Kaycee Shaffer

Martha Rial, Post-Gazette Kaycee Shaffer: Course record at Boyce Park last week. Click photo for larger image.

SCHOOL: West Allegheny

WHO IS SHE? A junior who is off to a fast start in the cross country season.

THE PAST WEEK: Shaffer finished first in a four-team meet Tuesday against Greensburg Salem, Beaver and Pine-Richland. Last Saturday she won the Gateway Invitational at Boyce Park and set a course record with a time of 19 minutes, 3 seconds.

CAREER: Shaffer has been on West Allegheny's varsity since her freshman year and finished 20th at the WPIAL Class AAA championships a year ago.

BEATING THE RECORD: Shaffer's performance at the Gateway Invitational opened many eyes.

"That kind of surprised me because there have been some pretty good girls run on that course over the years," said West Allegheny coach Jim Hamilton. "Plus, I'll tell you right now that we didn't have her go all out, either. We don't want anyone to race all out this early in the season. Considering that, we're pretty optimistic for this season."

BETTER THAN BEFORE: Shaffer was a good runner in the past, but now looks like one of the best in the WPIAL.

"I was really surprised with the Gateway Invitational because I didn't even expect to win," she said. "I didn't know what to expect this year because I wasn't this good last year."

Both Hamilton and Shaffer say the reason for her improvement is training. "I ran more miles this summer than I ever did before," Shaffer said. "Plus, I went to a [weeklong] camp that really got me into shape."

FAMILY ON THE RUN: A few years ago, Shaffer's oldest sister, Lauren, was one of the best runners in the WPIAL. She is now a senior runner at Pitt. Kaycee's other sister, Autumn, is a sophomore runner at Clarion. The Shaffers' mother, Susan, ran track at Hopewell High, and their father, Alan, has run a few marathons. "I ran a few times in the summer with Lauren, but we usually don't train together," Kaycee said. "She's a lot faster than me."

THE OTHER SPORT: Kaycee Shaffer also is a distance runner in track. At the WPIAL Class AAA championships in the spring, she was third in the 1,600-meter run and fourth in the 3,200.

"I think I like track a little better," Shaffer said. "I like doing different events and I like shorter distances a little better."

-- By Mike White

Jordan Thomas

SCHOOL: Jeannette.

WHO IS HE? A 6-foot-1, 195-pound quarterback/free safety.

THE PAST WEEK: Thomas distinguished himself all-around Friday in the Jayhawks' 41-18 nonconference victory against Valley. He was 7-for-7 passing for 117 yards and two touchdowns; ran 37 yards for a score; and had two interceptions, returning one 46 yards for a touchdown.

CAREER: A senior, Thomas has started at quarterback for three seasons, passing for more than 2,500 yards and directing Jeannette to a 24-2 record. Jeannette went 12-1 last year, losing to Aliquippa, 18-4, in the WPIAL Class AA championship game.

This season, Thomas is 12 for 14 for 197 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions; has gained 101 yards on 10 carries; and has scored three touchdowns.

48-MINUTE GUY: Though Thomas also has played defensive back since he was a sophomore, this is his first season as a full-timer in the secondary. "He's going both ways because we need him," said Jeannette coach Bob Murphy. "We try to protect him by keeping him out on defense some."

And, as if starting in two backfields weren't enough ... Thomas also punts, returns punts, holds for extra points and is the backup kicker. "I try to stay on the field as much as I can," he said.

HE'S THE MAN: Speed and strength are two of Thomas' hallmarks. But not the only ones.

"Jordan is just a tremendous leader," Murphy said. "He has a great understanding of the game. He knows everyone's assignment, on offense and defense.

"And he's really hard-nosed. When he takes off and runs, he'll drop a shoulder [into a tackler]. But he also makes people miss."

POINT MAN: Thomas maintains order on the court, too. He has started at point guard in basketball since he was a freshman, and was first-team All-Section 1-AA the past two seasons.

FUTURE: College football is likely ahead for Thomas, who has a 3.5 grade point average. He hasn't gotten a scholarship offer, and schools that have shown interest project him as a defensive back because of his height. But Murphy said, "There's no question in my mind he's a Division I player -- both ways."

-- By Rick Shrum