At a recent indoor track meet at Youngstown State, senior Anthony DiCesaro set a school record of 7.2 seconds in the 60-meter dash. 

DiCesaro had been discouraged after posting times of 7.3 seconds in the event for weeks. But setting the new school record boosted his confidence. 

“I had a lot of relief knowing that I was doing stuff right. Getting such a big margin of PR is a great accomplishment,” DiCesaro said. 

In addition to indoor and outdoor track, DiCesaro also participates in soccer, football, lacrosse, and kart races for SCCA Sports Cars of America as well as the Pitt Race Karting Series.  

He took up multiple sports after the COVID-19 outbreak and quarantine. During the lockdown, DiCesaro put on weight due to a lack of activity and motivation. 

“I didn’t like the way I looked, especially when we got back to school,” DiCesaro said. “I signed up for as many sports as I could.” 

Playing sports helps people stay agile and gets the body moving to stay in shape, DiCesaro said. 

“It was hard to stick with it, especially during sophomore year. But eventually I got good at my sports,” DiCesaro said. “They taught me discipline and how to not quit.” 

Transitioning between his sports has been a challenge, considering the different styles of running required in each sport, DiCesaro said. 

“Formalizing how you run and how you train is different for each sport,” DiCesaro said. “For some, you have to be on your toes, while for others a lot of flat-footed running is needed.”

History teacher Chris Reilsono commends DiCesaro for his versatility. 

“Anthony is an incredibly dynamic athlete, which is why he has the versatility to thrive in many athletic settings – from the soccer field, to the football field, to the racetrack, and the track,” Reilsono said. “He has evolved to become the person he is today both as an athlete and as a person through hard work, perseverance, dedication, and above all else, heart.”

Competing in the 60m, 200m, and 4x200m events encourages DiCesaro to keep consistency in his training. 

“I put more focus on the flaws in my running and try to fine-tune them,” DiCesaro said. “There’s no use in paying attention to the things I’m good at, but instead things I can work on.” 

Track teammate Mackenzie Bowen credits DiCesaro’s constant hard work. 

“He works hard and PR’s consistently,” Bowen said. “Over the years, he has grown as a runner and pushed himself to be a crucial part of our team.” 

Track and soccer teammate junior Zach Lieu is inspired by DiCesaro’s efforts, even in the off season. 

“He has inspired me to put in more work in the off season because of his progress,” Lieu said. “Since he can work in the off season, he inspires others to as well.”

DiCesaro is always ready to help the track team, Lieu said.

“He encourages others and steps in on relays when we don’t have spots,” Lieu said. “He makes sure that the team can compete.”

The indoor track season has been successful overall, with help from new sprinting coach Jeremy McCullough, DiCesaro said. 

“He’s been great. He coached football at Duquesne for weight training and understands how dynamics work,” DiCesaro said. 

DiCesaro looks to continue his streak of setting records during the upcoming outdoor track season and get into the 10-second time range in the 100 meter race. 

“I want to get recruited by a D1 school, and it’s what I look to when I practice hard,” DiCesaro said. 

Track teammate senior Andrew Winschel thinks that after having such a large impact on sports at Baldwin, DiCesaro will continue to grow in college athletics.

“He’s already setting records,” Winschel said. “And he’s just in high school now.”

Winschel can see how DiCesaro’s goal to go to a D1 school motivates him.

“You can tell he wants to succeed,” Winschel said. “He doesn’t just work during practice – he runs on his own too. He’s pretty focused on improving his times and technique.”

Track and soccer teammate junior Jackson Presto sees DiCesaro’s speed in both sports.

“He works really hard and is serious, but keeps a good attitude with the team,” Presto said. 

But despite how seriously he takes meets, Presto said that DiCesaro always has a positive outlook and good attitude while running. 

“He usually stretches before the meets start,” Presto said. “But when it’s time to run, Anthony is always ready.”