Cougars select Bach, Graft
Hannah Bach is Yough's fall female selection in the Centennial Chevrolet Scholar/Athlete Spotlight program.
Levi Graft is Yough's fall male selection in the Centennial Chevrolet Scholar/Athlete Spotlight program.
Yough athletic director Tom Evans was facing a tough decision to pick his school’s fall nominations for the Centennial Chevrolet Scholar-Athlete Spotlight program, but he chose two stellar candidates in Hannah Bach and Levi Graft.
Bach currently has a 4.0 GPA and will study engineering at Pitt on a softball scholarship while Graft has a 3.75, will study physical therapy or exercise science although he is undecided where and will consider playing football or being a part of a track team.
Both selections spoke about the honor of being chosen to represent their school.
“I am grateful that he picked me,” said Bach, who is the daughter of Ken and Joni Bach of Smithton. “It shows that the hard work pays off.”
“It feels pretty good that Mr. Evans recognized all of the hard work that I have put in with my academics and sport,” said Graft, who is the son of Donna Heltebran of Yukon. “It really means a lot.”
The duo shared much different examples of their most memorable sports moments.
“Winning the PIAA Class AAA softball state championship in 2016,” Bach said without hesitating with a smile.
Graft, on the other hand, went back to his freshman season when he made his first varsity start.
“I was so nervous that I felt sick and didn’t play well,” he said. “After it set in that I was starting, I played like I usually play.”
Bach chose track and field legend Usain Bolt as the athlete that she admires the most while Graft chose J. J. Watt.
“Everyone knows who he is and his story is amazing,” said Bach. “He overcame a lot to get to where he is.”
“I chose Watt because of the work he does off of the field,” he said. “Plus his work ethic is amazing.”
As far the greatest influences on the respective careers, Bach chose her parents while Graft picked former defensive coordinator Sean Benjamin.
“My parents have provided me with everything to be successful,” Bach said. “They have pushed me.”
“He helped me become the player I am today,” Graft said. “I think it would be cool to coach in the future, and how he coached me is a big reason why.”
For their achievements in their respective sports and more so in the classroom, they are Yough’s fall nominations for the Centennial Chevrolet Scholar-Athlete program.