SuburbanOneSports.com recognizes a male and female featured athlete each week. The awards, sponsored by Univest, are given to seniors of good character who are students in good standing that have made significant contributions to their teams. Selections are based on nominations received from coaches, athletic directors and administrators.
Univest’s SuburbanOneSports.com Featured Female Athlete (Week of May 1, 2012),
Katie Ziegler has a very simple goal each and every time she takes to the mound. Perfection…and nothing less. The Wissahickon senior achieved just that as a sophomore, hurling a perfect game against Upper Moreland. Two years later, Ziegler has established herself as the premier pitcher in the American Conference as evidenced by her first team all-league selection as both a sophomore and junior. “Katie’s a very intimidating figure on the mound – it’s like looking down the barrel of a gun,” coach John Bilella said. “Katie is so competitive and such a leader, whether she’s batting or fielding or pitching, everything she does, it has to be perfect. She’s a kid you find one in a million. Katie’s probably the most intense person I’ve ever coached. And she’s just a phenomenal athlete. She’s an all-around player. I’ve never had anyone like her, and I’ve had some good ones in the 17 years I’ve been coaching.”
A four-year starter, Ziegler, who is also the team’s top hitter, is gracious almost to a fault, constantly praising her teammates and coaches. “Having someone like Katie makes your job much easier,” Bilella said. “She’s like another coach out there. To have somebody like that on the field is an asset, and the team reflects her demeanor. They all listen to her and follow her.” Ziegler also enjoys being able to work with younger girls, teaching the finer points of the game. She helps coach a pair of youth teams and helped run a recent softball clinic sponsored by the high school team. After a three-year hiatus, Ziegler played for the Trojans’ soccer team in the fall and was named second team all-league.
Among the top students in her class, Ziegler is taking two AP classes. She is a member of Student Council and the Fans Club. This fall, Ziegler will attend Indiana University where she will pursue a degree in business.
To view Ziegler’s complete profile, please click on the following link: http://www.suburbanonesports.com/featured-athletes/female/katie-ziegler
Univest’s SuburbanOneSports.com Featured Male Athlete (Week of May 1, 2012)
Chris Boroch was penciled in to anchor a young infield at shortstop this season, but the North Penn senior fractured his thumb in the second scrimmage of the year and was sidelined for six weeks. In his first at-bat of his final season recently, Boroch laid down a bunt single, and a throwing error on the play allowed the winning run to cross the plate, giving the Knights a 4-3 win in nine innings over Pennridge. Even while he was sidelined, Boroch remained an integral part of the team. “A lot of kids if they get hurt, they won’t necessarily make a full effort to be out there everyday,” coach Kevin Manero said. “He has been there every day in full practice gear, doing whatever he can to help mentor a younger shortstop and help the team.”
Boroch’s comeback this season came on the heels of a disappointing junior season that saw Boroch lose his starting third base job when he struggled at the plate. In January of 2011, Boroch’s mother lost her battle with breast cancer, and during those difficult days, baseball was Boroch’s respite. “I could separate them from each other,” he said. “In baseball, I could go out and have some fun and be with my friends. I still was able to do that even when I wasn’t starting, but it was tough because you see things starting to compound. You think about it – my mom would have wanted me to take a good attitude towards it, and that was my biggest thing.”
Boroch will continue his baseball career at Misericordia where he will major in physical therapy. “He’s a good student, and I hear so many times what a nice kid he is,” Manero said. “He’s not a big talker, but he talks with his actions.”
To view Boroch’s complete profile, please click on the following link: http://www.suburbanonesports.com/featured-athletes/male/chris-boroch
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