For a few reasons, Catasauqua's Anthony Brinkley will always remember winning a state medal in the 800 this past spring.

Brinkley knew he didn't feel well, but didn't realize he had a case of bronchitis.

"The next day, I went to the doctor and he asked me what I did yesterday," Brinkley recalled. "When I told him, he couldn't believe it. He couldn't believe that I ran with bronchitis. Winning the medal was a highlight of my career and it will certainly be memorable."

A series of memorable moments highlighted Brinkley's senior career and helped him win the Catasauqua Press's Athlete of the Year award.

"This is such a great honor," stated Brinkley about the award. "There were a number of other athletes who could have won this award. That makes it extra special to me."

Brinkley also has recently realized his Catasauqua career came to an end. It was a career that certainly had a mercurial rise over the past four years. Brinkley began playing basketball in seventh grade and didn't begin running until his freshman year when he abandoned a potential football career.

"I remember being in (cross country head coach) Mr. (Charlie) Post's English class during my freshman year and him telling me that I look more like a runner than a football player," remembered Brinkley. "Coach Post was always there for me. I used to go to his class when I had a study hall and if he had a free period, we would talk for quite some time. I will truly miss him."

Post will also miss one of his premier runners.

"He (Brinkley) was one of the hardest workers I had," stressed Post. "He progressed every year until he really blossomed his senior year. He will certainly be missed."

This past year, Brinkley set two new school records in cross country - ones that were set in the 1970s - and won a gold medal in the 800 at the Colonial League Track meet. In basketball, Brinkley played his first full year on the varsity level - he came off the bench his junior year and scored 308 to help gain him second team Colonial league honors.

"I was really happy with the basketball season," said Brinkley. "I didn't play varsity last season and this was special. We had a great year and we all jelled. We were a step away from a district championship and not many people thought we would get that far."

"Anthony really had a big season for us," head basketball coach Eric Snyder. "He worked very hard and really made progress from his junior to senior season. He had a lot of layups because he was always moving."

Brinkley also has been grateful for the constant support of his family. Parents Sue and Dan, sister Brianna, grandparents Ken and Carol Holmes and uncle Scott Holmes nearly have attended every game. He attributes his running talents to his mother, who was a member of the cross country and track programs while she was a student at Catasauqua.

"My mother got me interested in running," said Brinkley. "My father and grandfather always have been big basketball fans. But my family is my biggest supporters. They have been at everything from scrimmages to state meets. They have truly been an inspiration."

Brinkley plans to attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania next fall and to pursue a career in early childhood education. While at Catasauqua, Brinkley was the vice president of Varsity C, co-fundraising advisor for Student Council, and a member of SADD. He also was the captain of all three of his sports teams.

His college major was discovered when he ventured down to the Scheckler School and soon discovered a future profession.

"It was during my sophomore year that I knew I wanted to be in early childhood education," he said. "I have helped teachers out down there and know it will be a good fit for me."

Over the past four years, Brinkley was certainly a good fit for Catty.