JEFFERSON TWP — Goals continue to drive Mike Formica, short-term and long-term.

The Knoch senior cross country and track and field standout recently signed a letter of intent to continue his academic and athletic career at Youngstown State University.

He didn't participate in track and field until his freshman year in high school.

“I ran the 400 and 800 meters at first,” Formica said. “I didn't do cross country until my sophomore year and that was just to stay in shape for track season.

“That's when I discovered how much I enjoyed distance running.”

He's been distance running ever since.

Formica won the WPIAL Class AA cross country championship last fall. He is taking aim on Knoch's 800, 1,600 and 3,200-meter records this spring.

“Then I want to become an All-American in college,” he said. “Youngstown's track program is up and coming. They have three freshmen who have broken 14:40 in the 5k already.

“By the time I get there, the (Youngstown State) distance records will probably be held by guys on the team right now. That's the competition I'm looking for.”

Brian Gorby has been YSU's track coach for 25 years. His teams have won 17 Horizon League men's track and field titles. Between cross country, men's and women's track, Gorby has won 35 Coach of the Year awards.

He has coached 14 All-Americans and 26 national qualifiers.

Formica plans to major in exercise science or nutrition at Youngstown State. He plans to pursue a career as a personal trainer or nutritionist.

He also considered Pitt, Duquesne and Louisville before choosing Youngstown State.

“Mike's a special kid,” Knoch cross country and track coach Wess Brahler said. “He's put in the work and that's why he's having success.

“He does all of the little things he needs to do to improve.”

That includes a lot of running on his own.

“His parents are very supportive that way,” Brahler said. “At times, his mother or father will ride alongside him on a bike.”

His mother, Amy Formica, is in her first year as Knoch's head girls track coach.

Formica estimates he runs 55 to 60 miles per week on his own, “but I taper off during the postseason,” he said.

This postseason, he is taking aim on the state championship in the 1,600 meters.

“That's the event I'm most comfortable with,” Formica said. “I'd love to cap my high school career with a state title.”

Brian Tackett set Knoch's 800-meter record of 1:57.03 in 2008. Kevin Doyle set the 1,600 record of 4:19 in 1998 and the 3,200 mark of 9:36.50 in 1997.

Formica's personal-best indoor times have already beaten all of those marks.

“We didn't have an (outdoor) season last spring and I didn't run those events my sophomore year,” Formica pointed out. “So I don't have any previous outdoor times to compare. I'm just going after it.

“When I'm in college, I'm probably going to focus on the 5k. I feel I'm more productive, the longer the race.”

Brahler won't sell Formica short on any of his goals.

“From the time everything was shut down, even before, Mike has never stopped working,” the coach said. “He ran all winter in indoor meets at Youngstown State. That's become a second home to him.

“He's going to do great things there.”

Formica joined three other top WPIAL runners in entering the 3,200-meter relay at the Adidas Track and Field Nationals in Virginia Beach this past winter. He ran the fastest leg of the day and his team took the silver medal.

Formica also placed seventh in in the 1,600 meters at indoor nationals, breaking his own school record. He finished the indoor season ranked No. 2 in the state in the 1,600 and No. 3 in the 3,200.

“That's where he's at,” Brahler said. “He has a chance to be the best.”