ACCESS NEPA FILE PHOTO
Gavin D’Amato ran patterns and caught passes Friday night en route to a 45-0 win over Mid Valley.
BY COLLEEN MCALEER
Tunkhannock Area senior football player Gavin D’Amato rushed for 78 yards and caught 4 passes, adding another 72 in the air. In recognition of his achievement, D’Amato has been named the Wyoming County Press Examiner Athlete of the Week.
Grade, age, hometown: Senior, 17, Tunkhannock
Family: Mom Renee, dad Brian, sister Rhiannon (16), brother Bronson (8)
Do you have any pets? Yes, a lizard named Kiko, and three cats: Monkey, Mama, and George
Position: Running back and defensive tackle
What other sports do you play? Wrestling and track
Three reasons why you compete: I compete for my family, my friends, and for the love of the game.
Athletes you admire: Trindon Holiday, Saquon Barkley, and Alvin Kamara
Three people you’d like to have dinner with, dead or alive: Ron Frisco, Saquon Barkley, and Hailey Buckley.
Who inspires you to be better? My parents because they are always pushing me to do my best. No matter how well I do in any sport or anything in life, they’re always pointing out a spot where I could’ve done better and that’s what has made me into who I am today.
Favorite school subject: Psychology with Mr. Bevan
Favorite sports movie: “Rocky IV”
Favorite social media app: Hudl
Favorite food: Macaroni and cheese and tacos
What is the best place for post game food? McDonald’s
What would be your team anthem? “Dreams and Nightmares”
Superstitions or rituals: I pace a lot and have to be the last one out of the field house.
Who’s your go to band or artist when you can’t decide on something to listen to? Childish Gambino
When did you start playing football competitively? In third or fourth grade for the junior Tigers
Favorite field to compete on and why? Our home field because there is nothing like playing in front of our hometown fans.
What is your favorite football memory? Beating Pittston earlier this year. That comeback win- it was unreal. It is still surreal.
Number and reason? I wear #26. In my freshman year, I really wanted #24 for Marshawn Lynch, but someone had it. I got #26 and hated it. But then Jake Frisco told me to look up Saquon Barkley and I did. Now I love it.
What is your dream job? To be a special education teacher
What is the coolest place you have traveled to? Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut
Who are your closest teammates? Alec Walter, Jhamal Zacharias, the whole offensive line, and all the seniors.
How would you describe Coach Marabell in one word? Ambitious
How would he describe you? Ambitious
What sports quote or motto do you try to live by? “It isn’t the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.”
What skill would you like to master? To be a parkour master.
What is something you think everyone should do at least once in their lives? Be a part of a team, compete for something. Whether it is athletics or academics, or anything, just compete.
Random fun fact about you: I am ambidextrous.
Post-graduation plans: To go to college, either King’s or Mansfield, to be a special education teacher, and hopefully wrestle or play football.
