Thistletalk Autumn 2008 - Winchester Thurston School

WT Runner Makes StateChampionshipschoolnewswt todayFor only the second time inWinchester Thurston history arunner qualified for the PennsylvaniaInterscholastic Athletic Association(PIAA) State Championship.the team generally training in and aroundnearby Schenley Park. When asked what helikes best about the sport, Adam points toseveral factors.“It’s hard to enjoy the actual running,but I do nevertheless find some enjoymentin doing cross country. It is fun to bewith friends and my coach, because weSophomore Adam Eller, who qualifiedfor states by finishing 31st in theClass AA boys’ bracket, competed in thechampionship in Hershey, Pennsylvania,on November 1, 2008, finishing in 188thplace out of a field of nearly 300.“It was a very exciting experienceto be part of the state meet,” saysAdam. “I had never seen so manypeople running at one time. It was agreat learning experience for the future,because it is obviously very difficult torun for the first time as a sophomore ina state race.”Adam started running in sixthgrade for Winchester Thurston, withreally have a blast. I also enjoy the feelingpersonal achievement every time I reachmy goals. Running is also a good way toclear my head of stress and take my mindoff of school.”An avid athlete, Adam is also amember of the WT Boys’ Basketball team.Golfer Makes StateChampionship“I started playing golf with my dad whenI was six. Back then it was just fun toride in the cart and spend time withhim,” says WT junior Miranda Santucci.What started as a fun way to spend timewith her father has turned into a highlysuccessful athletic journey.While Miranda has represented WTat the WPIALs (Western PennsylvaniaInterscholastic Athletic League) for threeyears in a row, she is the first golfer inschool history to earn a spot in the statechampionship.In early October, Miranda tookseventh place in the WPIAL GirlsIndividual Championship. The top 12players, including Miranda, advanced tothe PIAA Western Regional match, heldon October 15, 2008. Having come insixth place with a score of 80, she qualifiedfor states and advanced to the PIAAChampionship, held on October 21 and 22in York, Pennsylvania, where she finished18th in the state, shooting a two-roundtotal of 165.Miranda began playing competitivegolf at the age of 13 and has improvedwith every passing year. She currentlyplays in the tri-state PGA tournaments; inthe Western Pennsylvania Women’s GolfAssociation Junior events and in interclubmatches on her country club’s team.When asked what she thinks aboutwhile playing, she says, “There are dozensof things to consider and analyze beforeeach and every shot, like course conditions,ball lie, wind direction and speed,etc., but once I visualize my options, andthen commit to the type of shot I wantto hit, I select a club and execute with aclear mind.”24 T h i s t l e t a l k A u t u m n / W i n t e r 2 0 0 8