Dave Pisarcik

DAVE PISARCIK

SCHOOL: Mars.

WHO IS HE? A senior with an undefeated record heading into the PIAA tournament today through Saturday in Hershey.

LAST WEEK: Pisarcik won the Southwest Regional Class AA championship at Johnstown with a 4-0 victory against Matt Lepley of North Star.

ONE OF A KIND: Mars' wrestling program is only 9 years old, and Pisarcik is trying to become the first Planet to win a PIAA wrestling title. He was the first to win a regional title. Pisarcik, who also played football at Mars, is one of only two WPIAL wrestlers in the PIAA tournament with an undefeated record. He is 45-0 and Kittanning senior Josh Serene is 33-0.

EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS: Outside of Mars, not much was expected from Pisarcik. After all, he did not come out for the team as a sophomore and missed almost all last season with a shoulder injury.

"I at least wanted to make it to the state tournament this year and I really thought I could," Pisarcik said.

WRESTLING COUSIN: Pisarcik's cousin is Pete King, another Mars wrestler who has qualified for the PIAA tournament. When Pisarcik was 6, he started wrestling because King and other cousins were trying the sport. But Pisarcik won't follow King into another activity -- modeling. King has done some modeling.

"He hasn't made any money at it yet," Pisarcik said. "If he starts making money, I'll follow him."

THE FUTURE: Pisarcik would like to wrestle in college, and said Purdue and some small colleges have been showing interest.

-- By Mike White

SCHOOL: Upper St. Clair.

WHO IS SHE? The WPIAL Class AAA girls' diving champion. She will compete in the PIAA championships Wednesday at Bucknell University.

RECENTLY: A sophomore, Lohman outscored Diana Rocco of Seneca Valley, 434.25-430.45, for the title Feb. 25 at Pine-Richland.

CAREER: Lohman is in her second season with the varsity. She finished second in the WPIAL and 21st in the PIAA last year.

"I was very confident [in the WPIAL meet] because I had placed so high last year."

BIG COMEBACK: Each competitor in the WPIAL championships attempts 11 dives, which increase in difficulty.

Lohman was in first place until her fifth dive, when she hit the board with her feet and lost points. She dropped to eighth and was second to Rocco after nine dives, then won.

SPORTING FAMILY: Lohman, who has a 3.7 grade point average, has been an athlete for much of her life. She was a cheerleader and soccer player through eighth grade. She has been diving for about four years.

-- By Rick Shrum