MATT QUIGLEY

SCHOOL: Fox Chapel.

WHO IS HE? A 5-foot-10, 175-pound sophomore and one of the top hockey players in Western Pennsylvania.

LAST WEEK: Quigley scored three goals in Fox Chapel's 3-1 victory against Shaler in the first round of the PIHL Class AAA playoffs.

SEASON: Quigley is Fox Chapel's leading goal-scorer with 26 and has helped the Foxes to the best season in school history.

THE OTHER TEAM: Quigley also plays for the Pittsburgh Hornets traveling team. Playing for the Hornets caused him to miss some Fox Chapel games. Quigley did not play in the only two games Fox Chapel (21-2-2) lost this season.

SPEED KILLS: "His speed and his skills are just unbelievable," said Fox Chapel coach Keith Kearney. "He's probably one of the fastest kids in the league. His first two steps are unbelievable."

AMONG THE ELITE: Quigley's talents have earned him a national reputation. He spent the past few days in Ann Arbor, Mich., trying out for the U.S. under-17 national team. Only 40 players around the country were invited to try out. He will find out in two weeks if he made the team. If he does, he will have to live in Michigan next year and will play in the NAHL Junior A League.

"It's a little scary moving away from home, but I think I'm ready to go," Quigley said.

THE OTHER THINGS: Quigley also plays on Fox Chapel's lacrosse team and has a 4.0 grade point average.

-- By Mike White

MALLORY DIETRICH

SCHOOL:Oakland Catholic.

WHO IS SHE? A sophomore swimmer who has won eight WPIAL and eight PIAA gold medals.

THE PAST WEEK: Dietrich won the 200-yard individual medley (2:04.96) and the 100 butterfly (56.71) at the PIAA Class AA championships. She also swam the final leg of the Eagles' winning 200 (1:39.20) and 400 (3:35.33) freestyle relay teams.

CAREER: At the WPIAL meet three weeks earlier, Dietrich finished first in the same four events. Last year, she won WPIAL and PIAA titles in the 200 individual medley, 100 breaststroke, 200 and 400 freestyle relays.

STROKES OF GENIUS: Being a butterfly-breaststroke champion requires great upper-body strength. It also is rare, according to Dietrich. "The fly is my best stroke," she said. "Usually, if you're a butterflier, you're not that good at the breaststroke. But those are my two best."

That dexterity enabled her to make a successful shift from the 100 breaststroke to 100 butterfly this season. It also allowed coach Alisa Scioscia to enter Dietrich in the event where she was needed more -- breaststroke as a freshman, butterfly as a sophomore.

"Mallory is selfless," Scioscia said. "It's always, 'What's best for the team.' She has incredible drive."

-- By Rick Shrum