Brittany Skrot

Waking up before the rooster crows, driving across state to compete in a gymnastics competition and then driving another six hours back to compete in a championship softball game might seem like an overloaded day. But, it's not out of the ordinary for Brittany Skrot; it's just another day in her busy but rewarding life. She has worked long and hard to be able to excel in her gymnastics competitions and to stand out as first baseman for the championship team The Leechburg Eagles. Remembering back to when Brittany was a toddler her father, Ed, speaks about her first glove and ball. "It was one of those Velcro gloves that came with a little ball. I used to play catch with her." She started in T-Ball at age five and moved forward through the league. This is her third year on the Leechburg Eagles team. Brittany used to go to her brother's baseball games and credits him with teaching her how to run bases. As for her position as first basemen, well according to Brittany it's one of the best. "I like it because you are more involved because first base is where a lot takes place. I am also a better catcher than thrower," Brittany added with a grin. The softball team is doing so well this year they ended their season 2004 Champions after beating out thirty other teams.

Although she loves softball, gymnastics is her main sport. Her gymnastics career didn't start as early but that hasn't seemed to matter. In just five years she has set quite an impressive record. Gymnastics has taken her all over the state competing, and most recently, to the Western PA Championships where she took first place. Brittany is a member of the Kiski Competitive Edge gymnastics team and practices nine hours a week at the Allegheny Township YMCA in addition to participating in weekend competitions.

At the championships her highest score was for the All-Around with a 36.7. She took a first on everything except beam, for which she earned second. Brittany explained that her favorite event is floor because of all the different things she gets to do. Another amazing accomplishment was her score on vault, a whopping 9.5! There aren't too many of those scores going around.

During her time off it isn't unusual to find Brittany involved in some other sporting events with friends. She loves to play football, wiffleball, tennis, dodgeball and basketball. In fact, when she was younger, Brittany also played basketball at the YMCA. Her dad said that during one game there was 9 or 10 seconds left in the game when Brittany flung the ball from half court and made a basket with three seconds to go. It was one of those once-in-a-lifetime shots that they'll never forget.

Although Brittany's talents cover a wide range of sports, she also does very well academically. She always gets good grades and recently won the Arts in Education “Visual Arts” division. The theme was "Patriotic." She drew a flag, which won first place. Brittany is determined not just to participate in sports or academics but to follow through each endeavor with excellence. To watch the video go to http://www.alle-kiskitoday.com/webcasts/1160