High school track and field serves as the perfect platform for athletes adept at doing more than one thing.

Some partake in multiple running events. Others do a bit of cross training and, for example, compete in both jumping and throwing competitions.

But for Pine-Richland track standout Katie Wise, the art of multi-tasking has taken on a much different meaning.

"Katie has basically been our cheerleader, our recruiter, our partial coach ... I don't think there's anything she hasn't done," Pine-Richland girls' track coach Don Thomas said.

It's that type of versatility that has not only helped Wise excel at track and become a favorite of her teammates, but has also made her one of the top all-around junior athletes in the WPIAL.

Wise's impressive background of athletic success speaks for itself. In addition to shining in the triple jump and long jump, Wise also has achieved quite a bit in both soccer and basketball. A three-year starter and all-state defender in soccer, Wise helped Pine-Richland win a pair of WPIAL championships and a PIAA championship. In basketball, Wise is a three-year letter-winner and two-year starter.

Thomas considers Wise one of the finest athletes he has seen in 21 years of coaching the Rams.

"We've had some great athletes, but none have been as versatile as she is," he said. "And she's been the best jumper that's come along since I've been here."

Wise, who said, "Whatever season I'm in, I like that sport the best," has to be having a blast in what is becoming an excellent track campaign.

Heading into the Mars Invitational on April 23, Wise was already doing well, but her performance that evening raised the bar even a few notches higher. Wise jumped 36 feet, 4 inches in the triple jump and 17-7 in the long jump, earning first-place in both while also nabbing field MVP honors.

Not only were both marks personal bests and among the best in the WPIAL this season, but each would have been good enough to take win WPIAL Class AAA championships last year.

Said Wise, "It was nice because the past few years I've kind of been hurt and really haven't had the chance to show what I can do."

Injuries impeded Wise's track fortunes the past two seasons, some of which were caused by her possibly doing a bit too much. During track season, she would often have practices for several different sports on the same day. When taking into account her slight stature -- a thin 5-foot-5 -- the heavy workload began to wear her body down at the key part of the season.

But Wise has lessened that load this season, and her legs have become much stronger. Also helping Wise is the fact she is getting pushed in practice everyday by a pair of teammates -- junior Carolyn Steger and freshman Stacey Weismann -- whose jumps typically aren't too far off of Wise's.

Assistant coach Bill Florian, who coaches the Pine-Richland jumpers, has also played a big role with his tutelage.

But as much as Wise is getting pushed by her teammates and coaches, it may not be as much as the boost of motivation she feels within herself to reach the PIAA championships. At last season's WPIAL championships, Wise finished in fifth place in the triple jump with a jump of 35-6 1/4, which placed her just a bit short of the state qualifying standard, 36-6.

"Since then, I think she was like, 'That won't happen again,'" Thoma said. "I think that's a motivation for a lot of things that have happened this year."

With that in mind, her chances of qualifying for the state championships and making a big impact at the WPIAL meet appear to be excellent.

"It's just a matter of peaking," Wise said. "My coach says if I keep jumping the way I am, he doesn't think I'll have a problem."