North County Athletes of the Week: Ali Tatro and Brandon Czarnecki

NORTH COUNTY FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Name: Ali Tatro

School: Drury

Year: Sophomore

Sport: Soccer

The Blue Devils have struggled to win games this season, posting just one victory through 13 games. Drury has, however, battled to six ties and has steadily improved with each contest. Sophomore goalkeeper Ali Tatro has kept Drury in some ball games with her play in net. On Oct. 12, Tatro made 17 saves against two-time defending Western Mass. champion Wahconah, the Berkshire Eagle reports. The Warriors won 4-0, but Tatro kept it close by holding Wahconah to just one goal in the first half. On Oct. 14, Tatro made 12 saves to help Drury earn a point in a 1-1 stalemate against Lee. Devils head coach Molly Meczywor said Tatro has been named one the team’s floating captains for the upcoming week because of her recent play.

Favorite pro athlete? “Rajon Rondo”

If you could attend one sporting event in the world, which would you choose? “The Celtics-Heat game [to open the NBA season on Oct. 26]”

Favorite sport to watch on TV? “Basketball”

Favorite sports team? “New Orleans Saints”

Favorite athletic memory? “One of my favorite memories was during a game against Hoosac last year. I made a save , and I didn’t realize it was that big of a deal until one of my teammates came up and gave me a hug while I was coming out [of the box]. It was a really good moment.”

Toughest athlete you’ve ever competed against? “[My teammate] Danielle Racette because when we’re doing drills during practice, she always runs through the ball as if it’s a game. She never slows up.”

What is the hardest aspect of playing soccer? “[As a goalie] it’s trying not to hesitate. You have to decide quickly whether to come out after [the ball] or to stay back. You have to decide quickly what the opponent is going to do.”

Goals for the rest of the season? “As a team, we should work hard and never let up. We don’t want any weak moments on the field. Against Lee [this past week] everyone on our team played tough, and we executed very well together.”

What role will sports play in your life 20 years from now? “I’m hoping to go back into the youth leagues and help out. I went through the youth leagues, and I’d like to help the new kids coming up in any sport, whether it’s refereeing or coaching.”

Coach’s take: “Ali has really been playing well for us. She has saved us on many occasions. Her confidence has started to increase. She’s starting to come out on breakaways, and she is starting to come out on through balls, whereas last year she would have hung back on her line. When she makes a big saves, it’s a big pick-me-up for the team. The kids are seeming to feed off of Ali, in the sense that she’s making the big play and the next play we win the ball or something like that.” (Molly Meczywor, Drury girls’ soccer coach)

NORTH COUNTY MALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Name: Brandon Czarnecki

School: McCann Tech

Year: Junior

Sport: Football

Czarnecki had a solid all-around effort during McCann Tech’s 42-14 thrashing of Dean Tech on Oct. 9. According to the North Adams Transcript, Czarnecki scored a career-high four touchdowns, three of them on plays over 20 yards. He rushed for 89 yards on eight carries and accrued 91 yards receiving on two receptions, helping the Hornets improve to 3-2. On defense, Czarnecki started in one of the linebacker slots. McCann’s starting D didn’t allow a score; Dean Tech’s points came on special teams and against McCann’s reserve defense.

Favorite pro athlete? “LaDainian Tomlinson”

If you could attend one sporting event in the world, which would you choose? “The Super Bowl”

Favorite sport to watch on TV? “Football”

Favorite sports team? “New England Patriots”

Favorite athletic memory? “The feeling of getting a handoff and running right up the gut to score a touchdown, and hitting a bunch of people on the way in.”

Toughest athlete you’ve ever competed against? “The other linebacker on our team, Zach Bantle. We’re always competing for the most tackles in a game, which is fun.”

What is the hardest aspect of playing football? “The offseason training: running, lifting weights and things like that. Without all that, it would be so much harder to play during the season.”

Goals for the rest of the season? “I’m trying to reach 1,000 rushing yards and to record the most tackles on the team. As a team, we’d like to make it into the playoffs.”

What role will sports play in your life 20 years from now? “I think I’ll be coaching and hopefully still playing. I’d like to coach young kids. That’s how I started playing sports as a young kid, and you learn so much in those early years.”

Coach’s take: “With the formations that we have, we line him up in the fullback spot right behind the quarterback. Even at 160 pounds, he’s just going to come at you because of his relentless style of running. He’s not a flash guy; he’ll put his head down and run into you, and he might stiff arm you, too. He plays way above his weight. He’s also a very good receiver. He’s our leading receiver right now.” (Bob LeClair, McCann Tech football coach)