TRACK AND FIELD Tradition helps keep YSU in championship form

Coach Brian Gorby has won 11 titles in 11 years in track and cross country.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- When Youngstown State track and field coach Brian Gorby is asked about the key to recruiting, he gives a pretty simple answer.
"Tradition," said Gorby, who also serves as YSU's cross country coach. "Once you get tradition, then it's just a matter of staying on top."
Easier said than done, of course, but over the past 11 years, Gorby has done an impressive job of bringing in some of the best athletes from across the state.
Local talent helps
That approach has translated into 11 conference titles -- by far the most of any program at YSU -- and local athletes have played a big part.
"We have some strong local talent," he said. "That's not our first goal; we look for the top athletes and go after them. But a lot of them are local. And, of course, the local athletes help make for a stronger team depth-wise."
Of the 31 athletes on the women's track roster, nine are from the tri-county area, including two former state champions. Freshman Lisa Davies, a West Branch High graduate, won the 3200-meter title at last year's state meet. Sophomore Alex Casi (East Palestine) won two state long jump titles.
Of the 27 athletes on the men's roster, eight are from the area, including three former state champions. Junior Adam Lewis (McDonald) was part of the state-winning 4x800 relay as a sophomore. Sophomore Ryan Petrick (Champion) won a state 800 title his senior year. Senior Paul Robinette, a Girard High graduate, was a member of the Indians when they won the team cross country title in 1998.
Other standouts
The Penguins also have plenty of talent outside of the area -- standout distance runners Kurt Michaelis (Holgate) and Emily Schnitkey (Napoleon) are the two most obvious examples -- and Gorby points to the team's success over the last decade as a big reason for their strength in recruiting.
"We've got such a great tradition now, that it really helps us get some great kids," he said. "Everybody wants to be a part of winning."
This year's class is no different.
Gorby still hasn't finalized the list of recruits for next season -- signing day was Thursday -- but he expects to have one of the best recruiting classes in school history.
Favored to win again
The Penguins are also favored to win both the men's and women's Horizon League outdoor titles at the league meet next month.
Needless to say, the future is bright.
"We're powerful all over the place," Gorby said. "I don't see any reason why we can't win 20 to 25 more titles over the next five years."
scalzo@vindy.com