CRANBERRY TWP — They're a track team without a track.

A field team without jumping pits.

But the North Catholic boys and girls track and field teams manage to find a way.

That includes coach Stacy Kopchak plotting out a 400-meter oval in the school parking lot.

“From time to time we get on Pine-Richland's track and Robert Morris' track,” Kopchak said. “But it's very limited.”

It's been a challenge for the athletes, who have to make due in practice running circles in a parking lot.

Not ideal.

“It's been pretty difficult,” said Cranberry Township resident and North Catholic senior Sam Mager. “Our coach marks stuff off in the parking lot. It's really hard for us in the relays because we don't have exchange zones.”

To combat that, sometimes members of the relay teams convene at a track in the area to get the all-important exchanges down.

“We always have to coordinate it with our schedules,” Mager said. “It's important to get that work done.”

Mager will be at Shippensburg for the PIAA Track and Field Championships in Class AA that begin Friday in two events.

He qualified in the 400-meter run and as part of the 400-meter relay for the Trojans.

Mager is not alone. Many of his teammates will be at the state meet as well, including Tyree Brown, John Sommers and Joe Kearney on the relay.

Kearney is also going as a WPIAL champion in the long jump.

Trevor Paschall qualified in the 200 and Emma McDonald in the girls 3200.

Not bad for a program that has to overcome adversity during the season.

“It's amazing,” Kopchak said. “Each year, we're sending more and more. It's a great group of kids.”

For Mager and his teammates, it gives reaching the state meet added meaning.

“I think it is pretty satisfying,” Mager said. “It makes it even more special.”