Warren Timko is a high school senior from Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania. A year ago, he was not sure he would make it to graduation. But this week, he is being inducted into the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) Hall of Fame.

Timko was diagnosed with a pineal gland brain tumor in 2024 at just 16 years old. The rare tumor affects less than 1% of the population. His mother Debbie's first thought when they heard the news was that it might be inoperable.

"We never thought this day would come," Debbie said upon being interviewed.

Timko was just as blunt about where his head was at during those early days after being diagnosed.

"I thought I'd be d***," Timko said.

He underwent surgery to remove the tumor in March 2025 and spent months in recovery at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. He had to relearn the basics that most people never think twice about.

"There was a long process that was very difficult. I had to relearn, like, balancing. I also had to relearn how to talk," Timko confessed.

But, in June 2025, he rang the bell marking the end of his treatment.

When the Hall of Fame honor came, Timko could barely process it at first. Especially since his role model, Kurt Angle, the 1996 Olympic gold medalist in wrestling and WWE legend, is also in the 2026 WPIAL class.

"One of my idols growing up is in it, Kurt Angle. I used to watch him in WWE, and to see my name with that, like, I couldn't believe it," Timko said.

His football coach, Mike Junko, was not surprised the honor came his way.

"He's a kid that has been through so much and has fought so hard," Junko said. "He's summoned a courage inside of him that I didn't even know he had. And so, I can't think of anybody more deserving to be a part of that Hall of Fame."

Timko talked about what comes next with the same quiet determination that got him through the worst of it.

"I'm going to college at Daytona State my freshman year. And I plan to transfer to the University of Miami. So that's my dream school," he said.

For someone who once thought he would not make it, having a dream school is everything.

How Warren Timko Found His Way Back to the Football Field

Even through treatment and recovery, Warren Timko never fully walked away from football. He came back for senior night and stood with his teammates on the field he had worked so hard to return to.

He was also on the sideline with his team during the playoffs. A three-year letter winner who played both offensive and defensive line, Timko had been part of the 2022 WPIAL Finals team and the 2024 and 2025 WPIAL semifinalist squads.

After receiving his clear scans, Warren spoke about what it meant to be standing on the other side of it all. The relief in his words was impossible to miss.

"Thank you. It's so great to see you guys after all I had to go through and to show everybody that I'm good now. It really is just surreal," Warren said.

What do you think about Warren's incredible journey? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Farheen Fathima

Edited by

Arundhoti Palit