The Burrell track coach’s voice doesn’t really sound over-excited, but you can tell Rich Thome IS excited about the Lady Bucs, 2006 Edition. “This is a good group of girls,” he says. “They are really wanting to do well. You couldn't ask more of a team. We’ve never had this many girls who wanted to run. We’re very thankful for it.”

The Lady Bucs’ skipper has seen the 8-1 team coalesce this season into another Burrell powerhouse whose only loss was to another powerhouse, Greensburg Central Catholic. Thome explains in part what’s going on: “Our distance has stepped up and improved. We have a tremendous mile relay this year. The 4x800 is the best it’s ever been, broke the school record, and could go to WPIALs this year. Freshman Taylor Meyers has the fastest time in AA in the 800m and broke the school record by seven seconds. Kacey Anderson, a junior, is just knocking on the Burrell record by one inch in the high jump. Sophomore Rachel Ross has been a nice surprise, and her mile time has come down.”

Another factor in Burrell’s success has been the help of the team captains. Rich says, “They’re being good leaders, making coaches’ jobs easier.” The Lady Bucs’ captains include seniors Jennifer Kalkstein (who scored WPIAL medals in two events last year, including a silver and a trip to States), Cassie Majocha (WPIAL medalist last year also), Ashley Sieczkowski, and Chelsey Reimer, a junior. When it’s post-season play time, they are all among the…

Others To Watch: Meyers, 400m, 4x4; Anderson, high jump, triple jump; Ross, mile; Jen Kalkstein, 100m, 400m, relay; Majocha, 300m hurdles; sophomores Susan Kalkstein, triple jump; Nicki Becker, long jump, triple jump; junior Lyndsie Peterson, 100m hurdles; Stephanie Sharick, senior; Katie Helbling, junior; Natalie Klebine, sophomore; Gen Farine, freshman