What is your name?
Sam Diola
What sport do you play?
Golf
How long have you played your sport?
Started when I was little, played occasionally, then took it seriously when I found out there was a golf team and played it throughout all of high school.
What is your favorite memory of playing your sport? Why?
Honestly, the people because it’s overall a fun environment, and the thrill I feel after winning against a challenging team with everyone shooting really well, is worth it. Getting McDonald’s after the win is worth it too.
What are your plans for after high school?
Looking towards majoring something in engineering or computer science.
Do you have any sports idols? How did they influence you?
Tiger Woods because he was the first golfer I knew since I was little. Also, a Korean guy I saw on TikTok with the smoothest golf swing ever and I’ve always tried to influence his swing into mine which worked really well for me.
How did you start playing your sport?
I started back in New York when I was around 5 and my dad started teaching me how to play. I also joined a program there called “The First Tee” that taught kids the basics of golf. Then I stopped playing that much and got back to it when I moved here.
What advice would you give someone just starting your sport? Why?
Research anything you can or even go on YouTube for some tips. Seeing someone else’s swing in action and breaking it down could really help you. Or just ask Coach for help, he has been coaching for YEARS.
What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned through playing your sport?
No matter how bad the shot was in the past or how bad the shot could be in the future, focus on now in the present.
What is your greatest accomplishment outside of sports?
Being able to be more active and social and not just sit around all day quietly doing nothing.
What do you consider your greatest strength?
I’ll always try to find a working solution to any challenge I’m faced with.
What do you consider your greatest weakness?
Being distracted by things happening around me.
Have you passed up any opportunities that you regret? What were they? What would you change?
No, I haven’t regretted any passed-up opportunities so far. They’ve all led up to where I am in life right now and it’s been alright.

What’s had the greatest impact on your life, good or bad, and why?

Probably moving from NY to PA. For me its both good and bad because sometimes I miss some things in New York like the area, but here in PA I feel more open and social than I was back there.
Do you have any bad habits you wish you could break? What are they?

Lazy habits for sure, it feels like I’m just wasting time.
How do you think your our graduating class will change the world?

We will change the world by either making it better or worse due to our decisions and opinions as a society.
How does being an athlete make you a better person? Why?
Being an athlete makes me a better person by showing how to treat people well because working well with others and understanding them better makes things more fun.
Do you think attitude is a factor in winning? Why?

Yes it is because having a bad attitude when winning will lead to poor actions and negatively affect those around you. Having a better attitude when winning is very sportsmanlike to others and shows respect.
How do athletics make you a better student?

I heard being athletically active gets your blood pumping and puts you into a mood where it helps you focus well as a student.