Sophomore twins star at West Greene
Madison and Jade Renner. This junior-freshman combo was 15-1 entering the week.
Madison Renner is the reigning Post-Gazette Class 1A Player of the Year — she went 19-2 last season and hit .565 with 9 homers and 66 RBIs — and Jade Renner is coming off a no-hitter versus Cameron.
Other key contributors: Sophomores Kaitlyn Rizor, Mackenzie Carpenter and Savannah Pettit; juniors Lexie Mooney and Linzee Stover; and seniors Shelby Morris and Marrisa Rode.
Located in the western half of Greene County, the West Greene school district is expansive geographically. Simms cited this as a reason why the athletic programs have endured struggles over the years.
“We have kids who ride the bus an hour to an hourand-a-half one way to school,” said Simms, also a teacher and the athletic director at West Greene. “That can be challenging when you’re trying to get kids to be at a Saturday morning practice. It’s not like you can pile 14 of them into a couple cars and get them here.
“There’s just too much distance between them. That being said, what’s helped us with this group is that we have dedicated parents who are willing to run them around everywhere. It’s made a big difference.”
Ditto for the Lampe twins, who enjoy making folks see double, on and off the field.
“It’s great being a twin; we’re best friends,” said Madison, who made a pact with McKenna to attend the same college. “We hang out together, we share our clothes and we push each other.”
They also cause confusion — as Madison’s boyfriend found out recently. McKenna shared the story.
“I was walking down the hallway and he went to talk to me and give me a highfive,” said McKenna, who finished ninth, and Madison 18th, at the WPIAL Class 1A cross country finals. “I said, ‘Um, I’m not Madison.’ He said, ‘Yes you are.’... Then, when he finally realized that I wasn’t Madison, he turned to me and said, ‘This never happened,’ and he walked away.”
McKenna let out a strong laugh.
“We’re having fun,” she said. “And we’re lucky to have each other.”