Cougars select Mlinek, Olexa
Rebecca Mlinek is one of Yough's winter sports selections in the Centennial Chevrolet Scholar/Athlete Spotlight program.
Montana Olexa is one of Yough's winter sports selections in the Centennial Chevrolet Scholar/Athlete Spotlight program.
When Yough Athletic Director Tom Evans sat down to look over names for the Centennial Chevrolet Scholar-Athlete award, he saw plenty of stellar candidates.
He took his time in narrowing down the list, and he chose two deserving and hard-working candidates as Yough’s nominations for the winter sports season in Rebecca Mlinek and Montana Olexa.
Mlinek has a 3.9 GPA and is the daughter of Ron and Kristy Mlinek while Olexa has a 4.0 GPA and is the daughter of Ronald Olexa and Diana Aaron.
Both were quick to point out their appreciation for Evans selecting them for the honor.
“I’m very honored that Mr. Evans would pick me,” said Mlinek who is on the girls basketball team, ran cross country and was a majorette. “I am really glad that he recognized all of my hard work.”
“I am honored that Mr. Evans picked me because not a lot of people get recognized,” said Olexa, who is the school’s first-ever gymnast. “Athletics and academics are basically my entire life so I was excited when it finally started to show.”
Mlinek is headed to West Virginia University to major in Forensic Investigative Sciences while Olexa is headed to Gannon to study Pre-Med and has already been accepted into the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine which is affiliated with over 100 schools.
Olexa chose Gannon as she is on a partial scholarship for Acrobats and Tumbling and received the highest merit scholarship that Gannon gives for academics.
When asked about their most memorable sports moment, neither hesitated.
“Being the first gymnast to ever compete for Yough is a really cool experience,” Olexa said. “I was really nervous because I thought it was different from club gymnastics but all in all I am extremely glad that I started it!”
Mlinek talked about hitting four three-pointers in a game during her sophomore season.
“We played at Southmoreland and I felt in the zone,” she said while smiling. “Ironically, it happened again recently where I was in the zone and I was in it for three straight days!”
When asked about their respective favorite professional athletes, Mlinek chose former Pirate and current San Francisco Giant Andrew McCutchen while Olexa chose Olympic gold-medal-winning gymnast Simone Biles.
“Cutch is such a positive role model who gives back to his community,” Mlinek said. “I am really sad to see him traded.”
Olexa, who has an academic full-ride scholarship competition on Feb. 3 where she could be awarded a full ride if she finishes in the top 10, spoke about Biles.
“Simone’s background in foster care created her motivation to become an Olympic gold medalist,” she said. “She inspires me to become not only a better athlete, but an overall better person.”
Olexa said her gymnastics coach Charity Ruhl has been the greatest influence on her as an athlete.
“Charity has been in my life since I was eight years old,” she said. “She got me involved in more than gymnastics, she inspired me to become a doctor and to also do Acrobats and Tumbling at Gannon.”
Mlinek chose her parents and grandparents as the people who have been the greatest influence on her as an athlete.
“My parents come to every one of my games and activities and I don’t know where I would be without them because they are always there for me,” she said. “And my grandparents also come to every single one of my activities and always encourage me.”