Chad Radgowski will have more than just an NCAA berth in mind as he competes in the NCAA Mideast Regional this weekend in Columbia, Mo.

A South Park High School graduate currently attending Louisiana State University, he will be thinking about three girls when he competes in the javelin competition. Radgowski, a sophomore, will be distracted by another meet taking place at Shippensburg University this weekend.

"I think we are throwing on the same day," said Radgowski, referring to his sister, Connor, a sophomore at South Park who is entered in the PIAA Class AA girls' javelin competition. "I'm so proud of that girl. I wish I could be there to watch her, but I will be in contact via cell phone all weekend."

Radgowski is thrilled that his sister won a WPIAL Class AA girls' javelin title in just her sophomore year, but also is concerned with the performance of other South Park performers.

"We had five throwers at the WPIAL Class AA meet and four qualified for states," said South Park coach Chuck Villa. "Chad played a big part in their success. He's kept in touch with me and our various throwers all season, passing on advice through cell phone calls and e-mails. It's like having another coach in Louisiana."

The other three South Park throwers who will join Connor Radgowski at Shippensburg University this weekend are Jackie Carver, Malaika Atte, and Rodi Vis. Carver placed third in the WPIAL in the girls' javelin, while Atte placed third in the discus. Vis placed fourth in the boys' javelin.

"Chad doesn't just think of himself," said Villa, who is taking 11 South Park athletes to Shippensburg. "He's always willing to help one of our throwers. You can't get a better coach than somebody who is ranked nationally."

Radgowski is ranked No. 3 in the country by Trackshark.com after winning the Southeast Conference title on May 12. His throw of 239 feet, 8 inches was a personal best and ranks second in LSU history, behind Mikael Olander, who recorded a toss of 247-11 in 1987.

"There are four regional tournaments and the top five from each region qualify for the NCAA championships [June 6-9 in Sacramento, Calif.]," said Radgowski. "The Southeast Region is clearly the strongest, as seven of the top 10-ranked throwers are in our region."

Radgowski may be ranked third, but he's less than one foot behind Justin Ryncavage, a North Carolina senior at 240-6. Penn State senior Allen Pettner is second with a throw of 239-9, which set a Big Ten Conference record.

"When I was going through the recruiting process, my final two choices were LSU and North Carolina," said Radgowski. "Ironically, Justin Ryncavage was one of my guides when I made my visit to Chapel Hill. He's a stand-up guy who is soft spoken. I'm looking forward to facing him this weekend, and hopefully next weekend in the NCAA championships."

Radgowski fell short of an NCAA berth in his freshman season, as he finished seventh in the Mideast Regional with a season-best throw of 211-1. Since then, he has improved his career best throw by almost 30 feet.

"It was my first time away from home and I got caught up in the college lifestyle," said Radgowski, when asked about his significant improvement since last year. "I was spending two or three nights a week out drinking ... and looking for the chicks.

"Then something happened over the summer that made me rethink my priorities. I had a friend suffer a serious accident one night when he was drunk. It made me think, that could have been me. It's been almost seven months since I had a drink."

Radgowski said his new commitment to academics and athletics cost him a few friends.

"I lost a few friends when I stopped drinking," said Radgowski. "But those friends are not worth keeping if they can't understand my commitment to training. It showed me who my true friends are."

Radgowski won three WPIAL titles and two PIAA crowns while attending South Park. He had a PIAA best his junior year with 213-9 at the WPIAL Southern qualifier.

"My goal is eventually to qualify for the Olympics," said Radgowski. "I just have to keep working hard and, God willing, I'll be an Olympian."

Villa said Radgowski will one day compete in the Olympics.

"Chad is a rare breed," said Villa. "He threw the javelin and discus for us, and also competed in the triple jump and long jump. There are not many kids who attempt that combination. He is so talented, he could have been a decathlete."