ANTHONY DIFALCO
Franklin Regional
The past week: DiFalco scored two goals in the Panthers’ 6-0 win against Gateway in soccer on Saturday, giving him 13 goals on the year. He then made the trip to Shaler after the game to join his teammates for the second half of Franklin Regional’s football game, kicking an extra point in the Panthers’ 28-17 loss to the Titans.
Check this out: A sophomore striker, DiFalco led Franklin Regional with 18 goals last season and scored the only goal in the Panthers’ 1-0 win against West Allegheny in the WPIAL championship game. He also made four field goals for Franklin Regional’s football team, following in the footsteps of his brother, Dom, who was the Panthers’ kicker from 2014-17.
What’s the key to staying composed and managing your nerves when you know you’re going to have to come into the game to kick a crucial field goal? I just relax. I just take a deep breath and then just kick. I don’t really get bothered by anything when I’m out there. I just sit there and enjoy the game and then relax.
Have you ever been called upon to come into a game late in the fourth quarter to attempt a game-winning field goal? Yeah, last year it happened once [against Latrobe]. Your heart starts racing a little bit more, but I think I slowed down and took some deep breaths during the kick and I made it.
Was that celebration after the game one of the best moments of your career so far? Yeah, it was. I guess they finally noticed who the kicker was. You always get made fun of for being the kicker, so it was nice to get some appreciation in the locker room.
What would someone find you doing when you’re not playing soccer or kicking field goals? Usually sleeping or probably playing video games or something.
So you’re a guy who understands the importance of a good night’s sleep? Yeah, I usually come home from school and take a quick nap or something.
Did replacing your older brother as the team’s kicker make life easier for you as a freshman? Yeah, they always called me by my brother’s name. Some of them still do.
That doesn’t bother you at all? No, I just respond to it now as if it’s [normal]. It doesn’t bother me at all anymore.
So if we print the name “Dom DiFalco” at the top of this page as our Athlete of the Week, that wouldn’t bother you? [Laughs] Maybe that would bother me a little.
— By Steve Rotstein
LAURA GREB
Knoch
The past week: Greb won the WPIAL Class 2A singles championship with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over teammate Brooke Bauer.
Check this out: With the victory, Greb became only the second player to win three consecutive Class 2A championships. A 5-foot-7 junior, Greb has a chance next year to become the first player in WPIAL history to win four consecutive championships in any classification. Greb, who is a 4.0 student in the classroom, trains five or six days a week at the Alpha Tennis Club in Harmar Township. She has twin sisters in eighth grade (Emily and Lindsey) who plan to play on Knoch’s team next year.
Of the three championships, what was the hardest to win? Probably this year because I had to play my own teammate. It was a little more nerve-wracking this year.
You know nobody has ever won four, right? Yes. I am aware of that (laugh).
So is four for you? Well, that’s definitely my goal next year. I don’t want to put any pressure on myself right now, though. I still have the rest of this season to play.
Who got you into tennis? I guess my parents. When I was around 6 or 7, they put me in lessons just to see how I would like it. I ended up falling in love with it.
Some players don’t play high school tennis and just play in other events, like in the USTA. You ever think of that? I do play in other events during the year, but I guess I’m for the team aspect of it. My goal is to play in college. I think it’s good to have that experience of being on a team and part of a team, so you know what it’s going to be like going into college. I think a lot of college coaches like to see you part of a team.
Best movie you’ve seen lately? I don’t watch many movies.
OK, then best TV series? Grand Hotel.
You have a favorite tennis player? For men, it’s Grigor Dimitrov. For women, I’d probably say Simona Halep.
No Serena? I like her but she’s not my favorite.
Knoch’s football team is 5-0. How far can they go? I hope all the way. They’re doing really well, knock on wood.
No pun intended, right? Right (laugh).
People might be surprised to know that you ... ? Play tennis right-handed but write with my left.
Really, do you do anything else leftie? No.
How about eat? Yes, leftie.
Brush your teeth? Leftie.
So you do a number of things leftie? Not a lot.
— By Mike White
First Published: September 25, 2019, 11:00 a.m.
