It's a good thing Shane Sarver loves running.

The Freeport senior has done a lot of it the past several months and has a lot of success to show for it.

Sarver will be competing in today's WPIAL Class AA Track and Field Championships at South Side Beaver High School in the 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs and as a member of the 3,200 relay.

Sarver placed second in the 3,200 at last Wednesday's Northern Qualifier with a time of 9 minutes, 55 seconds and third in the 1,600 (4:38.0) while the relay team won the qualifier with a time of 8:24.5.

"We expected him to have a strong year," said Freeport cross country coach Bob Livrone, who also coaches the distance teams on the track squads. "He's been lifting weights all winter. He ran cross country and ran all winter.

"We've been looking for big things," he added.

Sarver already has set two school records this season. His 4:27.0 in the 1,600 eclipsed Scott Camerlo's 1979 standard and a 9:44.6 in the 3,200 broke Randy Arvay's 1989 mark.

Both times also are the best in the Butler County area this season.

"Those were definitely my big goals for the season," said Sarver. "My goal coming into my freshman year was the 3,200 record, but the 1,600 wasn't until my senior year.

"My speed has always been questionable and you have to kick in the 1,600, he added.

"He's just a good kid," said Yellowjackets head coach Bill Dillen. "He worked hard in the off-season, lifted weights and got on a roll early."

Sarver had a forgettable year as a junior when, during the winter between cross country and track, he had a case of appendicitis that slowed him during the spring.

He started running for cross country back in June and had a phenomenal season, placing fourth at the WPIAL Class and 13th at the PIAA finals.

"This year I tried to build strength in my legs, but just enough to help with my speed," said Sarver.

Sarver, who will run at Duquesne University next season, also has benefited from the expertise of his sister Jessica, who was a star at Freeport and Penn State-Behrend, where graduated from this month.

"When I saw her running as an eighth grader, she was a senior," said Sarver. "She went to states and I went with her. She's been a big influence on me."

Sarver will run the 1,600, 3,200 and the 3,200 relay with Brendan Reilly, Mike Delibero and Ian Kaminski at today's WPIAL finals and will decide afterwards which races he will run at states.

"Shane's very devoted to cross country and track and field," said Livrone. "He gave up basketball but he does play palomino baseball in the summer.

"He just loves to run," Livrone added.