Joe Vedilago is preparing to break out on his own and explore the scholastic track and field world. But Vedilago understands that before he does, he had to take care of business at home.

On Saturday afternoon at the Lebanon County Track and Field Championships at Lebanon High, Vedilago kicked off what he hopes will be a very eventful senior postseason by taking home the Outstanding Male Athlete award.

Vedilago, a senior out of Northern Lebanon, rebounded from a close loss to Cedar Crest’s Denzel Pierre in the 100-meter dash by winning the 200- and 400-meter dashes, and by anchoring a Viking quartet which finished as the runner-up in the 400-meter relay. Vedilago has also been a driving force behind the Northern Lebanon boys run to a Lancaster-Lebanon Section Three team title.

Vedilago was also the Outstanding Male Athlete at last year’s Lebanon County meet, and appeared poised to wreak further havoc as the postseason unfolded. But a hamstring injury at the Lancaster-Lebanon League championships two weeks later pretty much ended his campaign, preventing him from competing at the District Three and PIAA Championships at Shippensburg University’s Seth Grove Stadium.

Vedilago, one of the most highly regarded 400-meter sprinters in the state, will certainly be one of the athletes to keep an eye on as the area track and field meets go through their progressions.

 – Jeff Falk