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Ryan's Fratanduono a natural sprinter

Anthony Fratanduono ran the 100 meters for the first time last Saturday at the Bensalem Invitational. The Archbishop Ryan senior didn't use starting blocks. It wasn't a preference or a superstition - he just didn't know how to use them. The first-time sprinter ran 11.1 seconds in the preliminary round.

Anthony Fratanduono ran the 100 meters for the first time last Saturday at the Bensalem Invitational.

The Archbishop Ryan senior didn't use starting blocks. It wasn't a preference or a superstition - he just didn't know how to use them. The first-time sprinter ran 11.1 seconds in the preliminary round.

Before the finals, Fratanduono received a quick lesson on the blocks from coach Ed Ulmer. He responded by breaking Bill Bell's 43-year-old school record with a time of 10.83 seconds.

"He learned how to use the blocks in the middle of the meet," Ulmer said. "It's incredible, he ran that fast. It's based on no experience, but I knew he could run that well. He really lacks experience; he really doesn't know how good he is."

Coach Ulmer always told me I should use blocks because they would help me get a better jump," Fratanduono said. "It's a little bit different, he taught me how to push off hard and I'm really glad he did it."

Fratanduono has never had the time to practice on the blocks.

He spends the majority of his afternoons practicing with the varsity baseball team, for which he is the starting shortstop.

Fratanduono, who just picked up outdoor track this year after a couple of season running indoor to stay in shape for baseball, spends about 20 minutes after school practicing with the track team before heading to the diamond.

Due to his limited practice times in a new sport, Fratanduono doesn't have the opportunity to learn as much about the sport as the athletes he competes against.

Instead of letting his limited practice times breed uncertainty, he uses it for confidence, and tries to capitalize on the short time he is able to give to his track practices as the Penn Relays approach next week.

"I think I could be a little bit faster, I just have to push myself," Fratanduono said. "I'm trying to get ready for states now, I just need to prepare myself mentally and physically. I haven't honestly thought about placing, I just want to run my hardest."

Fratanduono, who is still undecided on college, has considered trying to do both sports at the next level.

"I would love to do both in college," Fratanduono said. "I love both sports, I would have to see but I would definitely be open to that."

For Ulmer, an athlete with a set of capabilities as Fratanduono comes around once in a decade.

"I had a kid like him in 1996 named Sean McGee," Ulmer said. "He is our outdoor record-holder who also played baseball. That kid went full scholarship to St. Joseph's.

"He ran indoor track just to get in shape for baseball, and he was just dynamite, just like Anthony."

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