Upper St. Clair

Last week: Kline finished first in the 100- and 300-meter hurdles at the Tri-State Track Coaches Association meet, one of the biggest early season invitationals in Western Pennsylvania.

Check this out: Kline also finished first in both events at the South Hills Classic a week earlier. At the WPIAL Class AAA championships a year ago, she was second in the 300 and third in the 100. Kline, a 5-foot-10 senior, will run next season at Pitt.

• What made you be a hurdler and not just a sprinter? Hurdling is more fun than just running in a straight line. You can always improve your form and technique in hurdling, too.

• Does it hurt when you hit a hurdle? When you're actually hurdling, you don't feel it -- until after you run. Then you might have a big bruise on your leg and you say, 'Oh, I must have hit a hurdle.'

• What are your goals this season? One is to break our school records, which I've been close to. I hope to win the WPIAL, too, and finish higher at states.

• Favorite sport to watch on TV? Gymnastics.

• How many games will the Pirates win? Let's say 100. I guess that's thinking positively.

• Upper St. Clair basketball coach Danny Holzer or football coach Jim Render? I don't want either of them to say anything to me at school, but I'll say Danny Holzer because he just gave me an 'A' in history class.

• People might be surprised to know that ... I was a gymnast for about 13 years. But I'm so tall that I gave it up.

-- By Mike White

Pine-Richland

Last week: In three Pine-Richland baseball victories against Bethel Park, Knoch and Mars, Kuban was 7 for 8 with a home run, 2 doubles, 4 RBIs and 3 walks.

Check this out: Kuban, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound senior, is a four-year starter for the Rams. He played outfield until last season, when he was moved to third base. This season, he is one of the reasons Pine-Richland is 7-0. He is batting .500 (12 for 24) with 2 home runs, 13 RBIs, 10 runs scores and 4 stolen bases. Some Division I colleges are interested, but Kuban has not made a decision.

• The weather isn't warm yet, but you've been hot. Why? I think the practices we do have a lot to do with it. Before the season started, we would hit a lot in cages before school. We would get a lot of work in.

• Who has had the biggest impact on you as a hitter? I'd probably say [Detroit Tigers manager] Jim Leyland. I've played summer leagues with his son, Pat, and [Jim] used to help coach us. He still helps me with fundamentals whenever I see him.

• Is Neil Walker still a big deal at Pine-Richland? Definitely. He always comes back here. Before our football game against North Allegheny this year, he came back and talked to us. I try to be like him. He's a great role model.

• How many games will the Pirates win this year? Well, they won the first one. I'd say 64.

• That's not too good? I know but ...

• People might be surprised to know that ...No one knows this, but I never wash my uniform during the season. I'm superstitious. I asked my mom the other day where my uniform was. I told her she couldn't wash it because I was hitting good.

-- By Mike White