In his 31st year with the Northern Lehigh cross country program, head coach Dave Oertner will have a good chance of surpassing an impressive milestone today.

Oertner is one victory away from earning his 500th career coaching win with the Northern Lehigh boys' program. That achievement should take place today in Palmerton when the Bulldogs compete in a multi-team Colonial League meet.Oertner holds a 499-199 overall mark with the Bulldogs' boys' team. In addition, he has a 390-283 mark with the girls' program."I knew it was close," Oertner said. "I remember thinking to myself last year that I am close to 500, which is kind of nice for any coach, but I hadn't looked at it since last year and I really didn't think about it."This year, the kids made sure they told me about it. They looked at the stats, so they knew about it. So, they made me aware of it."The knowledge and acknowledgement of his team definitely impressed Oertner."It's kind of neat they care about something like that and they want to be a part of that," Oertner said. "It's a nice feeling. We have a great group of kids. It's nice that they want to do something for you because you do what you can for them."In his first 11 years with the program, Oertner watched his Bulldogs compete in the Centennial League. He was 177-150 with the boys and 132-71 with the girls during that time.Since 1994, when Northern Lehigh joined the Colonial League, Oertner's boys teams have compiled a 322-149 mark and the girls are 258-212."To be honest with you, I didn't think I'd still be coaching this long," said Oertner. "That's the big accomplishment to me that I'm still here coaching. Yeah, I have a lot of wins, but I have a lot of losses too. I have been around a long time."It's tough coaching this long because there are a lot of factors that can drive you out, but it's the kids that keep bringing me back."Oertner has seen his fair share of up and down seasons. But there have obviously been a lot more 'ups.'During his coaching career, his teams have posted six undefeated seasons (five with the boys, one with the girls). In his 30 years as coach, his boys teams have had winning records 23 times and his girls teams 20 times."I have had some really nice memories over the years," Oertner said. "Right now, we're not the strongest team in the league, but we have some nice young kids who are going to get better. Sometimes the climb up is better then when you're on top. When you're on top, you feel a lot of pressure."On you way up, it's a lot of fun. And, that's where we're at right now. I think we're on the way back up with our boys, although our girls program is hurting for numbers."The "thrill of the climb" has Oertner already thinking about year 32 in charge of the Bulldog cross country program.."The kids are running to their potential and that's what I'm looking for them to do," said Oertner. "I enjoy working with them. I really do."I don't know how much longer I will last. I am getting close. But, I'm still here and as of now I'm coming back next year. Then, we'll keep going one year at a time. But, I enjoy doing this. This is relaxing."*******70-SOMETHING ..... The Marian golf team is enjoying an outstanding season.The Colts are 12-1 overall and 9-0 in Schuylkill League play. They are also currently first in the District 11 Class AA team rankings.Marian's strong start has been due to outstanding balance in its lineup. The Colts have had three different players (Mike Gottstein, Josh Green and Mark Postupack) grab medalist honors this season.Probably the best indication of Marian's balance, however, is the fact that six different players (Gottstein, Green and Mark Postupack, Chris Postupack, Eric Mason, Nick Kweder) have shot at least one round in the 70s and in six of its 13 matches, Marian's entire four-person line-up has been in the 70s. The Colts accomplished that feat against Nativity (8/16); Mahanoy Area (8/23); Nativity (8/29); Pine Grove (9/5); Williams Valley (9/12); and Mahanoy Area (9/13).Marian also set a school record in the Aug. 29 match against Nativity with a 295 team score, breaking the previous mark of 296.*******THURSDAY THRILLERS ..... A few days ago, there were several 2-1 scores that popped up across the TIMES NEWS area in soccer and field hockey action. Some of the games were decided in regulation while the others needed an extra period to determine the winner.Tamaqua's Giovanni Passalacqua, Northern Lehigh's Lauren Zellner, Palmerton's Morgan Mummey and Pleasant Valley's Diana Connor turned out to be the stars as they stepped up to provide the decisive scores to put their respective teams over the top.With 6:04 left in overtime against Blue Mountain, Passalacqua provided the game-winning goal to lift the Blue Raiders to a 2-1 boys soccer victory. Meanwhile, Connor provided a second half goal to help the Bears post a girls soccer victory over Pocono Mountain West.In field hockey action, Zellner's goal with 4:27 left in the second half gave the Bulldogs a Colonial League win over Catasauqua. Palmerton's Mummey was able to push the game-winning goal to the back of the Pen Argyl cage with 1:30 left in the first overtime, giving the Bombers to a 2-1 win.*******STRONG SCHUYLKILL START .... The Marian girls volleyball team has been mowing down Schuylkill League competition during the first few weeks of the season.The Fillies started league play with a huge four-game victory over rival Pottsville Nativity and haven't looked back. Marian is now 4-0 in league play having rolled to three-game sweeps of Minersville, Weatherly and Shenandoah in recent action.