Beaver Falls junior stays on the run
Perretta out to retain his titles . . . and more
Domenic Perretta loves to run. Beaver Falls head track coach St. Clair Williams said even after practice or mandatory workouts he can be seen running throughout the Beaver County community much like Tom Hanks' Forrest Gump character, who decided one day he just wanted to run and didn't stop for more than three years in the 1994 hit film.
“I go to practice the next day or after the weekend and guys will tell me they seen him running later on in the day,” Williams said.
“We actually have to get on him to stop.”
OK, so Perretta might not run 19,000-plus miles at one time like the mythical Gump did, but this speedy junior is the reigning WPIAL and PIAA Class AA champ in the 800- and 1,600-meter runs, and has his sights set on state records this year.
“We definitely believe that's attainable,” Williams said. “He wants it all. He wants to be the best.”
Perretta won the 800 with a mark of 1:54.01, just a shade more than two seconds off the PIAA record of 1:51.96 set in 1987. His winning time of 4:19.82 in the mile is more than 15 seconds higher, though, but all that difference does is motivate him, according to Williams.
“That's probably the one thing that's pushing him,” Williams said. “He'd have to lose [more than] 14 seconds [off his best time in the 1,600].”
As much as the times and victories had to do with natural physical ability, Perretta had to first realize he was worthy to be in the conversation with the state's top runners, which only really sunk in last year, Williams said.
“As a freshman, he didn't know if he belonged in that elite group of runners,” Williams said. “Last year, the whole season was a build-up because everywhere he went he was amazed that other guys knew who he was.
”I think by the time we got to the state meet he kind of realized that he can be pretty darn good.“
Williams pointed out that some newspaper naysayers added some extra tinder to Perretta's already competitive fire, and the success of his sophomore year hasn't changed his work ethic or drive.
”He read a couple articles from different reporters that said they don't think he's going to get much better. Those kind of comments drive him to prove them wrong,” Williams said.
“It's amazing because all of the attention that he has received, he's still grounded. He'll never miss practice. He's still good to go.”
Although the metric half-mile and mile are his best events, obviously, Williams plans on testing Perretta in 400 during the early part of this season, and may have him run a leg in a relay, but Perretta hasn't recorded any official times in those events yet.
Williams compares coaching an athlete with the ability and determination of Perretta to driving a new car, it's an exciting experience.
“He's definitely the first athlete of his caliber that I've been blessed to coach. It's pretty much learning as you go,” Williams said.
“It's like driving a brand new car. You don't want to drive it too fast. You don't want to wreck the car. We're pretty much learning.”
But much like a new sports care or good ole Forrest Gump, for that matter, there is one thing that won't change.
“He's still the same speed — fast.”