O-R Athlete of the Week: Colin Whyte, West Greene
Name: Colin Whyte
School: West Greene
Grade: Junior
Sport: Wrestling
Whyte’s week: In his debut as a heavyweight wrestler, Whyte won the Chartiers-Houston Invitational title Saturday.
He secured a 1-0 decision over Mt. Lebanon’s Ben Lloyd in the championship match.
The victory over Lloyd capped off a tournament where Whyte won five matches.
He earned a pin over Carlynton’s Henry Barbich in the second period of his semifinal match, a 5-0 decision over Bethel Park’s Michael Gibson in the quarterfinals, a 11-0 major decision against Jefferson-Morgan’s Landon Heath in the second round and pinned Chartiers-Houston’s Jacob Lyle in the first round.
It was Whyte’s first tournament title. Accomplishing that while moving up a weight class made for a very special day, which he got to share with his dad, Gary, who is West Greene’s wrestling coach.
“It was a good opponent I wrestled (in the final),” Whyte said. “The first period we kind of felt each other out and no points were scored. It was mostly hand fighting. In the second period, I was able to ride him out and in the third period I got an escape and kept the match neutral from there to win 1-0. It felt pretty good to finally win a tournament and come out on top.”
National Honor Society: Along with getting a first wrestling title, Whyte had another big achievement this week. He had his application to the National Honor Society accepted Monday night.
Whyte has maintained a high GPA throughout high school and has carved out time to help his community. He volunteers as an assistant coach for the West Greene youth wrestling team, works alongside his grandmother cleaning roads with the Adopt A Highway program and helps in soup kitchens.
“Last year, my sophomore year, was the year I became eligible to apply,” Whyte said. I knew I had all the requirements to get in, so I filled out a packet. I have done some community service, which helped me get in as well. I take academics just as seriously as I do athletics, so I’ve put the time in at school too.”
Goal-line specialist: In the fall, White is the left tackle on the Pioneers’ football team, but when they make it close to the end zone he turns into former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Mike Alstott.
He scored seven touchdowns this season, all of them coming as a fullback in goal-to-go situations.
“Because our school is as small as it is, I get moved around where they need me,” Whyte said. “I play left tackle as well as middle linebacker on defense, but I’m ready to sub in as fullback when they need me for short yardage situations, whether it was close to the goal line or a fourth-and-one that we need to pick up.”
Hobbies: When Whyte finds some free time, he loves to explore the outdoors. He’s an avid hunter and fisherman, but between the two he said he enjoys fishing the most.
“I love the techniques and all the different fish you can catch,” Whyte said. “I do a little bit of everything. I fly fish. I use a spinning reel. I love all of it.”
Compiled by Jerin Steele