Quinn Wittman has been molded into a Salisbury Falcons student-athlete since she was young. With two older brothers growing up in different Salisbury sports organizations, Wittman could not wait for her chance to don the blue and white uniforms of her favorite sports teams.

There was no sophomore slump for the rising junior last year as Wittman shined on both the soccer field and basketball court to earn the 2019-20 Lehigh Valley Health Network Salisbury Press Female Athlete of the Year.

“Being a student-athlete at Salisbury has always been special to me,” said Wittman. “Having two older brothers who were both athletes emerged me to the high school atmosphere at an early age. With that, going to high school was always something I looked forward to. I started playing varsity sports as a freshman.

“I’ve enjoyed my time playing alongside some of my best friends creating memories that will last a lifetime; and hopefully creating many more over the next two years. The tight knit community makes Salisbury feel like a family.”

Wittman played multiple sports growing up but was drawn to both soccer and basketball. She had the talent to play in age groups older than her.

“I enjoy both sports equally,” Wittman said. “I like how each sport presents separate challenges and enables me to become a better athlete. I have played soccer since I was six years old. I started playing SYA and then different club teams as time went on. I would always play with the age group above me, allowing me to face bigger, faster and stronger competition.

“I have been playing basketball since I was in third grade. I started in SYA and was always one of the only girls. Luckily, I played travel basketball with coach [Dan] Reichenbach in middle school and credit him for always pushing me and creating a love for the sport of basketball.”

Last season, Wittman helped lead the Falcons soccer team to a 9-3 overall record in the Colonial League, and earned a spot in the league final four, falling one goal shy (2-1) to eventual champion Northwestern. She tallied eight points and seven assists for the season. With a younger and more inexperienced basketball team, Salisbury went 0-16.

“In both sports, I am a true competitor and that fuels my drive to always want to win,” said Wittman. “For soccer, I simply like to score goals. I love fighting for the ball and winning it. Essentially, I would do whatever it takes to put the team in a better position to win. My personal accomplishments would not be possible without the help of my teammates.

“For basketball, just being athletic is an advantage. Having speed and vision on the court allow me to do well.”

With two years left at the high school level, Wittman still has time to not only improve her skills, but also to choose which sport she wants to play and which school to attend. Her future is drawing near and she has began to start thinking about the process ahead of her.

“College has always been something I have looked forward to,” Wittman said. “I have dreamed of playing in college since I was young, and have ability to make that dream a reality. I am also excited about meeting new people and teammates, playing at a higher level of soccer, and to ultimately start on the road to begin my future. I am looking to major in pediatric occupation therapy. Being able to help children with a physical, sensory, or cognitive disability with everyday activities and to create a bond with the child excites me most.”

As long as the PIAA continues to allow sports to be played this fall, Salisbury girls soccer begins its 2020 campaign on Monday, August 31, at Jim Thorpe.