Catasauqua’s Evan Delong didn’t have to think twice about beginning his track career.

Eric, his father and a Catasauqua grad, went to leagues and districts for the javelin and shot put, and he advanced to states for the shot put. Erica, his older sister, went to leagues and districts for the shot put, and she is a sophomore on the York College track team.

So, the youngest Delong was ready to follow in their footsteps.

“The main reason I started track was because my sister and dad were good throwers in high school,” said Delong. “I not only wanted to carry on the legacy, but also wanted to throw as far as l they did.”

Delong began throwing in middle school, and he knew it was just a matter of time.

“I started throwing in my eighth grade year when my sister was in high school,” said Delong. “ I would go in the backyard and toss around the shot put with my sister and my dad until my freshman year.”

Yet, Delong’s initial experience wasn’t what he expected.

“When I first started throwing, I didn’t have the same experience like I did with other sports,” stated Delong. “It was like I was a four-year-old kid going to my first football practice.

“I was super anxious to get started, especially since it was something new.”

Last year in his freshman season, Delong gradually progressed in both the discus and shot put, and he also played football and basketball.

This season, Dlong’s high marks have been a 142-8 in the discus against Salisbury, and a 43-1 in the shot put against Jim Thorpe.

He worked on some specifics to heighten his mark.

“The main thing I wanted to work on coming into this year was my explosion, finishing my throw to get all the distance I could get with the momentum I built throughout the throw,” said Delong. “My dad has always been like my coach to me with all the training days on the weekend really improved my throws this year.”

Head coach Kyle Rusnock has high aspirations for Delong in the postseason ahead.

“Evan Delong is as good as they come,” boasted Rusnock. “He has put the extra work in to master his craft. He is only a sophomore this year and is throwing great distances and reaching his personal goals.

“Last year he was the top freshman thrower in the league, and this year he is the top sophomore. Evan has qualified for leagues in multiple events this year and will also qualify for districts in multiple events. We are expecting him to do very well and the future is super exciting for Evan. We cannot wait to see him compete.”