Westmoreland athletes of the week: Derry’s Justin Huss, Franklin Regional’s Rayna Todero

By: Andrew John
Tuesday, May 28, 2019 | 7:01 PM

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Justin Huss

School: Derry

Sport: Track and field

Year: Junior

Claim to fame: Huss set a school record after finishing fifth in the 400-meter run in 49.53 seconds at the PIAA Class AA championships at Shippensburg on Saturday.

“I was happy to place fifth. I was seeded sixth going into the meet so I finished a spot higher. I wanted to go out there and run my best time. I was able to do that,” Huss said.

What does it mean to break the school record in the 400?

It means a lot. My older brother, Will, was a record holder of the 400. My coach helped me run my best time at the most important part of the year. It felt pretty good to do that.

How do you think you can build off of this finish for next year?

I think I have to continue to work hard throughout the offseason. I need train in the offseason and summer to get faster and stronger so I can hopefully place higher at states next year.

What’s your favorite sport, football, basketball or track and field?

It depends whatever season I’m in. The sport in season is my favorite sport.

How can all three sports be beneficial for each other in your eyes?

They all help each other in a way. Football helps with mental toughness. Track helps with conditioning. Basketball helps with fast reaction times.

What’s your favorite snack?

Pretzels. That’s a snack I like to eat whenever I’m watching television.

Rayna Todero

School: Franklin Regional

Sport: Track and field

Year: Sophomore

Claim to fame: Todero set a school record after finishing eighth in the triple jump (37 feet, 8 inches) at the PIAA Class AAA championships at Shippensburg on Friday and Saturday.

“My season started off not the best, but at the end it finished better than it did last year. At states, I felt more ready than I was before,” Todero said.

What made you feel like you were more prepared this year?

I felt more prepared with the weather being nice, as well as knowing it was the last meet of the season made me just give it everything I had.

What does it mean to you to break a school record in your sophomore year?

I think it was a big accomplishment for myself. I didn’t know I was going to exceed my best, but I thought I was going to do well, especially at states where it means the most.

How do you think you can build off of this finish for next year?

It pushes me to work harder and work to exceed what I can do. It just provides me the focus for next year.

What was your favorite moment of the season?

My favorite moment of the season was states when I was able to break my own record and medal. For me to medal as a sophomore was a really exciting moment for me.

What is one thing people might not know about you?

Cheer is something I’ve done my whole life, and track has only just become a priority for me. It’s mainly been about cheer my whole life.

— Andrew John

Tags: Derry Area, Franklin Regional