The athletic program at Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School is undergoing a $250,000 expansion beginning this spring.

New facilities include two regulation practice fields, competitive playing fields for baseball, softball, lacrosse, soccer, and a cross country course all on the 70-plus acre campus.

New sports to be added include track and field, girls tennis, girls and boys golf, wrestling, swimming, and girls lacrosse.

“We continue to grow, and our students and families are asking for these facilities. They love sports and want to be able to practice and compete here on our campus. We are excited to add new fields and new teams,” said Dr. Ann Gaudino, principal.

North Catholic has a long tradition of excellent sport programs, winning 22 WPIAL and 8 state titles since 1979 alone.

Students already compete in football, girls and boys basketball, soccer, lacrosse, tennis, swimming, cheerleading, volleyball, and cross country.

“North has been competing off campus for many years. We’re excited to be moving our games and competitions right here to our Cranberry campus,” said Gaudino.

The only sport that will compete off site is football, although the school looks to build a stadium in the future.

Gaudino said, “We’ve had a great first year here in our new building. The classrooms and technology are state of the art and our staff, faculty, and curriculum are second to none. As our enrollment grows, we look forward to expanding our programs even more to serve our students.”

North Catholic was founded in 1939 in the rich educational tradition of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh and the Marianist Charism. It welcomes students from various communities and faith experiences.

Its mission is the formation of Christ-centered young adults who are leaders in their communities, known by the intellectual, practical, ethical and human skills. It provides academic excellence in the context of Gospel values.

It sends its graduates into the future with a world vision that recognizes the dignity of every human life, the need to pursue justice and the service of others.

This article was submitted by Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School.