Mikes select Armstrong, Spishock
Paige Armstrong is Carmichaels spring sports female selection in the Centennial Chevrolet Scholar/Athlete Spotlight program.
Joel Spishock is Carmichaels spring sports male selection in the Centennial Chevrolet Scholar/Athlete Spotlight program.
Paige Armstrong and Joel Spishock both have college plans pretty well etched in stone with the spring sports season on the horizon.
Both also were selected to represent Carmichaels High School as spring sports selections in the Centennial Chevrolet Scholar/Athlete Spotlight program.
Armstrong, daughter of Judy and Ryan Armstrong, of Carmichaels, maintains a 3.83 GPA and has a younger sister, eighth grader Peyton Armstrong. Spishock, son of Francee and Tom Spishock, of Carmichaels, maintains a 3.93 GPA and has a younger sister, sophomore volleyball player and cheerleader Meighan Spishock.
Armstrong plans to study history at Shippensburg University and might play softball for the Big Red. Spishock will study mechanical engineering and play baseball for the Catamounts of Potomac State in Keyser, W.Va.
History was an easy and logical choice of major for Armstrong.
鈥淢y dad was a history major at WVU and it is something we have always explored together. We go to a lot of historical sites together and talk about them,鈥� she said. 鈥淗e is a lawyer, but we have always just enjoyed learning about history together.鈥�
Shippensburg also was an easy choice for her, based on experiences of a few friends.
鈥淚 know one person who goes there now and I know another person who recently graduated from Shippensburg,鈥� Armstrong said. 鈥淭hey both have told me that it蘑菇视频 a very nice school and when I visited there, I confirmed it. I鈥檓 sure I will love it there. I pitch for our softball team and I would consider pitching at Shippensburg, if given the opportunity.鈥�
Carmichaels assistant softball coach and pitching coach Cortney Newland has had the greatest influence on Armstrong, who throws right-handed but bats left-handed, as an athlete.
鈥淲e have a special bond, she is a close friend of my family and is like a big sister to me,鈥� Armstrong said. 鈥淪he calls all of my pitches and knows our opponents very well. She played at Carmichaels about 10 years ago. I never got to watch her pitch, but she is just amazing.鈥�
Spishock also has close ties to an assistant coach at Carmichaels, fellow left-hander Joby Lapkowicz, who also studied mechanical engineering in college and steered Spishock in that direction.
鈥淲hen I was a kid, I was always drawn to making things,鈥� Spishock said. 鈥淧lus, I have found that I really like science and math in school. When Joby joined our coaching staff a few years ago, I found out that he studied mechanical engineering. So I started talking to him about it and what he does and it seems like the right thing for me to pursue.鈥�
Spishock蘑菇视频 college plan includes baseball, possibly for only two years, possibly all four.
鈥淧otomac State is a Division I junior college, so I鈥檒l go there for two years and it is a feeder school. They are giving me money toward my education for playing baseball for them. After my two years, I will transfer to West Virginia University and that is where I will finish my degree.鈥�
Spishock, a first baseman, was fortunate enough to play as a freshman, when the Mikes played in the WPIAL championship game against California. The Trojans won the game, but it left a lasting impression on Spishock.
鈥淔irst of all, just to be able to play as a freshman was amazing, just going through the season was very special, but then the playoffs came around and that was more special, then getting to play at Consol Energy Park, under the lights, that was really special,鈥� Spishock said. 鈥淛ust the way the whole season played out and the way the community rallied around us made it something I won鈥檛 forget anytime soon.鈥�
His father was an easy choice for Spishock when asked who had the greatest influence on him as an athlete.
鈥淢y dad taught me as a kid that you put your family first before anything,鈥� Spishock said. 鈥淗e always made time for me, with his work schedule and everything. He always made time to practice with me when I felt I needed it.鈥�
A few years back, Tom Spishock was diagnosed with cancer.
鈥淥f course, no one wants to ever have to go through that, but he was so strong through the whole process, he just went through what he needed to go through,鈥� Joel Spishock said. 鈥淗e蘑菇视频 cancer free now and that蘑菇视频 just something I will always look up to and be thankful for.鈥�
Paige Armstrong, Q&A
College plans: Will attend Shippensburg University and major in history.
Favorite subject, teacher: History, English teacher Mrs. Kolencik.
Twitter, Facebook or text messaging: Text messaging.
Most memorable sports moment: The first time I scored a run in a varsity game. I am not fast, so it was a big deal.
Favorite food: Lasagna rollups.
Least favorite cafeteria food: Breakfast burritos.
Most recent book read: Me Before You, by Jojo Moyes.
All-time favorite movie: The Wizard of Oz.
On my iPod: I listen to a large variety of music.
Most admired professional athlete: My favorite is Anthony Rizzo, first baseman for the Cubs. He蘑菇视频 left-handed, like me.
Greatest influence on you as an athlete: Cortney Newland.
In 10 years, I will be: Working as an archivist for a museum or company.
If I were President of the United States for one day, I would: There蘑菇视频 too much I鈥檇 want to do that would take much more than one day.
Joel Spishock, Q&A
College plans: Potomac State College to major in mechanical engineering.
Favorite subject, teacher: Calculus, Mr. Hess.
Twitter, Facebook or text messaging: Texting, Snapchat, Instagram and Twitter.
Most memorable sports moment: Playing in the WPIAL Championship my freshman year.
Favorite food: Steak.
Least favorite cafeteria food: Cheeseburger.
Most recent book read: The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
All-time favorite movie: Forrest Gump.
On my iPod: Classic rock, country and rap
Most admired professional athlete: Roberto Clemente.
Greatest influence on you as an athlete: My dad.
In 10 years, I will be: Hopefully holding a steady position as a mechanical engineer within a company while also trying to start a family.
If I were President of the United States for one day, I would: Work on making the country more self-reliable and less dependent on other countries and their imports.