Tag Archive for: 7th grade

BEHIND PAZEL’S EYES

/in /by

Lowellville, OH – YSN had the pleasure of sitting down with Josh Pazel, Lowellville’s stellar wide receiver, at Bedford Trails to discuss his journey in football and beyond. Starting his football career in third grade with flag football and transitioning to tackle football by fifth grade, Pazel has become a cornerstone of the Lowellville Rockets football team.

In the interview, Pazel explained his early inspiration came from watching YouTube videos, igniting a passion for the sport. Playing for a smaller school like Lowellville, Pazel values the close-knit community feeling, stating, “You just want to go out and show everyone all your skills.”

Known for forming one-half of a formidable receiving duo with Bruce, Pazel elaborated on the dynamic between them: “The only way you can stop either of us is through a double team. You can’t double team both of us.” Their synergy has significantly contributed to the Rockets’ strong passing game this season, bolstered by sophomore quarterback Ricky Woolwich. “I even worked with him last year, preparing for this year, and everything’s just really clicking,” Pazel remarked. Beyond football, Pazel is an all-around athlete, participating in basketball and track. While he loves basketball the most, he acknowledges the success he’s had in track. Commenting on his basketball skills, particularly his jumping abilities, Pazel humorously noted his varied success with dunks last season but affirmed, “I can get up there.”

Pazel credits his success and development to coaches like Coach Career and, of course, his parents, who have been his steadfast supporters. Drawing inspiration from NFL greats like Odell Beckham Jr. and Julio Jones, Pazel strives to emulate their explosive play styles. As for his pre-game rituals, Pazel prefers to mentally lock in, listening to music and preparing himself visually. Despite being a junior, Pazel already has clear aspirations for his future. He plans on pursuing a career in photography, an art form he finds “the coolest thing ever” for its ability to showcase creativity.

RIVERA THE ROCKET

/in /by

LOWELLVILLE, OH- Eric Hughes of YSN Live recently sat down with Lowellville Rockets’ senior volleyball sensation, Hadassah Rivera, to discuss her milestone achievement of reaching 1000 career digs and her future plans post-graduation.

Rivera, who began playing volleyball in the 7th grade, has always aspired to reach this significant milestone. “It’s definitely a big accomplishment for me,” she shared. “I’ve been trying to reach this since I was a freshman. So finally, my senior year, laying it all out on the court, it was really definitely a goal that I reached and so it was very exciting.”

Her journey has been marked by the support and camaraderie of her teammates. “I love my teammates like Ariana, Alyssa, my setters, my middles, Morgan, I love all of them,” Rivera emphasized. “It’s really because we are a big family and it’s just really nice to not only go out there in a sport that I love, but also with the people that I love.”

As her high school volleyball career draws to a close, Rivera described her final season as bittersweet. “Definitely gonna be some tears at the end of it,” she admitted, but she remains resolute in giving her all during her last year on the court.

Apart from volleyball, Rivera is also an accomplished track athlete, competing in the 800 and 400-meter events. Her demeanor reflects a deep sense of gratitude toward her coaches, especially Track Coach Eric and Volleyball Coach Josh. “Coach Eric…always pushed me to my best version of me,” she noted. “And Coach Josh…believed in me to go out and start my freshman year. He just truly was the one to shape me to who I am today.”

Rivera’s motivations extend beyond the sports realm. She attributes her resilience and drive to her relationship with Jesus. “I really wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him,” she said.

Looking ahead, Rivera has set her sights on attending ministry school after graduation. “I want to give back to the world, whether that’s working in the church or doing missions around the world,” she revealed.

Hadassah Rivera’s journey exemplifies dedication, faith, and a spirit of community—qualities that will undoubtedly shape her future endeavors, both on and off the court.

PRESENTED BY

RUSSO RUNS WILD

/in /by

BOARDMAN, OH-Welcome back to YSN, where we bring you the latest player profiles and exclusive interviews with some of the most talented athletes in the game. In today’s episode, we have a special guest joining us – Morgan Russo, a rising star in cross-country running.

Morgan sits down with our host to discuss her passion for running and what it means to be a part of a team. She shares her journey of how she fell in love with cross country in 7th grade and how it became her sport of choice. We also delve into her dedication to pushing through challenges and the motivation she finds in her teammates, even when things get tough.

Join us as we uncover the behind-the-scenes moments of Morgan’s cross-country experience, from the joys of hanging out and playing games with her team to the stressful recruiting process she’s currently navigating. She opens up about her dreams of securing scholarships and her aspirations to study psychology or education.

We also get a glimpse into Morgan’s close-knit family, including her mom’s valuable advice and her dad’s infectious goofiness. From pogo sticks at camping trips to sibling bonds, we explore the support system that keeps Morgan grounded.

So stay tuned for an inspiring conversation with Morgan Russo, where we discover the drive and determination that fuels her success on and off the cross-country track. This is an episode you won’t want to miss.

 

PRESENTED BY