High Schools |  Galleries |  Recruiting |  Baseball |  Baseball Stats |  Basketball |  Basketball Stats |  Softball |  Softball Stats |  Football |  Football Stats |  Golf |  Hockey |  Soccer |  Swimming |  Tennis |  Track |  Volleyball |  Wrestling |  Other

By Andrew John

Published: Tuesday, January 1, 2013, 10:36 p.m.
Updated: Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Luke Pletcher

School: Latrobe

Year: Freshman

Sport: Wrestling

Claim to fame: Unseeded Pletcher (12-2) won the Powerade tournament in the 106-pound weight class with a 7-1 decision in the final against top-seeded Devan Brown of Saegertown on Dec. 29.

He finished fifth at the King of the Mountain in the 113-pound weight class with a 5-1 decision over Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy's Ryan Bennett on Dec. 15.

Do you like to wrestle at 106 or 113 pounds?

I like to wrestle at 106. I definitely think I need to stay at that weight since I don't have a big body. 113 is not the right weight for me.

How did you feel about beating the top seed at Powerade?

It was nice I guess. I put my name out there a little more. There was no pressure. I went out there doing what I have trained for.

How did you get into wrestling?

When I was little, I played any sport that was in season. After awhile, I stuck with wrestling since that is what I'm good at.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

I would probably have to say going to Rio for the Olympics in 2016.

Erin DiFalco

School: Franklin Regional

Year: Senior

Sport: Basketball

Claim to fame: DiFalco, who finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds, hit a 3-pointer with 15 seconds left in double overtime to lead Franklin Regional (5-3) to a 53-50 win over Thomas Jefferson at the Laurel Highlands Tournament on Dec. 28.

DiFalco — who's averaging 8.2 points, including 18 4-pointers in eight games — had 18 points. with six 3-pointers, in a 76-46 win over North Hills in the Franklin Regional Tournament on Dec. 8.

“I think we have started off playing pretty well this season,” DiFalco said. “We had a couple rough patches along the way. But we got back to playing as a team, and we are playing well together.”

What are your college plans?

I haven't decided on where I will go next year. I'm deciding between two schools, and I hope to play (basketball) in college. I'm deciding between Thiel and Penn State Altoona. I want to major in engineering because I really like math and science, and I feel it's a really good fit for me.

Is there any particular team or player you look forward to facing every year?

We look forward to playing Plum each year. It's a huge rivalry, and it's usually an exciting game.

What do you think is the strongest part of your game?

I think my 3-point shot. They are my favorite shots to take. I like to see how far away I can get when I take a 3.

If you had the chance to meet anyone, who would it be?

(Warriors guard Stephen) Curry. He has an amazing shot, and I always watched him at Davidson. I thought he was an amazing player.

1. Pirates notebook: Cutter a boon for Melancon
2. Pitt awaits NCAA Tournament fate after loss to Notre Dame in Big East baseball
3. Kovacevic: Matt Cooke 1, Ottawa Senators 0
4. Catholic priest scandal induces monsignor to resign post
5. Alaska sex affairs draw Army scrutiny
6. Pipeline project creates unease in Westmoreland County
7. Rankin teen charged in 16-year-old girl’s shooting death
8. Saturday morning low temp tied record set in 1925
9. Letang dazzles with dynamic play in Game 5 win
10. Pause to remember, celebrate veterans with cookout favorites
11. Steelers hope new blocking scheme kick-starts running game

There are currently no comments for this story.
Subscribe today! Click here for our subscription offers.