Track team with trophy

Freeport Track Coach Bill Dillen says, "Speeches are nice but they only last a few minutes. Once the game starts, you better be prepared and you better take care of business."

Following the team philosophy, the Freeport boys' track team was prepared and took care of business at the 2003 WPIAL Track and Field Championships in May, decisively seizing the WPIAL AA crown. Aliquippa fell, 126 to 24, and Greensburg Central Catholic stumbled, 107 to 43, before the Jackets' onslaught as Freeport sprinted to the WPIAL Team Finals. Among the Final Four WPIAL Elite of Shenango, Southmoreland, and Beaver, the boys from Freeport made themselves right at home.

But during one of the meets in the WPIAL Team Finals, the Jackets had to take care of a scare when senior Scott Kallen was disqualified in the 300 hurdles due to an unknown problem. Dillen says, "It was a little bit of a concern--that gave the other team five points. But the kids picked it up; they had to pick it up the rest of the meet. And they did, a total team effort." They defeated each of the other three teams by more than 18 points to take the AA title for the first time since 1982.

It wasn't an easy run for the Jackets, despite their 14-0 season. Freeport Athletic Director Bill Reilly predicted at the season's start that the boys' team would challenge for the championship. Head Coach Dillen says, "You always expect to make the playoffs, it's goal number one. [But] you never know--you gotta worry about injuries. It's part of the game."

The Jackets had to take care of that very important part of the game. Recovering from injuries was their toughest hurdle this season, Dillen believes. "It was getting Talon Conjack, Tim Walters, and Josh Helgert all healthy again." Serious injuries, including an ACL tear, had taken a heart-wrenching toll on the Yellow Jacket seniors throughout the year's sports seasons.

The three, in addition to Scott Kallen and Andy Laux, were part of a class of standout senior track athletes that anchored the Jacket team. "That group of seniors have been leaders, collectively," commented Dillen. "They've done the job, boys AND girls. Those kids have done a great job." (The Freeport girls' track team, who was the WPIAL runner-up last year, posted a strong 11-3 record and came in third in the WPIAL this year.)

"To get both boys and girls into the WPIALs was a good accomplishment," said Coach Dillen, one that he attributes also to the track coaching staff. Helping the Jackets take care of business on the coaching end is Bob Isenberg, who coaches jumpers; Bob Livrone, who coaches distance runners; Mike McGrath and John Gaillott, who coach throwers; and Beth Kendall, along with Dillen, coach sprinters, hurdlers, and relay teams.

By the time you read this, the Freeport boys' track team will have already gone to the state Individual and Team Championships. You can read more about the team, including rosters, photos, and their finish this season, at www.alle-kiskitoday.com in the Alle-Kiski Sports link. And regardless of the tough competition they faced and the unpredictable outcome of the meets, you can be sure this talented team went in prepared and took good care of everything they could.