Specht's work ethic unmatched

Updated: May 2, 2011 11:23PM

Kyela Specht completed the 800-meter run against Highland last week when Munster coach Rick Sluder asked her to run a leg on the 1,600 relay.

Even though the Mustangs’ star had already competed in three events — the 3,200 relay, the mile and the 800 — she jumped at the opportunity and went to grab her spikes.

What happened next seemed par for the course for Specht.

“Kyela went out and ran our second-fastest split of the year,’’ Sluder said. “That just shows her dedication to our team. Some kids might moan and groan if you asked them to do it — maybe even complain — but not Kyela. I’ve just never seen anyone so overly positive about running. She’s just so eager and always ready and anxious to meet the next challenge.’’

Talk about an athlete with an outstanding work ethic.

The Bradley University-bound Specht doesn’t need to be motivated.

“When coach asked me to do that, I figured I might as well,’’ Specht said. “It gives you a little extra workout. It’s an extra lap I can run. It’s something that will hopefully help you later in the season. I know it can’t hurt you.’’

Sluder said Specht’s greatest strength as a runner is her ability to push herself daily.

“She pushes herself as hard as anyone I’ve ever seen,’’ he said. “If you challenge Kyela with something, she’s going to want to do it until she achieves it. I don’t even know if she’s even aware of it, consciously. That’s just her. It’s the work ethic that’s been ingrained in her from her parents.’’

Specht’s mother, Kathleen, played volleyball at St. Joseph’s College, and later served as the head volleyball coach at TF South High School.

Specht’s father, Brian, played tennis at St. Joseph’s. He grew up playing the game under the watchful eye of Kyela’s grandpa, David, who happened to be Brian’s coach at Princeton High School.

“I definitely got my work ethic from my parents,’’ Specht said. “I knew what needed to be done in order to compete at a high level. I listened to their advice.’’

Specht is a two-time state-qualifier in the 800 — finishing 15th and 20th, respectively, the past two years. She also anchored the 3,200 relay team to an eighth-place finish at state.

“I’m hoping to qualify for a third straight time in the 800, and I don’t think there’s any reason why I shouldn’t,’’ Specht said. “I’m hoping for a top nine finish this year.’’

Specht is also working feverishly to help the 3,200 relay team qualify again for state — even though two of the runners who competed last year have graduated.

Specht’s hoping Allison Boyle, the other returning state-qualifier, can help lead the way.

“We’re trying to drop our time every time we run it,’’ she said. “With each competition, we’re dropping it and getting closer to our goal.’’

Specht enjoys running the 1,600 relay, even though it’s not a regular event.

Whether she competes in the postseason will hinge on how tired she’ll be after her other events.

“It’s usually three events, but every once in a while, I’ll be thrown into (the 1,600 relay),’’ she said. “I like it, because it’s different. Instead of pacing myself, I’m pretty much sprinting and I’m done.’’

Sluder loves Specht’s versatility.

“She has such good range,’’ he said. “From the quarter all the way through the two-mile. I could put her in the two-mile and she’d probably even qualify for the regional. She’s just a very talented athlete.’’

Sluder said Specht is working furiously to drop her mile time.

“She wants to be as good as she can,’’ he said. “Her work ethic is equal to — or better than anyone I’ve ever coached. She always says: ‘Ok, let’s go do it.’

“It really doesn’t matter what the day is like — rainy, cold or windy — she’ll go out and get her work done and attack it the best she can.

“You add that to her talent, and you’ve got a great high school runner.’’

Specht is as strong academically as she is athletically.

An Academic All-Northwest Crossroads Conference selection, she carries nearly a 4.0 GPA even with several honors classes. She plans a career in Civil Engineering.

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