ECC’s Sami Straub set to continue athletic, academic careers at SVC

Elk County Catholic High School senior Sami Straub is set to continue her basketball and track and field careers at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe while majoring in business and possibly also pursuing an interest in sports management.

“I knew I wanted to do something in college since I was younger,” Straub said.

However, Straub initially did not think continuing her basketball career at the college level would be possible. That all changed when her older brother, Adam, went to Saint Vincent.

“They saw the girls’ team play, and I didn’t know that basketball was a possibility for me, but they said the point guard was the same height and looked like me,” Straub said. “I looked into it a little bit more, and I figured that it was something

I’d want to do, and I knew I wanted to do track.”

While other schools offered Straub the option to pursue one of those sports, Saint Vincent gave her the opportunity to continue participating in both.

“Going to Saint Vincent allows me to continue both sports,” Straub said.

As for her intended major, Straub noted that Saint Vincent is a good fit for her academically as well.

“I knew I wanted to pursue a degree in business because I can do a lot with it, and then since Saint Vincent is big with the Steelers, I can get into sports management easily there,” Straub said.

Straub added that she is also considering later attending law school.

Sami is the daughter of Peter and Amy Straub of St. Marys. In addition to her older brother, she also has a younger sister, Katie.

Both Sami and Katie were members of the Lady Crusader PIAA 1A state champion girls’ cross country team this past fall.

In addition to basketball, track, and cross country, Straub also played soccer throughout her high school career.

Looking to the future, Straub expressed her gratitude to all those who have supported her as she has pursued her various goals.

“I’m appreciative of my parents, because

I couldn’t be in this school and play these sports without them, my family in general – my extended family, aunts, uncles, cousins – with a big sports background and always coming to support me, and my coaches, Kenny (Pistner), Alec (Pistner), Harley (Thompson), Wee J (Fernan) – not just those sports, but all of them – have believed in me and pushed me to be the best and continued to make me work harder,” Straub said.

Photo by Becky Polaski ECC senior Sami Straub recently signed a letter of intent to continue her athletic and academic careers at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, where she will participate in both basketball and track while pursuing a degree in business. Joining Straub for the occasion were her parents Amy and Peter, younger sister Katie, numerous coaches, and representatives from Elk County Catholic High School. Pictured, in front, from left, are assistant track and cross country coach Harley Thompson, Katie Straub, Amy Straub, Sami Straub, Peter Straub, Fr. Kevin Holland, and assistant girls’ basketball coach Maggie Dinsmore; and in back, Elk County Catholic High School Athletic Director Aaron Straub, Dave Bosnik, Elk County Catholic School System President Sam MacDonald, Lady Crusader basketball head coach Ken Pistner, Lady Crusader soccer head coach Michaela Cashmer, Lady Crusader cross country and track and field head coach Wee J Fernan, ECC Athletic Trainer Shawna Meyer, assistant girls’ basketball coaches Alec Pistner and Vicky Straub, and Elk County Catholic High School Principal John Schneider.