During his freshman and sophomore years, Ty Reitz wasn’t thinking about a future career in track.

However, that changed when he hurt his arm in baseball.

“I threw out my arm,” said the Catasauqua senior. I couldn’t throw like I wanted to. I pitched a lot in the CYAA. When I went into my sophomore year, I was pitching and playing left field. I also played some shortstop.”

Last season before the pandemic shut down the spring season, Reitz had decided to give track a try. Reitz did run cross country during his freshman and sophomore years, but he decided to stop running.

Reitz was running the 200 and the 4X100 in practice last year, and he took the same initiative this season.

His best time in the 200 has been 24.1, and he was 16th in the league preliminaries in the event.

Head coach Kyle Rusnock has watched Reitz steadily progress this season.

“Ty has been a fantastic athlete for the team,” noted Rusnock. “He has been a great competitor and has improved each week.

“Ty put himself in a good position for the postseason.”

Reitz has run the 100 this season, but his 6-4 frame hasn’t benefited him in the event.

“I have done the 100 a couple of times, but I got long legs,” he stated. ‘It takes me a while to get going.

“I feel like I have been getting better every time out there.”

Reitz recently completed a four-year basketball career, a sport he has played since he was young.

He credited head coach Eric Snyder for helping move his athletic career forward.

“Coach Snyder always has had faith in me, and he pushed me,” said Reitz. “He believed in me and helped me go forward with my other sports.

“Coach Rusnock also has been a coach who has inspired me.”

Reitz plans to enter the working world after graduation and plans to pursue a career in restructuring and refurbishing kitchen cabinetry. He would like to possibly coach baseball in the future.

Still, Reitz believes he made the right choice with track.

“I have been running pretty good,” added Reitz. “ I have been happy with what I have done with track. I wished I could have ran last year.

“It has been a fun time.”