Geibel Catholic selects Kolencik, McIntyre
Clancy McIntyre is Geibel Catholic's fall sports male selection in the Centennial Chevrolet Scholar/Athlete Spotlight program.
Monica Kolencik is Geibel Catholic's fall sports female selection in the Centennial Chevrolet Scholar/Athlete Spotlight program.
Monica Kolencik and Clancy McIntyre both played soccer and ran cross country for Geibel Catholic during the fall, yet managed to maintain a high level in their academics.
For their diligence on the field, course and classroom, Kolencik and McIntyre have been chosen as Geibel Catholic’s fall representatives for the Centennial Chevrolet Scholar-Athlete program.
Kolencik, the daughter of Tom and Dana Kolencik of Uniontown, has an older sister, Gabby, and younger sisters Gianna and Sabrina and a younger brother, Tommy.
Kolencik capped her fall season by earning her first berth into the PIAA Class A Cross Country Championship. The senior finished 22nd overall at the WPIAL Championships in 21:27, quite an improvement on her 94th overall finish in 25:14 last year.
“I wanted to stay conditioned for soccer,” said Kolencik. “Running can be addictive. It’s a good way to relax.”
Playing both soccer and cross country in the fall, coupled with all the schoolwork, is demanding, but Kolencik said her teammates made the scheduling easier to manage.
“There was a really good group of kids in cross country and soccer. We study together,” said Kolencik.
Her academics and athletics played off one another.
“It helps me to be more motivated. You had to study and get your work done in a certain amount of time,” explained Kolencik. “You always try to do your hardest, especially on days you’re tired, in both school and sports.”
Although Kolencik has yet to decide on a college, she has selected her course of study.
“I want to go into nursing or nurse practitioner, in pediatrics,” said Kolencik. “I’d like to work at a children’s hospital. That would be most ideal. I like kids. I feel like a get along good (with children). I’ve always been around younger children.”
McIntyre, son of Beth Raffle and Dave McIntyre of Hopwood, has one older brother, Bailey.
He was one of the Gators’ top scorers during his four-year soccer career. McIntyre ran in only one meet as a senior, the WPIAL Class A Championship, but he was the Gators’ first one across the finish line. He placed 69th overall with a time of 19:27.
“My parents wanted to immerse me into as many sports as possible when I was young,” said McIntyre.
Although the Gators had a tough soccer season, McIntyre mentioned a highlight when he was a freshman.
“I played with my brother when I was a freshman. We made it to the WPIAL semifinals,” said McIntyre.
He expects to stay involved in soccer after his graduation.
“Maybe on the university club team. I want to keep playing. I’ve made more friends the past couple years,” said McIntyre. “Coaching sounds like fun.
“(Soccer) is more than just a game.”
As for his participation in cross country, McIntyre added, “We needed runners for the WPIAL final.”
McIntyre’s expected future course of study is in the medical field, likely at Duquesne or Carnegie Mellon.
“I couldn’t see myself getting bored with it any time soon,” McIntyre said of the medical field.
McIntyre said he wasn’t one to get things done quickly, so being busy helped him keep on top of his studies and athletics.
“I’m more of a procrastinator. I need to budget my time,” explained McIntyre. “You have to stick with your commitments and do your best, not be half-hearted in one thing.”