Boys athlete of the week

The Post-Gazette’s top male performer for the past seven days

Last week: Harmon won the WPIAL Class 2A boys tennis singles title last Wednesday with a 6-3, 6-3 decision against Aquinas Academy senior Jackson Gillespie.

Check this out: Harmon, a junior, has been the No. 1 singles player for the Panthers in all three of his seasons and was the WPIAL runner-up to Austin He of Winchester Thurston in 2023. In addition to tennis, he also finished tied for ninth at the WPIAL Class 2A golf finals in October.

Reflecting back, what was it like to win the singles title?

It’s awesome. It’s been really cool to kind of take it in a little bit. It’s hard to enjoy it whenever it happens. In that moment, you’re kind of wiped out from the match and it’s hard to appreciate it.

What has it been like to be the No. 1 at Sewickley Academy for the past three years?

We’ve got a great history of great players and great captains, and to be a part of that in some small way is pretty humbling.

What is it like to play for coach Whitney Snyder?

He’s awesome. I love everything about it. Practices are awesome, and I’ve never been on a team where the coach cares that much about his players and seeing the players succeed.

What was more important for you — making states for golf or tennis individually this year? I don’t know. I certainly enjoy playing both, but it’s kind of nice not to have to play in 40-degree weather with rain and snow in October whenever golf is. I think I look forward to tennis more, but both mean a lot.

Say it’s perfect weather outside. Which sport do you prefer?

Golf. I think it’s just very focused on your mentality and bouncing back from mistakes. I do that in tennis, too, but I like being outside and it’s slow.

What went through your mind as a WPIAL golfer watching The Masters and seeing Neal Shipley playing with Tiger Woods?

That was crazy. I know people that are close to him, and they say he’s one of the smartest people.

Can you imagine playing a round with Tiger?

No. I don’t know what I’d do, but I certainly wouldn’t go out and beat him like Shipley did.

What do you do for fun?

I do performing arts in the winter, so that’s my winter thing. Then just hanging out with family.

So you were in the Sewickley Academy musical?

I wasn’t the lead, but I was the lead sidekick. I was Cosmo in “Singin’ in the Rain.”

Are you a better singer or dancer than a golf or tennis player?

Oh boy. I guess compared to other guys my age, I’m good at tap dancing, but that’s a tough question.