ADAMS TWP - When she instructs the next generation of Freeport track athletes, the words that come out of Linsey Westerman's mouth are eerily familiar.

They sound a lot like the things Freeport coach Bill Dillen uttered to her when she was winning events as a Yellowjacket hurdler years ago.

"You know how they say you'll sound just like your mom?" Westerman said. "I sound like Mr. Dillen."

That's not a bad person to sound like, and Westerman is trying to glean as much information as she can from her former coach and current mentor.

"He knows his stuff," she said.

Westerman is a volunteer assistant track and field coach for Freeport this season. She graduated from Slippery Rock University in 2003 and is working as a substitute teacher in the Freeport school district.

Coaching track is something Westerman has always hoped to do. Doing it at Freeport has made it all the more satisfying.

It's been satisfying for Dillen, too.

"She's a good kid," Dillen said. "She's a role model and the kids know her. We're trying to get her to learn all the events, not just the hurdles."

And when Westerman talks, the Freeport track athletes certainly listen.

And why not? Westerman excelled at Slippery Rock University, earning All-American status in the 100 and 400 hurdles and won six PIAA medals during her high school career, including the gold in the 300 hurdles her senior season.

"They listen," Westerman said. "Boys and girls both. They listen very well. And they work so hard. I've never seen a group work as hard as they have."

Westerman is working hard toward her own goals. One of them is to become a head someday - even if it isn't at Freeport.

"(Dillen) has been telling me to hang around," Westerman said, "so in five, six, seven years, when he is done, he can turn it over to me."

Westerman, though, believes she'll get a shot somewhere else before then.

She just hopes it won't be in the same section as Freeport.

"It would be tough," Westerman said.