Anita Szymoniak Shares Commitment to Saint Vincent and Plans to Start Cosmentic Company

Photo by Robyn Hepler Best.

Anita Szymoniak is a senior soccer and softball player at Ambridge Area School District and is a current commit to the Saint Vincent University Bearcats softball program. A three-year starter for Ambridge in both sports, Szymoniak serves as the anchor for the defense as the backstop for the softball team and center-back for the soccer team.

Since the age of four, she’s been playing each sport in one form or the other. But, as a young girl, she watched the Women’s College World Series and was mesmerized by the stage and ability level of the athletes taking part. Over time, the event has gotten bigger and has been more publicized, serving as extra motivation for the Bridgers senior dual-sport athlete to continue to put the work in to reach the pinnacle that is college softball one day.

Last month, Szymoniak completed one milestone on her goal sheet, committing to the Bearcats program in nearby Latrobe. A small-campus setting, the WPIAL standout will have the chance to play a lot of games in front of family and friends, grow deeper in her faith, and study for a degree in entrepreneurship that she hopes will allow her to open her own cosmetic company one day.

Since the sixth grade, she’s invested her summers and time all year long to the game of softball. For the last three years, she’s been involved with the Steel City Athletics organization, a crew she credits for helping her take a huge leap to get to the college level. In particular, Danielle Droz and Ron Lantzy are the coaches that helped her elevate her talents and help give her the opportunity to be seen by a larger audience of college coaches and scouts. Additionally, lessons with hitting coach, Keri Meyer, have helped transform her swing and turn her into a complete player.

Photo by Jonah Lantzy.

Looking back at her favorite memories on the diamonds today, her first home-run in 12U remains at the top because it is a moment that gave her the confidence she needed to keep going and working towards the goal she had for herself since the fifth grade. She also enjoyed the atmosphere of playing in a WPIAL playoff soccer game during her freshman season as to this point, it has been the best team she’s played on from a record standpoint.

Perhaps her biggest accomplishments have come off the field as at the time of this article, she’s currently ranked 10 in her high school class. She’s also a selection into the National Honor Society, serves as her class president, and is involved with the Interact Club and Student Council as the president of each of these groups.

With her commitment now under her belt, her focus turns to completing her courses, being the defensive anchor for the soccer team, and gearing up for one final season of high school softball. It’s sure to be a fun finish to senior year.

Photo by Jonah Lantzy.