O-R Athlete of the Week: Logan Crowe, McGuffey
Name: Logan Crowe
School: McGuffey
Class: Senior
Sports: Golf/Soccer
Crowe’s week: Crowe’s first-round score in the WPIAL Class 2A boys individual golf championship would make a solid case to be the Observer-Reporter Athlete of the Week, but when you factor in his contributions as a member of the Highlanders’ soccer team, the decision to honor Crowe was simple.
The senior shot a 1-over par 73 on a rainy day at Youghiogheny Country Club to earn the top spot heading into the final round that was held Wednesday at Sewickley Heights Country Club.
Crowe carded birdies on the fourth, eighth and 11th holes, and had 11 pars. He bogeyed the fifth, sixth, 15th and 17th holes for a one-stroke lead over Shady Side Academy’s Landon Mauser and Quaker Valley’s Ethan Dai.
“After shooting my practice round, I didn’t think it was the hardest course,” Crowe said. “My short game and putting were phenomenal. The ground was really soft because of the rain, so I didn’t put as much on my swings to get the ball on the green.
“I think a lot of times golfers make the mistake of trying to hit the ball as far as they can to reach the green when the conditions aren’t ideal, which doesn’t give you as much control over where the ball travels.”
Crowe didn’t have much time to relish in his golf round, as he helped McGuffey the following evening to a 4-3 overtime victory at Steel Valley in a Class 2A Section 3 contest. The Highlanders blanked South Allegheny, 5-0, two nights later in section play.
Crowe scored six of his 13 goals in play last week. He also has 19 assists. Crowe said he has been playing soccer “all my life,” and he is a member of the Riverhounds Academy at the club level.
“I am blessed to play with a great group of guys in golf and soccer,” Crowe said. “I am very competitive and hate losing. I am 100% excited for the team playoffs in golf. We are right there in soccer when it comes to qualifying for the playoffs.”
Where does he find the time? Golf matches are held in the afternoons for team play and tournaments begin in the morning, so Crowe can make it to his soccer matches in the evening, but his practice time with his high school team on the pitch is limited.
He overcomes the obstacle regarding practice by training at home with his father and siblings, and studying opponents’ tendencies by watching video.
Other pursuits: When Crowe is not playing sports, he skis at Seven Springs and Wisp Resort near Deep Creek, Md. Crowe also fishes and has his own window clean company, Fresh Services.
“We always used to go skiing as a family, and that is how I got into it,” Crowe said.
School comes first: Crowe said his parents have always pushed him to do well in school, and he hopes to go to college and continue to play collegiately. Crowe said he is interested in real estate and would like to explore opportunities with artificial intelligence.
Compiled by Jonathan Guth