Westmoreland high school athletes of the week for May 18, 2025: Derry’s Sophia Mazzoni and Mt. Pleasant’s Jarret Garn

By: Bill Beckner Jr. And Paul Schofield
Saturday, May 17, 2025 | 9:10 PM

Purchase Photo Options

Previous Next

Sophia Mazzoni

School: Derry

Class: Senior

Sport: Track & field

Claim to fame: Mazzoni, an Auburn commit, won her third straight WPIAL championship in the javelin. Her winning throw sailed 156 feet at Slippery Rock University. Mazzoni won back-to-back Class 2A titles but Derry was bumped up to 3A this season as part of WPIAL realignment. She took third in the event as a freshman. Mazzoni will try for a second straight PIAA title in Shippensburg.

You had to compete in 3A this year. What was different about the competition, and did you change anything to your approach?

As we entered triple-A , I saw it as a challenge. I thought to myself how cool it’d be getting ahold of a 3A medal along with the past years. It is very exciting seeing new faces and meeting new athletes from all over. I am super excited for states. It is going to be a fun event.

Are you on track with your goals as far as your throws? How far do you think you can send it?

I am on track, and I am proud of my consistency throughout the past couple of weeks. I truly do think I can send one out there, but we will have to wait and see at “the Ship.”

Other than moving up in class, what about this WPIAL title was different than the other two?

As I stepped onto the podium, I got very emotional knowing it was the last time I’d being doing so. I think as a high school student-athlete, once you get to the end, it is very surreal. This WPIAL championship was very fun, and I really enjoyed the moment with everyone around me.

Where do you keep your gold medals?

I keep most of my gold medals in my room hanging up. Although, last year I clinched a state title. I keep that gold medal in my lucky bag that I take with me for track meets.

How is Auburn track and field doing this season?

Auburn is doing very well. For the throws, there has been many PRs, and it is so cool to see them performing at the highest level you can get. They are currently at Kentucky University for the SEC championship, and, so far, we have a lot of scorers for the team. I cannot wait to get down there and compete with the best of the best.

What will you do to prepare for the PIAA meet?

I want to make sure I am healthy physically and mentally. Along with working very hard in the gym and runway. I want to make a big move at states this year, and I am looking forward to it.

What will it take to win a state title?

To win the 2025 state championship this year will take determination. It is only me against myself, and If I go out there and compete against my competitors it should be a fun time.

You can only listen to one song for the rest of your life. What is it?

I would pick “Broken Clocks” by SZA. She is my favorite artist.

Are you planning to go to any concerts this summer?

No, I am not. I will be leaving to go down to Auburn for the summer session. But maybe there will be some down there.

What do you like to do for fun on the weekends?

I love to spend time with my family along with playing pickleball with my friends.

People would be surprised to know I ________?

Like to juggle random objects if I see them. Most of the time I juggle oranges at lunch for my friends to watch.

What goes through your mind just before you throw?

All I think about is trusting God. I think putting your worries to the side and trusting in the time I have put in. Trusting my technique and being confident with what I know. Towards the end, right before I throw, I try to let it all out, and I go hard with my scream hoping it was a good toss.

How far can you throw a football?

I can throw a football around the same as a javelin, sometimes I can’t get the grip down though.

Do you miss softball?

I miss playing the game. It was my ride-or-die sport, and at that time I couldn’t see myself not playing in college. I miss throwing people out at second, and I miss hitting home runs for sure. But I think focusing on track and field was the best thing for me, and I am glad I did it.

Jarret Garn

School: Mt. Pleasant

Class: Senior

Sport: Track and field

Claim to fame: Garn won the WPIAL Class 2A 200-meter dash May 14 a year after falling by one-hundredth of a second. He ran 22.55. He also played football and soccer and will attend Saint Vincent College to play football and study aviation.

What’s your thoughts about winning the WPIAL title?

It was nice to come back and win it my senior year. This is my last time here, and I was glad to reach that goal. Now, I am focused on states. I placed 13th last year. I want to run two more races and get on the podium.

Have you won any other big meets?

No. We were in a few, and I competed against some tough runners from Class 3A. I ran well and got on the podium.

Are you excited to make a return trip to Shippensburg?

I am eager to compete against some talented runners across the state. I was hoping the 4-by-400-meter relay team would qualify. We just missed qualifying.

You are committed to play football at Saint Vincent. Are you going to run track?

If I can. I’d like to continue competing in track.

I know you have been trying to get your pilot’s licenses. How is that going?

With school and sports, I have not been able to build up my flying time. I am going to start it up again. My goal is to be a commercial pilot.

People would be surprised to know that I ________ ?

Bake. I have made cheesecake, pies, brownies and apple cobbler with a little brother. Some have turned out good.

What is your most memorable moment at Mt. Pleasant?

The catch I made against Yough that made ESPN and being compared to Randy Moss. The was also the time that Coach (Jason Fazekas) got locked in the fieldhouse and the first department had to come and get him out. And there was me being able to play both football and soccer in the fall. I was a kicker in my freshman and sophomore year, then I was a wide receiver my junior year and then moving to running back this season. I enjoyed that a lot.

What was exciting about the soccer season?

When I got to play, and we defeated Charleroi ending its long winning streak.

People would be surprised that I _______?

I lift a lot, and I am an architectural designer.

Have you ever tried yoga?

No, but maybe I should.

Where do you and your teammates go for a snack after a meet or practice? What do you get?

Sheetz and I get a steak and rice quesarito. It is like a burrito.

Your favorite meal my mom or dad make is?

Pepperoni rolls.

My favorite vacation spot is?

Any place that has a beach. I’ve been to Myrtle Beach and Florida. I also liked Busch Gardens.

What type of music do you listen to?

When I am in my call, l like to listen to K-Love and worship music. But I will listen to whatever my friends are playing.

What is the last movie you watched?

Greenland.

What type of movies do you like?

Action and comedies. My favorite movie is “Never Back Down.”

Who is your favorite athlete?

I really don’t have one.

Do you have a favorite sports team?

The Steelers.

If you could have lunch or dinner with someone famous or someone special, who would it be, and what would you talk about?

My great grandfather (Herbert Havens). He was an interesting man. He was a pilot, a farmer and a great all-around person. He was a wise man, and now that I am older I would have liked good back and spent more time talking to him. He was a good role model.

Tags: Derry Area