Observer-Reporter Athlete of the Week
Name: Liz Fleming
School: Trinity
Class: Senior
Sport: Track & field
Fleming’s week: On a cool and breezy Saturday afternoon, Fleming won two events in the Washington-Greene County Coaches Track & Field Championships at Peters Township High School.
Fleming was victorious in the discus with a throw of 113-11, which was 3-11 better than runner-up Elizabeth Hathaway of Canon-McMillan and 5-2 better than third-place Madi Germeyer of Canon-McMillan.
Fleming followed with a shot put of 36-4, six inches farther than Omyrah Davis of Washington and 1-9 better than Caroline Fyock of Peters Township.
“I don’t have a physique of a runner so that’s why I do the throws,” said Fleming. “Everything I do, I try my hardest to do the best I can.”
Fleming’s personal best in the shot put is 37-6 1/2, set this season at a meet against McGuffey. Her PR in the discus of 114-10 came in the WPIAL finals last year.
Not with the band: Fleming decided to dedicate her final season to track, so she gave up a spot in Trinity’s band, where she played the clarinet and saxophone.
“There are similarities to them,” Fleming said. “Both need dedication and a lot of practice. It’s important to know how to breath for both. You have to use your lungs the right way. Track is a little more fun because I like the physical activities. I don’t want to sit around.”
Fleming was part of a marching band that won 12 Pennsylvania Interscholastic Marching Band Association events.
Fleming also was on the Hillers’ rifle team as a junior and senior and competed in indoor track as a freshman and sophomore.
A new home: Fleming grew up in Monessen and moved to Washington for the start of seventh grade. She took karate lessons throughout elementary school and turned to track in eighth grade.
“One of my middle school gym teachers recommended it to me,” Fleming said. “I wanted to stay in the band, but I tried (track) and liked it.”
At any meet, you can pick out Fleming by the dingy white head band she wears during competition, a superstition that started years ago. She carries a gold momento for luck, too.
“The other thing I do is stay positive no matter what happens on my first throw,” she said. “A lot of athletes hit PRs after a bad first throw.”
Her skills and outlook earned her a partial scholarship to Wheeling Jesuit, where she plans to major in nursing.
“I love helping other people,” she said. “It makes feel so good. I went to the campus and it just felt right.”
Compiled by Joe Tuscano