As Calvin Schneck waited to stand atop the podium as the winner in the 800 meters at last week’s EPC/Colonial League Championships, all eyes were fixed on the high jump as Notre Dame’s Greg Lauray cleared a record-setting 7 feet, 1 inch.

Schneck’s turn around the track at the Zephyr Sports Complex may not have elicited as many oohs and aahs, but it did generate an audible outpouring of support from the Whitehall faithful, who watched him set a school record in the process. Schneck now holds the record in the 800, crossing the line in 1:55.65. It was also the fulfillment of a personal goal, one he set for himself before the season began.

“I finally got the school record,” said Schneck. “It took me a little bit, but I got it.”

His win and the accompanying record was a bit tenuous when Schneck realized how fast he circled the track during the first lap.

“I went out as hard as I could, but I felt like I went out a little too hard because I crossed the first lap at .56, and I was a little scared there because I didn’t know if I would be able to finish.”

Schneck said that having the inside lane benefitted him because it allowed him to get out and run his race the entire way.

“That was the plan going in,” said Schneck. “I wasn’t going to worry about anyone else. I was going to run my own race.”

Schneck led wire-to-wire, but Emmaus’ Greg Jaindl was on his shoulder throughout most of the race. Schneck said Jaindl’s presence and the energy from the crowd as he headed down the final straightaway helped propel him to victory.

“I really felt it and it helped me just finish that last lap, and get low enough to get that 1:55 I was shooting for,” said Schneck.

It was Schneck’s first EPC Championship. He finished second last year in the 800. However, he won gold at the Lehigh Valley Conference Championships as a sophomore as part of the 4x800 team.

Getting to the podium had its share of obstacles, something that surfaced early during cross country season. In his first race at DeSales University, the senior felt a twinge in his leg muscle.

“I felt this pain, but I just ran through it and finished the race,” said Schneck.

That pain turned out to be Iliotibial Band Syndrome. It’s a common affliction that hits runners and it affects the fascia, or connective tissue, that connects the hips to the knees. It helps stabilize the knee during running. The pain associated with the injury sidelined Schneck for most of the cross country season, returning at the very end as the postseason commenced. He said he was too out of shape to make any inroads at the league and district meets.

However, his recovery progressed with the aid of physical therapy, and he ran a successful indoor track season.

Schneck said he hasn’t felt pain at all during track, and he hopes that will continue as he pursues his dream to make it to states. However, it has made him appreciate the journey to this point.

Head coach James Sebesta said that the key to Schneck’s success is that he made everyone run his race. Leading from the opening gun and setting the pace put him in control. It set a precedent that should pay dividends down the road.

“Now he has the confidence he can run that race and survive,” said Sebesta.

Sebesta has watched Schneck compete all four years and feels the senior is approaching another level.

“I think his confidence is at an all-time high right now,” said Schneck.

When he steps onto the track again at the District XI Track and Field Championships this week, Schenck said that he has to run the same race. He’ll be facing a tough competitor in Wilson’s Joe Espinal who won all three distance races against the Colonial League competition at the league championships. Espinal also won district gold last year in the 1,600, but Schneck’s record-setting turn in the 800 established a new area mark this season.

“I think if I run the right race, I can beat him,” said Schneck. “I want that district gold medal. That’s the plan.”