Trib HSSN athletes of the week: Peters Township’s Colton Abate, West Greene’s Madison Renner

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, May 30, 2018 | 3:54 PM

Previous Next

Previous Next

Colton Abate

School: Peters Township

Sport: Lacrosse

Class: Senior

Claim to fame: Abate has been one of the keys to another golden season for Peters Township in boys lacrosse. He scored a pair of goals last week in a 17-4 semifinals victory over rival Mt. Lebanon, then two days later registered three goals in the Indians' 9-7 championship match triumph over North Allegheny. Peters Township became only the second team and the first in the highest classification to repeat as WPIAL champion after winning gold in 2017. The Indians fell in the first round of the PIAA playoffs Tuesday. In fact, only three out of 10 district teams won to move on to the state quarterfinals. Pine-Richland boys, Mars boys and Quaker Valley girls are trying to make history and become the first WPIAL lacrosse team to reach the PIAA finals and play for a state title.

No other team in Division I or Class AAA has ever won back-to-back WPIAL boys lacrosse championships. How does it feel to be the first?

It feels absolutely incredible. To go from being a team that's never won a WPIAL championship to winning back-to-back championships is a true honor, and I wouldn't have wanted to do it with any other team.

Scoring a hat trick in the district finals is a memory few experience. How did that feel and were you aware you had a hat trick?

It felt great but in the moment I wasn't worried about personal goals. I wanted to get the job done and win the game. Whether that meant scoring goals, getting assists or just picking up big ground balls. I was aware I had a hat trick, but it wasn't on my mind during the game. The only thing that mattered was that “next play” as Coach Kaplan always says.

When you and your teammates beat Mt. Lebanon in the semifinals, what was the reaction when you heard top-seed Pine-Richland was upset by North Allegheny in the other semifinal match?

We knew what North Allegheny was capable of as a championship-caliber team and that we couldn't get over confident that Pine had lost. We went into the game with a positive mindset knowing what we had to do to win.

Why is it that no WPIAL boys or girls lacrosse team has even reached a PIAA title match yet alone win a state championship?

I believe it's because of some of the talent on the other side of PA. They are very offensively talented, but I believe this year is different.

How old were you when you started playing lacrosse, and did you play any other sports as a youth?

I started my first year of lacrosse in eighth grade and played hockey too.

What are three must-see movies for you this summer?

“Deadpool,” “Solo: a Star Wars Story,” “Incredibles 2” because “Star Wars” and “Incredibles” were both movies I watched as a child and like to this day. “Deadpool” is just cool.

What three famous people would you like to reserve a table for four with, and where would this dinner take place?

Three famous people I would take to dinner would be James Harden, Betty White and Nicole Anniston. We would go to Hawaii and dine on the beach.

Madison Renner

School: West Greene

Sport: Softball

Class: Senior

Claim to fame: In her freshman year in 2015, Renner helped West Greene make the playoffs for the first time in three years as they lost to Greensburg Central Catholic in the first round and finished 10-8. Now the Pioneers are one win away from a third straight WPIAL championship and hope to make it to Penn State to defend their state title and play in the PIAA final for a third straight year. Last week in 14-0 quarterfinal win over St. Joseph and an 8-2 semifinal victory over Union, Renner, who is hitting .552 with six home runs and 35 RBIs, was 4 for 7 with two runs scored, five RBIs with a triple and a home run. For the second straight year, West Greene will battle Monessen in the Class A softball final Thursday.

Does playing for a WPIAL softball championship ever get old?

Absolutely not! It is not every day that you get to play on a team that represents the WPIAL in a championship game. Our school and community support is incredibly overwhelming. They make every game fun. Our softball team was the first girls' team from West Greene to ever win a WPIAL championship. Sharing that with these coaches and these teammates was a wonderful experience. The first one was a special experience, and the third trip feels just as special.

Only six WPIAL schools have won three straight softball championships. How special would it be to add West Greene to that historic list?

I have been very fortunate to play with very talented girls. We have made a lot of history at West Greene, and it would be amazing to add something else to that list. It makes me feel grateful to have these teammates and these coaches. Obviously, our coaches know what they are doing for us to be there for the third time.

How tough has the rivalry between the Pioneers and Monessen become in softball these last two years? How tough is it to go up against pitcher Dana Vatakis?

There have been years in the past that West Greene and Monessen were not rivals of anyone. Both programs have had their years of not making the playoffs. The idea that they have both made it to the championships the last two years says a lot about the programs and the hard work that has been put into it. Going up against Dana Vatakis is never easy. She is a competitor. I first met Dana when we played 10U travel ball. We were on different teams, but I have always had a lot of respect for her. I used to pitch and I know how difficult it is. You do not get that good by sitting around and wishing to be good. She works hard and she keeps her team in every game. I am happy for her and the success she has experienced. Make no mistake, I want to win, but I respect her and what she has accomplished in this sport. I will definitely be cheering her on next year at Robert Morris.

As a senior, how emotional will this be for you when it ends either with another state title or a tough loss in the PIAA playoffs?

The toughest will be a loss in the PIAA playoffs. That last game will definitely be emotional. Another title will just check another goal off my list. Without a doubt, my goal for myself and this team was to win West Greene's first state championship. We have succeeded in doing that, but we aren't ready to be done. This sport has been incredibly important to me. It has been a part of my life since I was 5. I have spent countless hours pitching to my dad and hitting with him. The long car rides all over the country have created bonds with my parents that have impacted who I am today. I think softball will be a part of my life in some way for many years. But walking off that field for the last time with my sister and best friends will be a very difficult day for me.

Your younger sister Jade has had a strong season in the circle for West Greene.

Wow … I could go on and on about Jade and how proud I am of her. I know that I am the older sister, but I truly look up to Jade. She has the perfect mindset for pitching. She does really well with not letting outside things get in her head when she is on the rubber. It feels like it was just yesterday that she would stand and watch me pitch with my dad. She would beg my dad, “Can I do that? Can I pitch?” She used to always ask if I thought she would be as good as me. Funny thing is, I still wonder if I will ever be as good as her. I love being able to play this game with my sister. Winning our school's first PIAA championship together is something I will cherish forever.

How proud are you of her and what are her strengths?

Being on that field with her is what I will miss the most when I graduate. I can't talk about how proud I am of her without mentioning how incredibly smart she is. Jade doesn't just excel on the softball field, she is even better in the classroom. She takes so much pride in everything she does. I was intentionally walked in a game this year. The walk loaded the bases. Jade was batting behind me. She hit her first career grand slam. As much as I love hitting and as much as I hate intentional walks, I was thrilled for Jade. I will never forget the look on her face as she approached home. I am Jade's biggest fan, and I know that she is mine as well. I feel completely blessed to not only have her as my sister, but also as my best friend.

If somebody said you could go anywhere for your dream summer vacation, what are your top three choices?

Alaska, I love that it is so remote and that there are so many outdoor things to do there. I love to hunt, fish, kayak, anything with nature. Hawaii, who doesn't want to go to Hawaii? Everything about it just seems so pretty and relaxing. Ireland, my ancestors are from Ireland. I think it would be fun to go and experience the culture. It looks absolutely gorgeous.

What kind of music motivates you, and what are your three favorite bands or artists?

Classic rock motivates me. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Theory of a Dead Man and The Doors.

Don Rebel is a TribLive High School Sports Network broadcaster and staff writer. Reach him at drebel@tribweb.com.

Tags: Peters Township