Very few Westmoreland County athletes in recent memory have been as successful in multiple sports as Olivia Cernuto. During her time at Southmoreland, she dominated in basketball, soccer, and track and field. Now as a sophomore at Gannon University, she’s a key part of a juggernaut basketball program. Cernuto is under the spotlight in this edition of the Westmoreland Alum Q&A.

Cernuto was a key cog in Southmoreland’s tremendous run on the hardwood, beginning in her freshman year in 2019-20. That season, Cernuto played in all 27 games for the Scotties, posting 11.5 points and 4.6 rebounds per contest, while also dishing out 95 assists and racking up 104 steals. Collectively, Southmoreland went 25-2, including 14-0 in section play. In the WPIAL playoffs, the Scotties ousted Freeport Area and Central Valley to reach the title game. Competing in the WPIAL Class 4A Championship, Southmoreland fell 61-44 against powerhouse North Catholic. In the PIAA playoffs, the Scotties bested Huntingdon, but fell to Lancaster Catholic in the second round to conclude the season.

The following year, the Scotties achieved a mark of 16-5, including 11-1 in the section. In the WPIAL Class 4A postseason, Southmoreland knocked off Deer Lakes and Mount Pleasant Area, but lost to Quaker Valley in the semifinals to end the campaign.

In 2021-22, Cernuto averaged 13.0 points per game, along with 5.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 3.4 steals per contest. Her play helped propel the Scotties to an overall record of 19-5, including 11-1 in the section. Back in the WPIAL Class 4A playoffs, Southmoreland ousted Highlands, but lost to Knoch in the semifinals. In the state bracket, the Scotties prevailed against Tyrone, but lost to Blackhawk in the second round.

Cernuto’s senior basketball season was wiped away by injury, as she finished her career on the hardwood with 850 points and as a three-time All-Section honoree. In her absence in 2022-23, the Scotties went just 2-20 overall, including 1-11 in the section, missing the playoffs.

She was just as decorated on the soccer pitch, as Cernuto scored 100 goals in her career at Southmoreland. Moreover, she was twice an All-WPIAL performer, as well as a three-time All-Section honoree, despite missing the majority of her senior year with injury.

She returned from injury in the spring of her senior year, however, winning gold in the 2022 WPIAL Class AA triple jump, and she took fifth place at the PIAA Class AA Championships in both triple jump and long jump.

Her college future was in basketball, though, as Cernuto joined the Gannon University team for the 2023-24 campaign. The guard played in 35 games for the Golden Knights as a freshman, posting 3.2 points and 2.1 rebounds per game, while compiling 78 assists, 51 steals, and nine blocks. Collectively, Gannon enjoyed a season for the ages, as the Golden Knights went 35-3 overall, including 21-1 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). In the conference tournament, Gannon prevailed against Edinboro University, West Chester University, and Lock Haven University to claim the PSAC crown. As a result, the Golden Knights hosted the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional, and knocked off West Virginia State University, Lock Haven, and Fayetteville State University. In the NCAA Elite Eight, the Golden Knights lost in overtime against Cal State San Marcos to conclude the historic season.

This season, Cernuto has played in 11 contests, including three starts. In that action, she’s posted averages of 3.8 points and 3.5 rebounds, dishing out 30 assists to go along with 14 steals. To this point, Gannon has gone 18-3 overall, including 10-2 in the PSAC.

Olivia dedicated time to answer questions about Gannon’s run to the Elite Eight, the challenges in overcoming her high school injury, and the pros and cons of playing for her mother with the Scotties.

Q: How have you evaluated your performance thus far this season?

A: Unfortunately, this season has been difficult because I have been battling injuries, but as of lately, I have been able to stay healthy despite some ups and downs. When I have played, I feel like there is a lot of things I can work on, but I take pride in my defense and getting us organized as my role as a point guard.

Q: You have shifted between starting and playing off the bench during your time at Gannon. What adjustments come with the different roles?

A: I don't think there is very many adjustments that come with starting or coming off the bench. Whether I am starting or coming off the bench, I just want to do my role for the team and play to the best of my abilities at all times.

Q: Gannon had an epic season last year. What were the biggest factors in that success?

A: I think some of the biggest factors in our success last year was that everyone bought into the system and wanted to compete. We made each other better every day and we were all in. We also had two of the best leaders who held us to a high standard and were always there for us.

Q: What team and individual goals have you established for this season?

A: My individual goals are for me to perform my best and put in extra work to do whatever I can to make my team better. Our team goals are to get 1 percent better every day and that includes executing our game plans, putting in extra work, winning every possession, and holding each other to high standards to be a player-led program. Of course, we have bigger goals to win our side of the PSAC, and then our conference, and to keep going on, but we can only focus on one game at a time.

Q: What led to your decision to attend Gannon?

A: The coaches’ honesty and the team atmosphere at Gannon was exactly what I was looking for.

Q: What is your major and ideal future profession?

A: Right now, I am currently undecided, but I am looking into the Radiology Program.

Q: What has been your favorite college course to this point?

A: Anatomy and Physiology.

Q: You suffered a serious injury during your senior year of high school. What were the biggest challenges in overcoming that?

A: Trying to get back physically and being confident in all the work I put in to feel strong enough to play at the next level, because high school and college levels are completely different.

Q: What were the pros and cons of playing for your mother with Southmoreland basketball?

A: I think some of the biggest pros would have been how she was able to push me to be the best player I could be. A con I would say is that being that she is my mother - we butt heads a lot and could be stubborn at times together.

Q: You also excelled at soccer and track and field in high school. How and when did you decide your future was in basketball?

A: I decided my future was in basketball after coming to Gannon, meeting the coaches, and seeing the program they had here.

Q: Do you use water, a sports drink, or something else for basketball?

A: Water.