Catasauqua head cross country coach Charlie Post recently equated his team's season of success to the once fabled four-minute mile, a barrier once believed no human could break.

"We have accomplished similar achievements this year for our program," said the veteran coach. "Our runners have really benefitted from our summer workout program and they have carried that initiative throughout the season.

"We have had a number of runners hit career milestones this season. Once they thought they couldn't get there, but they worked hard to break some barriers."

Along with their share of personal accolades, Catty has been narrowing the gap of a team goal of 20 wins this season. The Roughies entered this week with 14 wins out of 20 possible matches and have a few matches left to achieve a new mark.

Post believes he team turning point as an overall fifth-place finish from 18 teams at the Northampton Invitational in which they netted a second-place finish among Class AA teams.

"That appeared to be the place where we really turned it around," Post said. "We had a number of runners lower their times and we ran well there."

Senior Tony Brinkley had paced the Roughies all season as he set a new school record of 16.36 at the Northampton race. Fellow senior Kurt Wells finished 18 overall at the invitational and he also posted times of 17:31 and 17:26 in his last two races. Post noted how Wells considerably has lowered his times at the season-opening Moravian Invitational.

Junior Jacob Rusnock has also been improving along the way as he has posted times of18:17 and 18:12 in his last two meets.

Senior Tyler Miller has also excelled this season as he drastically lowered his times in the past two years, notably form 27:41 to 18:32. Fellow senior Zach Miller has also been a key factor in the Roughies' resurgence as Post noted how he recently passed three runners in the final 50 yards to help his team to one-point victories.

"It really has been a true team effort," Post said of his team's performance. "Brinkley has been our star, but we truly have a team of stars this season. We also have a real team of competitors this year and everyone has stepped up their pace.

"It has been very satisfying and really fun so far to be around these guys."

Along with their recent rash of success, Post believes his team still hasn't peaked.

"We're trending right now toward peaking, but we're not there yet," he added. "We're looking forward to our last few meets and then leagues and districts. With this team, there is more to come."

And, in all likelihood, the Roughies will encounter more barrier to break.