May 7, 2014 1 min read

High School

Local athletes honored

Two area students were honored at the third annual Western Pennsylvania Positive High School Athlete Awards on Saturday at the Senator John Heinz History Center.

Laurel Highlands’ Kelsey Soom (girls golf) and Southmoreland’s Jacob Beistel (wrestling) were among 26 boys and girls honored by current and former professional athletes, including Hines Ward, Roberto Clemente Jr. and Olympic women’s hockey goalie Brianne McLaughlin.

The two were picked from 1,000 nominations submitted by 125 Western Pa. high schools.

In addition to excellence on the field, the Positive Athlete selections were required to “show characteristics such as an optimistic attitude, teammate encouragement, servant leadership, heart for others, ability to admit imperfections, giving 100 percent all the time, and realizing the team as more important that the individual.”