Kiski Area’s Eliza Miller, Hempfield’s Peyton Murray win scholar-athlete Excellence Award

By: Paul Schofield
Tuesday, April 30, 2024 | 9:48 PM

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Previous Next

Kiski Area’s Eliza Miller and Hempfield Area’s Peyton Murray have set numerous records during their high school careers.

Now they can add being the best student-athletes in Westmoreland County.

Two of the top athletes in track and field won the Excellence Award on Tuesday at the 68th annual Westmoreland County Scholar-Athlete banquet at Ferrante’s Lakeview.

The annual event is hosted by Judge Michael Stewart and sponsored by Ferrante’s Lakeview, Drs. Geoff and Greg Bisignani and Independence Health System.

Miller and Murray, who were seated next to each other, were surprised their names were announced.

“I was so honored to be nominated, and I appreciate it,” said Miller, also an outstanding runner and swimmer. “It should help me in college. I couldn’t ask for something better.”

Miller will attend Duquesne. She has a GPA of 4.0 and ranked 54 of 253 in her class.

“I think the committee saw my dedication to the sport, and I really worked hard on my academics throughout the years. I really put so much time in. I just dedicated my life to the sport and my education.”

Murray, a two-time WPIAL champion and returning PIAA Class 3A discus champion, looks to add more to his resume next month.

“I really would like to break the school record in the discus and shot put,” Murray said. “Winning this award means a lot. I’m happy to be part of a great lineup of winners.

“The biggest reason I won was because of my state title, but I’m also proud of my academics success and being able to get into Notre Dame.”

Murray had a 3.92 GPA and ranks 80th of 392 in his class.

The other finalists were Belle Vernon’s Adam LaCarte, Burrell’s Cooper Hornack, Franklin Regional’s Holden Thomas, Latrobe’s Elle Snyder, Greensburg Central Catholic’s Izzy Aigner, Hempfield’s Sarah Podkul, Norwin’s Luke Denny, Penn-Trafford’s Patton Graziano and Mackenzie Keenan and Yough’s Zander Aird.

There were 38 student-athletes, two each from the 19 high schools in the county, nominated for the award

The Michael and John Ferrante Memorial Award for his work promoting sports and student-athletes went to Tom Evans, who retired as a teacher and athletic director from the Yough School District in 2020.

But he really hasn’t stepped away completely. Evans has been an event coordinator at Hempfield Area and remains on the WPIAL board, recently being junior high representative.

Evans taught middle school civics for 36 years.

Evans, a Donora native, graduated from Ringgold High School and Cal (Pa.).

The guest speaker was KDKA-TV’s Josh Taylor. He talked about taking advantage of opportunities and high school memories. Taylor graduated from Schenley High School and Duquesne.

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.