The Seneca Valley High School track team is entering a new era this seasons.

After 32 years as coach, Wayne Roccia retired as a teacher and track coach last year. The team is now under the tutelage of Ray Peaco.

Peaco had served as a Seneca Valley assistant for the past 20 seasons, working mostly with the hurdlers. Because Roccia and Peaco are close friends, don't look for any major changes in the program.

"The only thing that has surprised me has been the organizational part," Peaco said. "I was used to being responsible for 15 kids, maybe 30 at the most. Now, I'm overseeing two hundred and some. You go home and end up doing paper work for an hour or two."

Roccia said last spring that he didn't plan on being a volunteer assistant. He wanted to make a clean break with the program. Peaco understands that decision, but wouldn't be surprised if Roccia shows up at practice a couple of times during the season.

"I think he's decided to stay away. He didn't want to show up and have the kids wondering who was in charge," Peaco said. "But we've talked a couple times already and he's only a phone call away if I have any questions."

-- By Rich Emert