RACHEL LENCHNER

SCHOOL: Sewickley Academy.

WHO IS SHE? A midfielder on the Panthers' lacrosse team, which advanced to the WPIAL semifinals the past two years. The Panthers will play host to Pine-Richland (11-3) in a first-round playoff game at 4:15 p.m. today.

THE PAST WEEK: A junior, Lenchner helped Sewickley Academy beat Quaker Valley, 7-6, in a pivotal Division 2 matchup last Thursday. The Panthers finished 12-0 in the division; the Quakers went 10-2.

Sewickley Academy (14-6 overall) split four games in a tournament in Erie last weekend.

CAREER: This is Lenchner's third varsity season. She was primarily a defensive player until this spring, when coach Cheryl Ann Lassen moved her up front because of her offensive skills. Lenchner has 57 goals and 14 assists.

"There's always room for improvement," Lenchner said, "but it was a pretty good accomplishment to get that number of goals."

BIG WEEKEND: Lenchner will compete in the U.S. Women's National Tournament in Bethlehem, Pa., this weekend. These are all-star teams composed of high school-age players.

FUTURE: Lassen said Lenchner is a Division I-caliber lacrosse player. Lenchner is interested in the University of Denver, Vanderbilt and Richmond, but is leaning toward Denver.

"It's so beautiful out there, and they have a good business school," she said.

-- By Rick Shrum

WESTON BANKS

SCHOOL: Hempfield.

WHO IS HE? One of the best throwers competing in the WPIAL track and field circuit.

THE PAST WEEK: Banks, a senior, won the WPIAL Class AAA discus and shot put titles this past week at Baldwin. His discus-winning throw was 181 feet; he tossed the shot 59-3. The two victories marked the second consecutive season Banks earned both titles at the WPIAL championships.

BAD TASTE: Banks will attempt to win his first state gold medals at the PIAA championships at Shippensburg tomorrow and Saturday. Last season, coming off the two WPIAL golds, he finished third in the shot put and fifth in the discus in Shippensburg. While that seems like a solid performance, it disappointed Banks.

"That is my motivation, there is no doubt," Banks said of that performance. "When I step up there to throw this year, I know this will be my last meet and my whole focus will be on getting the job done."

PUMPED UP: Also a solid lineman on the Hempfield football team, Banks has grown quite a bit, transforming from a 170-pound freshman into a 6-foot-3, 270-pound brute. His secret? "[Track throwing coach Dave Murray] locked me in the weight room and didn't let me out," Banks said, with a laugh.

THE FUTURE: He has accepted a scholarship to the University of Louisville.

-- By Colin Dunlap