Pioneers select Mooney, Pettit
Lexie Mooney is West Greene's fall sports female selection in the Centennial Chevrolet Scholar/Athlete Spotlight program.
Zach Pettit is West Greene's fall sports male selection in the Centennial Chevrolet Scholar/Athlete Spotlight program.
Lexie Mooney has been part of a sports resurgence at West Greene and Zach Pettit is doing his part to keep that trend going.
The two seniors have been chosen as their school’s fall sports representatives in the Centennial Chevrolet Scholar/Athlete Spotlight program.
It wasn’t that long ago when the Pioneers were struggling in most sports, but that has changed in the past few years. Both basketball teams reached the playoffs last season and the softball team surged to a PIAA title.
Mooney, who is currently trying to help the Lady Pioneers volleyball team reach the postseason after just missing out in 2016, was the first baseman on the softball championship squad.
In fact, the final out of the thrilling championship game came when Mooney secured the throw from third baseman Madison Lampe.
“Winning the PIAA title was a feeling I, nor my team, will never forget,” said Mooney, who has a 3.885 GPA. “Being down 7-0 in the second inning was a situation we usually weren’t put in, but we got each other picked up and played the game we knew how to.”
West Greene fought back to take a 9-8 lead as Williams Valley, the team that had defeated them in walk-off fashion in the 2016 final, came to bat in the seventh inning.
“It was really intense. When it was time for out three and I saw the ball was hit to Madison, I had so many feelings running through my system,” Mooney said. “After she fielded the ball, I knew it was up to me to catch it. When I did catch it I popped right off first base to celebrate.
“I wouldn’t want to be playing softball with any other team.”
Pettit is doing his part to create a magical season for the Pioneers on the football field. West Greene is 3-0 overall and 2-0 in conference play thanks in large part to their versatile quarterback who is a threat running, throwing and even receiving.
Pettit, the son of Mark and Christina Pettit of Holbrook, wants his team to hold up its end of the bargain in the resurgence of West Greene sports.
“Absolutely, we want to be a part of that, too,” Pettit said. “We know we have to push our program forward. Everybody looks up to football games Friday night and we want to be part of that winning tradition we’re building and make the playoffs.”
Pettit has evolved into one of the most dangerous offensive threats in the area and is currently third in the Herald-Standard Touchdown Club standings with 53 points, just three behind frontrunner Dylan Rush of Mapletown. West Greene defeated the Maples last week, 42-12.
Pettit has noticed the increasing success of West Greene sports in general.
“When I was a freshman it wasn’t like this,” Pettit said. “Now I think the sports do sort of feed off each other. You see the softball team do so well, you want to do the same thing.
“When you’re doing well, as our football team is now, everybody wants to be part of the success and make sure they do their part, and the community gives us great support. The football games now, week in and week out, the fans have been there for us and that helps.”
Both student-athletes credit people with helping them along the way.
For Mooney, one special person was her “pap,” the late Denny Rutan, her grandfather.
“When I was eight, my pap got me started into softball,” said Mooney. “He then became my softball coach and coached me up until my seventh grade year. His key word to winning games was always ‘believe’ and that’s the quote I live by.
“My seventh grade year, before volleyball season, my pap got diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He got to watch me play one volleyball game before he quickly became very ill. He later passed away the following March. He was a huge influence on me in playing sports.”
Part of Pettit’s success this season has been due to defenses focusing on stopping Ben Jackson, who rushed for over 1,000 yards as a freshman last year. The two are cousins and Jackson’s dad, Brian Jackson, who is a member of the football coaching staff, draws praise from Pettit.
“He has always pushed me to be the best I can be and has been so inspirational to me,” Pettit said. “He’s always trying to find a way to push me to get better.”
Pettit also credits former Pioneers defensive coach Jed Hamberger for helping him.
“He’s just always been there for me to talk to and support me,” Pettit said. “He has my back no matter what happens.”
Pettit hasn’t made a decision on college yet but said he likes California University of Pa. and that history is his favorite subject. From a big family, Pettit is one of six siblings, including two adoptive brothers, Dakota Dulaney, 17, who is also a member of the football team, and Justin Pettit, 11, along with brother Austin Pettit, 9, and two sisters, Kaylee King, 22, and Hannah Pettit, 17.
Mooney, the daughter of Heath and Denise Mooney of Sycamore, has a younger brother, Brayden, who is a freshman at West Greene.
“They are definitely a huge support to me and push me to be the best I can be in everything I do,” she said of her parents.
Mooney is interested in being a nurse anesthetist and plans to attend West Virginia University.
“I like to help people,” she said, “and the medical field allows me to do so.”