There are plenty of runners who have the physical tools to do well in the 400-meter dash but don't realize their potential because the race is more a mind-over-matter event.

The 400 beats a body up. It's after-effects are painful and the reason many runners avoid the race. It's not unusual to see spent individuals throwing up on the infield after an all-out sprint around a track.

There are, however, a select few who can handle the pain the 400 produces. They understand how to run the race and that sore muscles are just a given.

Mt. Lebanon High School junior Evan Schardt has learned that running an outstanding time in the 400 comes with a price.

"Last year was my first year running track and when I did the 400, it was a pretty painful experience," he said. "This year has been much better."

His legs and lungs still hurt when he finishes a 400, but opponents are usually the ones with the pained looks ... especially when they see Schardt's time.

He has developed into one of the top 400-meter runners in the WPIAL. The favorite to win the WPIAL Class AAA title is Penn Hills senior Brandon Bailey, who ran the 400 in a meet-record 48.28 seconds at the Butler Invitational two weeks ago. Schardt was second with a solid time of 49.51.

"He's been under 50 [second] seven or eight times this season," Mt. Lebanon coach Mike Agostinella said. "We're excited about what he might do this year and next year. When you look at him, he's the total package."

Agostinella was referring to Schardt's physical components. He is tall, about 6 feet 1, with a powerful build and long legs that cover a lot of ground. He also has natural speed and has also run the 200-meter dash for the Blue Devils.

He enjoys running the 200 because ... "It's quick and you don't have to think about it," he said.

Last season he ran the 100 and 200 most of the time, then Agostinella asked him to give the 400 a try.

Schardt's goal coming into the season was to break 50 seconds in the 400, which he did handily at the Butler meet.

"I think the 400 is his race because he's got that competitive desire and he's willing to pay the price," Agostinella said.

Schardt developed his speed as a midfielder in soccer, although he was used on defense by Mt. Lebanon in the fall.

"You run the whole game as a midfielder ... you just get used to it," he said of his soccer ability. "I wasn't that fast as a freshman and that's why I didn't run track. But in my sophomore year I developed some speed and guys on the [soccer] team said I should give track a try and I went out for it."

Not only did he run track for the Blue Devils last spring, he competed in indoor track this past winter. At the Tri-State Track Coaches Association indoor championships Feb. 14 at Slippery Rock University, Schardt finished sixth in the 200 in 24.08 seconds and was third in the 400 in 52.32.

At the TSTCA outdoor championships March 28 at West Mifflin High School, Schardt was second to Bailey in the 400 and helped the Mt. Lebanon 1,600-meter relay to a second-place finish. He also anchored the Blue Devils' 1,600 relay to a second behind Penn Hills at the Butler Invitational.

Then at the Jaguar Invitational this past weekend at Thomas Jefferson High School, he helped Mt. Lebanon capture the boys' team title. The Blue Devils edged Central Catholic, 105-104, and won the final running event of the day, the 1,600-meter relay with Schardt running the anchor leg. He also placed second in the 400.

His plan for running the 400 is simple: "To just catch the people in front of me and once I'm in front, to stay in front."

Schardt said he has hit "the wall" while running the 400. That's the point in the race where every leg muscle hurts and it feels as if there is a big hand holding back the runner.

"But that's where the adrenalin gets going," he said. "That's where, with 100 meters left, you've got to maintain it ... and if there's a guy in front of you, you've got to go get them."