Their 4-5 record might not show it, but Lizik has seen progress in the boys’ track team. “Things have been extremely good this year,” he notes. “Of the meets we've lost, we've been in every meet, except for the Deer Lakes meet [Undefeated Deer Lakes has an extremely good team this year- ed.] That is a really tremendous improvement.”

Lizik sees the development coming not just from the aforementioned senior leadership, but also from a place not exactly known for experience and maturity. “Seniors Adam Kolcun, Doug Bandurak, Matt Shirey—people like them,” says Lizik. “Those three boys at any track meet at any time would do anything you'd ask. They’re the best athletes in school, and at top of their class academically…leaders in the classroom and out on the track.” At the other end of the spectrum, out of the place you might not expect, just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water (or on the track), comes…

…The Ninth-Graders.

“We have an extremely large and talented freshman group this year,” the coach says. “It has allowed us to cover all the events. We have a group of freshman that all run 800m and they are running the 3200m relay for us. They’ll be going to the WPIAL qualifier. They’re running a very good time as a bunch of freshman.” The relay squad includes Clay Altomose, Derek Bandurak, Ben Bildie, Johnny Rotto, and Brian Wheatley (a sophomore). Lizik looks into his crystal ball and sees a solid future. “If we can keep that group together, we can do some special things in the years to come.”

Ones To Watch: Junior Michael Coleman, javelin, pole vault (we should just call this young man The Amazing Mr. 4-In-1 Tool, cause he’s 4 sports in 1: football, wrestling, track & baseball. He’s thrown 169 ft, in top 8 in WPIAL AA in javelin, has good shot at States. Mr. 4-In-1 would then medal in two WPIAL sports and go to States in two); junior Nathan Bauer, long jump (jumped 19ft 6 inches, could go to States).