Female Spotlight Athlete of the Week Sasha Innis
Jan. 8—Name: Sasha Innis
School: Westmont Hilltop
Age: 17
Grade: 12
Sport: Swimming
Parents: Jeff and Stephanie Innis, of Westmont
Athletic achievements: 2023 YMCA national qualifier; 2022 and 2023 District 6 Class 2A 50-yard free and 100 free champion; 2022 and 2023 Westmont Hilltop swimmer of the year; 2022 and 2023 Central Western Alleghenies Aqua Conference first-team selection; and Westmont Hilltop program record holder in the 50 free.
Coach's quote: "Sasha has been in the pool for a good part of her life. She constantly strives to get better than she was the day before by pushing herself beyond her limits at practices and meets. This dedication to always be better drives her to do whatever she can do to make both of her high school and YMCA teams better. I see her continuing this commitment to excellence at Cleveland State, where she will continue to excel not only as a member of the swim team, but on the academic side of the school, too." — Westmont Hilltop swim coach Jay Hicks
Favorite subject: Biology
Favorite movie: "Chicago"
Favorite book: "American Psycho" by Bret Easton Ellis
Favorite food: Buttered Corn
Favorite teacher (subject taught): Dr. Cordek (AP Biology)
Favorite song: "Loyalty" (by Kendrick Lamar)
Favorite app on your phone: Lemon8
Outside interests: Being a mentor at Outdoor Odyssey and spending time with friends and family
If you were an animal, what animal would you be and why?: A whale shark because it's my favorite animal
Favorite athletic team: Duke University basketball
Athlete most admired: United States Olympic swimmer Simone Manuel
Most influential person on my athletic career: My mom and all of my coaches at Westmont Hilltop and at the Greater Johnstown YMCA, especially Glenn Giles
Most impressive athlete that you have competed against: Greater Johnstown YMCA's Rylee Kohan
Proudest athletic achievement: Qualifying for YMCA nationals at the 2023 District 6 meet
How I got my start: At age 6, I started taking swim lessons at the Greater Johnstown YMCA.
To compete at the NCAA Division I swimming championships next year as a member of the Cleveland State University swim team and to become a physician assistant. — Jake Oswalt
