PA Rivals Work Together

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http://www.gatewaynewspapers.com/norwin ... rts/45702/

Rivals work together to reach goals
By Jim Spezialetti, Sports Editor
Wednesday, April 20, 2005

Norwin High School has seen its share of athletes excel in the pole vault. The Knights have claimed the past 10 pole vault titles at the Westmoreland County Coaches Association Invitational.

Senior Dave Craven, who captured first place last year, will try to continue that streak this week when county athletes gather at Latrobe.

Dave posted a personal best height of 14 feet 3 inches last week in a meet against Kiski Area, 3 inches above the state qualifying standard.

He will be challenged by friend and rival, Anthony Trunzo of Penn-Trafford, who edged Dave out in the teams' dual meet earlier this season.

And, if Anthony is able to end Norwin's pole vault streak at the WCCA Invitational, he will have Norwin's coaching staff to thank.

Trinity Morgan, the Knights head track and field coach, was the coach at Penn-Trafford the previous two seasons. Although Morgan now coaches his alma mater, he continues to help Anthony.

"Both of them will do anything you ask of them. They are very coachable," says Morgan. "They're the type of kids you want to coach."

But, as Morgan learned, not the type you want to challenge.

In an all-ages meet at Slippery Rock University, the boys made a bet with their coach. If either student beat their coach, Morgan would treat for dinner.

The students enjoyed a nice meal courtesy of their coach after Dave edged out Morgan for first place.

"I haven't jumped in a competition in five years," says Morgan. "I was out of shape. He beat me on endurance."

The friendly wager is just part of the relationship developed between students and coach. Morgan's high school teammate, Craig Stamford, has been Norwin's pole vault coach since 1998. He also has become a friend and mentor to Anthony.

"We've all become close now," says Stamford.

Anthony is in his junior season. Because Penn-Trafford does not have a pole-vault coach, Anthony works on his own during the week and then practices with the Norwin contingent on Saturdays. He considers Dave a teammate.

Dave and Anthony were both in the WPIAL finals last season. Anthony advanced to the state meet while Dave had an off-day partly because of an ankle injury.

"He keeps me motivated," says Dave about Anthony. "We cheer each other on but we want to beat each other."

When the two schools met for the first regular season meet, Anthony beat Dave on the number of scratches. Competing in windy conditions, Anthony needed just one jump to make 12-6 while Dave needed two attempts.

"It makes me so mad thinking about it," says Dave. "I wanted to have a perfect record (in dual meets)."

"He says I'm his bad luck charm," says Anthony. "Every meet we're at, he doesn't do well."

At the Latrobe Invitational last week, Dave scratched out in the opening height while Anthony took second place. Anthony also took a break from the pole-vault competition to run in a relay race.

"Anthony was looking good to get 14 feet but he had to run the relay," says Morgan.

This year, Dave wants to earn a top three finish in the WPIAL meet and a top 6 finish in the state meet. His main goal is to break the Norwin school record of 15 feet 3 inches, set by former teammate Tim Tray.

Dave will attend Slippery Rock in the fall to become teammates with Tim once again. And just like Tim, Dave wants to study health and physical education.

"They have great track facilities and the major that I wanted."

The high school senior will also join another Norwin graduate at Slippery Rock, Raisa Weiss.

"Dave is going to fit in very well," says Stamford.

Anthony's goal this season is to earn a medal in the state meet, which would be a top eight finish. He placed 10th last season.

The Penn-Trafford student is a relative newcomer to the pole vault. Anthony tried the event halfway through his freshman year.

"It looked fun and my pap used to do it when he was in school."

A day after his first practice, Anthony was competing in his first varsity meet.

"Coach Morgan put me in the meet and I placed third," says Anthony. "Even the other coach said I should stick with it."

Anthony says he is almost 100 percent sure that he will continue to pole vault in college but he does not know what school.

Dave became involved with the pole vault in seventh grade.

"I was not big enough to play football and not tall enough for basketball. I just tried it and loved it."

As Dave and Anthony continue to work toward new pole-vault heights, they both have raised the bar on sportsmanship.