Westmoreland County athletes of the week: Franklin Regional’s Gianna Johnson, Mt. Pleasant’s Luke Rivardo

By: Paul Schofield
Saturday, September 9, 2023 | 4:30 PM

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Gianna Johnson

School: Franklin Regional

Sport: Golf

Class: Sophomore

Claim to fame: The sophomore surprised everyone, including herself, by winning the Westmoreland County Coaches’ Association girls tournament Thursday at Champion Lakes Golf Course in Ligonier. Johnson shot 4-over-par 40, tying her with returning champion Izzy Aigner of Greensburg Central Catholic. Johnson, however, won a scorecard playoff on the second-hardest hole, No. 4, on the front nine. She had a bogey and Aigner a double bogey. She also helped the Panthers win the county team title. She placed third as a freshman with a 43.

What was working well at Champion Lakes?

My putting was the key. I like the greens here, and I had four one-putts and the rest were two-putts.

Who introduced you to golf?

My mom (Angela Johnson) sent me to a golf camp when I was 7, and I loved it. I’ve been playing since then.

Franklin Regional has a long section winning streak (39 consecutive matches). Is it talked about among the players?

It’s definitely a motivator. We don’t want to be the team that ends that streak. It shows how hard we’ve worked to keep the streak going in winning all those matches even during tough seasons.

What is your favorite golf course?

I don’t know. Every place is pretty nice. I like the greens and the conditions at Champion Lakes.

Have you ever recorded a hole-in-one?

No, not yet.

Luke Rivardo

School: Mt. Pleasant

Sport: Soccer

Class: Senior

Claim to fame: The senior had a big week in helping Mt. Pleasant improve to 4-0. He scored a hat trick Thursday as the Vikings defeated rival Southmoreland, 7-0, and he had a goal and an assist in the Vikings’ 9-0 win against Brownsville. Rivardo has 48 career goals, seven this season. He has scored in every game. Now he hopes to lead the Vikings in big games this week against McGuffey and Belle Vernon. Rivardo hasn’t committed to any college yet, but his goal is to study business and finance and walk on at a big university.

What position do you play on the soccer field?

I play center defensive midfield. I make sure everything goes through me. I control the field. I’m like the point guard.

Do you play any other sports?

I’m the point guard on the basketball team.

What do you think about the new coach: Annie Malkowiak?

I like her. She’s cool. She knows what she’s talking about.

What’s your most memorable moment in soccer?

It was my freshman year, and we defeated North Catholic in the quarterfinals of the WPIAL playoffs and I scored the game’s first goal. We won 2-1.

What have you done in the offseason to make yourself a better player?

I go to the field and work on my foot skills. I do it by myself.

What are your goals and the team’s goals?

I want to score 20 goals again. I did it as a junior. As for the team, we want to win the section and do our best in the playoffs.

The team has big road games this week against McGuffey and Belle Vernon. What will it take to defeat them?

We have to move the ball well, cut down on our mistakes and finish around the goal. I’m looking forward to the challenge.

Who is the best player you’ve played against in high school?

Mike Sullivan of Deer Lakes. They smoked us in the playoffs, and he was the reason. He plays at Pitt now.

Who is your favorite soccer player?

I like Kylian Mbappe. He’s such a good player. He’s known for his dribbling abilities, his exceptional speed and how he finishes.

Do you have a dream vacation spot?

I love to visit Iceland and see the waterfalls and other venues.

What’s your favorite meal your mom makes?

I love chicken tenders and fries. My teammates and I will go to Sheetz, and that’s what I get.

What type of music to you like?

I like to listen to rapper Travis Scott.

If you were to have dinner with someone famous, who would it be and what would you talk about?

Elon Musk, and we’d talk about business and all of the great things he has done.

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.

Tags: Franklin Regional, Mt. Pleasant