Former Highlanders Excel at Saint Francis (Pa.)

Moving from high-school athletics to NCAA Division I is a big step, but Jennifer Haffner and Michael DeLyser are taking it in stride. Now a sophomore and a freshman, respectively, at Saint Francis University in Loretto, Pa., Haffner and DeLyser are continuing the success that they had at in their respective sports.

Haffner earned four varsity letters in track & field at Baldwin and three in cross country. A standout runner, she took third in the 800-meter run at the 2009 WPIAL track & field championships.

Haffner was recruited to go to Saint Francis before the school's head men's and women's cross country/track & field coach took command of the Red Flash, but that coach sure is pleased that he has her and with her performances so far.

"She shows real determination and real grit as a middle-distance runner," Saint Francis Head Coach Gordon Thomson said.

As a freshman, Haffner scored points at both the indoor and the outdoor Northeast Conference track & field championships. She set a personal record of 2 minutes, 16.78 seconds in a preliminary heat of the 800 at the outdoor meet.

Haffner may not be ready for a captain's role yet, Thomson said, but she leads by example despite being an underclassman.

"She's pretty much the glue on our team in that she gets along with everybody," Thomson said. "She's very positive and very focused."

Haffner also competes in cross country for Saint Francis, though she was ill for this past fall's NEC cross country championships.

Baldwin High School has maintained successful cross country and track & field programs for many years, Thomson said, and he sees the programs' discipline instilled in their alumni.

"For me," he said, "she's a real pleasure to coach because she's come from an excellent background at Baldwin High School.

"[Baldwin cross country] Coach Rich Wright really laid a fantastic foundation for me. He's really made my job easier."

Haffner wants to build upon that foundation, setting high goals for herself.

"Hopefully, someday, I'll take first in [a] championship," Haffner said, "but either way, I'll be putting in my all."

Haffner also lettered in volleyball at Baldwin.

DeLyser was a four-year letter winner in volleyball at Baldwin where he earned first-team all-state and first-team all-WPIAL honors for the Highlanders. He also served as a team captain.

Saint Francis men's volleyball Head Coach Mike Rumbaugh became interested in recruiting DeLyser for his excellence on the court and in the classroom. DeLyser is 6 feet 6 inches tall and is described as a "math genius" by Rumbaugh.

As a freshman, DeLyser has seen limited playing time, but Rumbaugh said that he's preparing him for the future.

"The speed of the game is much faster than it was in high school," Rumbaugh said, "and he has to adjust to the speed first."

As one of the team's top middle hitters, DeLyser dresses for home and away matches, and Rumbaugh said that DeLyser pressures opposing teams with his great jump serve.

"I'm proud that I played a bit," DeLyser said. "I did not expect to get any playing time at all because the other players in my position have more experience at this level."

Rumbaugh said that DeLyser has the ability to recognize patterns during a match because of his math skills and will help the team out by taking educated guesses as to where the ball will be hit.

"Everyone works hard on grades," Rumbaugh said, "and the team members get very competitive amongst themselves with grades. So, having Mike there helps keep everyone else's grades up, because they want to beat him."

Whether it's in the classroom or in the gym, DeLyser knows that the smallest effort can make a difference.

"Every little bit I was able to play in high school got me a little bit better each time," DeLyser said. "Since games are sometimes decided by only two points, any extra play I'm able to make could be the difference between a win and a loss."

Saint Francis' men's volleyball team is 3-4 this season. DeLyser has played in four matches and registered a .375 attack percentage. He has recorded two service aces.