You would be hard-pressed to find anyone who hasn’t described Catasauqua head track coach Kyle Rusnock as a primary motivator, one who consistently maintains an upbeat, positive outlook.

Since I have known him, I can honestly say that Rusnock is the master motivator, and he never has had a negative perspective.

Bringing home five medals and finishing 11th as a team - a spot ahead of perennial power Notre Dame - couldn’t have happened to a more-deserving coach. I wasn’t there, but I knew Rusnock, enjoyed, cherished, and treasured every moment from his contingent in Shippensburg.

He finally received a long overdue accomplishment.

Rusnock and his relay foursome captured a well-deserved and long-awaited gold medal in the 4x400 relay at Shippensburg.

It couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy. Rusnock truly is one of life’s good guys and has been a true and dedicated representative of Catasauqua athletics.

During the season, Rusnock would often boast about and gush over his athletes, but you could tell with the inflection in his voice that his evaluations and anecdotes were genuine and heartfelt.

His players will run through the proverbial wall for Rusnock, due to his persistent optimism and encouragement. And through the years, there has been a long line.

“He has been the biggest motivator for me, and I can proudly say that he has always been there for me,” said senior Manny Bolmer. “When I wasn’t necessarily in the right head space, he was always picking me up and telling me that I had the next one.

“That was a great help.”

Added senior Cadeo Estronza, “He’s the biggest motivator on the team. He’s our biggest fan and the best coach.”

Rusnock has made his mark in the Rough Riders’ athletic annals.

He was a 1992 state wrestling champion at 112 pounds, and he took over the head wrestling coach position in 2014 after he was an assistant for 10 seasons. He resigned after a three-year stint, but he is an assistant coach for Northampton’s wrestling program.

In 2013, Rusnock took over the cross county program, and he took the reins of the track program in 2019.

An eighth-grade teacher in the Catasauqua system, Rusnock began to make the most of his recruitment tactics to encourage runners for the following year. He has previous success in his wrestling role. Through the years, there have been numerous Catty athletes whose lives have been influenced by Rusnock.

Over time, Rusnock has never changed his forever positive and upbeat approach and outlook, whether numbers on his teams have been high or low. With Catty being a small school, Rusnock’s teams have been on both ends of the spectrum.

Aside from brightening and enlightening, Rusnock has been a devoted father to sons Gavin and Logan. Along with his wife Kelly, Rusnock was a traveling hockey parent on the weekend, taking their sons for many years to tournaments up and down the Eastern seaboard and sometimes beyond.

Gavin, his oldest, is sophomore goalie at Millersville University, and Logan will complete his sophomore year at Northampton High School and plays baseball, football, and wrestles.

For the better part of 20 years, Rusnock has infused confidence and character into a long stream of Rough Rider athletes. It’s been a simple formula of having athletes realize their potential and staying self-assured on their path. He has managed to affect many lives without the use of a wand or a potion.

Fortunately for Catty, Rusnock still has some miles ahead to weave more of his magic.