Branson Carson wants to dominate. Alli Morrow is happy to associate.

Both were effective enough in their respective sports last week to be named the Butler Eagle Male and Female Athletes of the Week.

Carson, a junior baseball pitcher for Moniteau, struck out 15 batters in 5.1 innings while getting a no-decision in the Warriors' 4-3 victory over Brookville.

Morrow, a junior on the Butler girls track and field team, won three individual events and ran a leg of the winning 4x100 meter relay in the Golden Tornado's 92-58 victory over Seneca Valley.

Carson has struck out 47 batters in 21 innings so far this season. The right-hander's fastball has topped out at 89 miles per hour and he averages in the middle 80's.

“My mind-set is always to blow the ball past kids,” Carson said. “I appreciate the way my defense works for me ... If I can't strike a kid out, I'll pitch to contact.

“Sometimes I get lucky and strike him out anyway.”

Averaging 2.3 strikeouts per inning, Carson works a lot on strength training and band-stretching to strengthen his muscles.

He has fallen victim to stretches of widness at times.

“When I get tired, I lose focus,” Carsion admitted. “That's something I need to work on.”

Always possessing the overpowering fastball, Carson has developed an effective curveball over the past year.

“I have enough control of that (curve) now that I'll throw it at any spot in the count,” he said. “It's definitely made me a better pitcher.”

Carson is hopeful of playing college baseball in a couple of years.

“I really want to play in college, hopefully get drafted at some point and play in the minor leagues,” he said. “I just have to keep developing.”

While Carson stands out on the mound, Morrow can get lost in the crowd — the crowd of talented athletes on the Butler track and field team.

And she doesn't mind a bit.

“The team atmosphere we have is incredible,” Morrow said. “Everyone on the team wants to see everyone else do well. There is so much support here, so much pride in the team.”

Morrow has been a sprinter since eighth grade. She started doing the long jump during an indoor meet at Edinboro University her sophomore year.

“Our coaches needed someone for the long jump that day and I offered to try it,” she said. “I loved it right away. Speed and acceleration are a big part of the long jump. I found it challenging.”

It is the only field event she does.

Morrow said her favorite event is the 200 meters.

“It's the longest run I do,” she said. “I enjoy sprinting the curve, then sprinting the straightaway. I know my times can get faster.”

Morrow's goals are based around her team.

“All I want to do is contribute to our team winning the WPIAL championship, then do well at the WPIAL individual meet,” she said.

“We pump each other up. We're all close to each other. It's easy to want to do well when you're doing it for a team that is so in it together.”

While Morrow has been a sprinter her entire track career, she will not limit herself in that regard.

“I'll do whatever events they want me to do, as long as it helps,” she said.