Think you could handle a daily schedule that calls for rising at 5:45 a.m. and going to bed at 11:30 p.m.• As a high school student? That's pretty much what four area teenagers face as students at Serra Catholic High School in McKeesport. But you won't hear any complaints from Mike Puskar, 15, of Monongahela; Jeff Smaracheck, 17, of Speers; Josh Werner, 15, of Finleyville; and Tyler Urda, 14, of South Union Township. They've taken on that rigid five-day-a-week routine in their quest for a quality education and because of their passion for hockey. "I'm up every day at 5:45 because I have to catch the bus at 6:25," Werner, the son of John and Joanne Werner said. "It does make for a long day at times, especially when we have practice after school, but you get used to it." Puskar, the son of Rick and Lora Puskar, said he's adjusted to the long days and really doesn't mind it. "Classes are over at 2:30 in the afternoon and then we have practice for an hour or so," Puskar said. "The days can become longer if we have a double practice." In addition to playing for Serra, the boys also compete in the Mon Valley Hockey League. "Then you don't get home until maybe 10 or 10:30 at night. By the time you finish your homework or do some reading, it's 11:30 when you go to bed." Sounds like that doesn't leave much time for television or video games or other social activities most teens enjoy. "It's not really like that," Urda, the son of Tim and Maggie Urda, said. "We actually do have time for social activities. We go to dances or to the mall, just like everyone else. You certainly learn how to manage your time and appreciate what's available to you." One thing Puskar, Urda, Smaracheck and Werner do appreciate is the opportunity to play hockey for the Serra Eagles, a team steeped in a winning tradition. Serra has won three state (Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League) championships and five South Division titles and also has claimed the Penguin Cup, symbolic of western Pennsylvania scholastic supremacy, four times. "That certainly was a factor in my decision to go to Serra," Smaracheck, the son of Don and Carrie Smaracheck, said. "Here's an opportunity to play a sport you love with a team that has a chance of winning a state title. All of Serra's athletic teams, boys and girls, have won championships of some type over the years, so there's a rich heritage of success there. It's a good feeling to be part of that." Smaracheck and the others, however, are quick to point out that hockey, as much as they enjoy the sport, is not their top priority. College is part of the future plans for all four area boys and they're hopeful of landing scholarships. Schools in the Ivy League, Northeast, Big Ten Conference and Midwest traditionally turn out strong college hockey teams. Closer to home, good programs exist at Robert Morris University (Division I), Mercyhurst and California University of Pennsylvania (Division III). The young men are proud of the support of their families. "We're all blessed with good parents, people who really care about what we're doing," Werner said. "They support us in a big way in hockey, but education comes first." "No doubt about that," Puskar said. "If the grades go down, you know the (hockey) sticks are going to get a break too." Which is something the area players and their teammates don't want to happen at this point in a very successful season. Coached by veteran mentor Tom Mooney, Serra owns a 14-0-0 record atop the South Division of the PIHL Class A standings and is ranked No. 1 in Class A. Werner (5-10, 155) and Pushkar (5-10, 155) are freshmen forwards and have played key roles in the Eagles' offensive attack (106 goals before this week's game) with nine points each. Urda (5-10, 165), a freshman defender, has three points on three assists and has helped the stingy Serra defense limit its opponents to only 28 goals. Smaracheck (5-10, 170), a junior, shares goalie duties with Nick Koroly and together they have allowed only 3.2 goals per game. While his friends and teammates see action skating on the ice, Smaracheck enjoys his role protecting the nets. Like Urda, Puskar and Werner, he got his first taste of hockey at an early age. "It was in gym class in the fourth grade," he said. "The next year, I began playing in the Mon Valley Hockey League. I really was just learning to skate when our goalie got hurt and they asked me to go in for him. I guess I had a knack for that position and I've really enjoyed it. I've never had the urge or desire to come out of the nets and play on the ice, although I've become a good skater. People have a misconception about goalies, that they are weak skaters. That's not true." The rest of the Serra cast includes Joey Manning, the team's leading scorer with 48 points, Justin Lubash, Aaron Nolte, Josh Jones, Steve Gruballa, Mike Ellis, Brian Hickey, Raymond Gillis, Phil Ivkovich, Patrick Boehm, Roman Oliver, Matt Radovic and Tanner Catone. The top eight teams from the four Class A divisions will advance to the postseason playoffs, which begin in March. Serra will get a home ice advantage at the outset and open its quest for playoff laurels at Rostraver Gardens in Rostraver Township. Other area schools with teams in the PIHL are Elizabeth Forward in Class AA and Ringgold in the Open Class. The state championship game will be played in Philadelphia, but the Serra skaters are no strangers to traveling. "With the Mon Valley League, high school, and other teams, we've played at places like Johnstown, Niagara Falls, Cleveland, Wheeling and Penn State, to name a few," Urda said. "It can be a grind but we enjoy it. You get a chance to play against quality teams and players from other areas and that gives you a good idea of how you stack up against that kind of competition." The long days and traveling also take their toll on the boys' parents, but they, like their sons, find many positive aspects to the schedule. "There's a great camaraderie among the parents as well as the players," Maggie Urda said. "We've developed very strong friendships. We share driving duties to and from practice and the games and we take turns preparing food for those long trips. Meals at home can become a difficult thing to plan when you're playing games early in the morning or late at night, so you either take food with you or you eat out. I think we've eaten at all of the fast-food restaurants and diners between here and the other side of the state." Something else the parents share is a deep commitment to their sons' education and sport. And financial obligations. Tuition at Serra Catholic is $6,500 a year and there also is a $1,500 hockey fee and a $600 bus fee. Uniforms and equipment, on average, run about $1,000. The school provides only the jerseys and socks, and the parents have to transport their sons to home and away games. "New skates and gloves cost approximately $350," Werner's dad John said. "Sticks go for $100 to $180 and you know you're going to need two or three of those a season." Because her son is a goalie, Carrie Smaracheck's obligation goes a bit further. "Jeff is wearing about $1,800 worth of equipment and uniform when he's in the game," she said. "I think the biggest thing has been skates. These kids grow so much every year, they keep getting bigger and they grow right out of their skates. That's the costliest item for us." Still, John Werner, Carrie Smaracheck and the other parents aren't complaining. "The commitment level has to be there, on the part of the parents as well as the kids," he said. "Sure, a roll of tape costs $5 and a mouthpiece is $12. The whole thing can consume your life at times. It affects your work schedule and, at times, it can take a toll on how you pay your monthly bills. But it's a great investment because of the experiences, in education and sports, that your son is getting." Lora Puskar said the rigid schedule has provided a good dose of discipline for the boys. "There's no hassle getting them up in the morning, even on days when they don't have school or games," she said. "They're used to their schedules and I feel they're better off for it. They're learning great lessons in life." Tim Urda, Tyler's father, probably summed up the feelings of the parents best when he pointed to a sign that hangs at Rostraver Gardens. It reads: "Kids who spend time on the ice never get in hot water."

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