start at the Ripken Complex last week. What was the key to your early-season success?

I think the key to my success in the batter's box was attacking the strike zone early. I would see the pitch and if it was something I could drive, I would swing. Though I would credit my hitting techniques to my father, our JV head coach, who has helped my swing develop since I was 10 years old.

You hit for the cycle in a victory over Eastlake North. What was the order of the single, double, triple and home run, and did you realize you had a chance for the cycle before your final at-bat?

I believe the order was triple, single, double and then the home run. I honestly didn't realize I had the chance to hit for the cycle until my final at-bat until I was told by my teammates.

Is there a lot of pressure on you and your teammates after winning the WPIAL championship a year ago?

I don't think there is any pressure regarding last year because the WPIAL championship is too far ahead to worry about and look to. Even our games next week are too early to worry about. We, as a team, are taking the season one game and one practice at a time.

Besides winning it all, was there a moment from the 2017 season that you think about or that stands out?

For me, the WPIAL semifinal sticks out to me, not only because I hit the walk-off single, but because I recovered from a bad hitting game. I got a single my first at-bat, but then struggled my next three at-bats. Then, I went into the plate the fifth at-bat with a clear mind and let muscle memory take over.

You are back behind the plate as catcher for the Indians. How is your relationship with pitcher Ashley Seamon and how did she look in South Carolina?

We have a good relationship. From the very first practice she threw, I knew we would work well together as a duo. At Myrtle Beach she did extremely well. She knows what she wants to do, and she gets it done.

Besides softball, what was the highlight of the trip to Myrtle Beach?

Probably going to Broadway at the Beach with my teammates because we could bond over something non-softball related. We could have a relaxing day on the “business trip” we approached the spring training as.

Since we are fresh off the Easter holiday, what are some of your favorite candies?

My favorite candies are probably foiled milk chocolate eggs and sour gummy worms.

Don Rebel is a TribLIVE High School Sports Network broadcaster and staff writer. Reach him at drebel@tribweb.com.

Tags: Pine-Richland, West Allegheny