Jun 5, 2015 3 min read

Brooks Wilding from Upper St. Clair and Joshua Rosato were recognized as Western Pennsylvania Interscholatic Athletic League Scholar-Athletes for the 2014-15 sports season.

Twenty athletes, 10 male and 10 female, were selected from among 153 seniors nominated by member school principals. After an extensive review of each applicant, the WPIAL Scholarship Committee selected this year’s winners. Each athlete received a $1,000 scholarship to be used for college and a commemorative plaque.

The WPIAL Scholars-Athlete program recognizes seniors who have been outstanding in the areas of athletic achievement and academic excellence, as well as school and community service.

“The WPIAL salutes these scholar athletes,” said Tim O’Malley, executive director of the league. “They represent the highest possible fulfillment of the WPIAL mission to recognize interscholastic athletics as an integral part of the educational process.”

A WPIAL and PIAA qualifier in wrestling, Wilding is a member of the Century Club with more than 100 career victories. At 170 pounds, he posted a 33-10 record this past season. He finished fourth in the district, second in the section and fourth in the county. He also capped his career with an invitation to participate in the Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic. Wilding also played on the Panthers’ WPIAL and PIAA championship golf teams.

“Brooks embodies hard work, determination and grit,” said USC coach Sean O’Rourke.

In the classroom, Wilding was determined, too. An honors student, he belonged to the Calcu-Solver team, the Spanish Club and Literary magazine. Wilding plans to study aerospace engineering at Virginia Tech or Georgia Tech.

Meanwhile, Rosato plans to attend a four-year university and major in architecture.

Athletically, he served as captain of his soccer, tennis and swimming teams. Academically, he captained the Engineering, Research and Development team. He participated in National Honor Society, Math Honor Society and Robotics team. In addition, Rosato was a member and vice-president of the school band and show band. During his free time, he volunteers for the Scott Township recreation program and for his church festival.

The other male WPIAL scholar-athlete winners were: Zach Altieri from Jeannette, Jacob Gerard from Ringgold, Sean Orsini from West Allegheny, Tanner Quiggle from Seneca Valley, John Requerio from Quaker Valley, Jacob Roberge from Franklin Regional, Andrew Romanchak from Freeport and Indiana’s Cole Rosenberger.

The female winners included: Maria Fleck from Mohawk, Madeline Holmberg from Hempfield, Victoria Kocsuta from Montour, Kirsten McMichale from Ringgold, Yough’s Theresa Merlino, Shaler’s Brianna Schwartz, Isabel Siergiej from Penn-Trafford, Freeport’s Grace Ward, Courtney Vannoy from Blackhawk and Caroline Westwood from Quaker Valley.