Samantha Carl simply loves running track.

Whether it's competing in a race, cheering on her teammates, or even holding the starting blocks for her teammates, Carl is all about the total track experience.

But as much joy as the sport brings her, Carl can't help but state the obvious.

"Sometimes running around in a circle becomes a little repetitive," she said with a laugh.

While that may be true, it's what Carl does on the track that has her running circles around the competition.

Carl is only a sophomore, but her extensive success early in her high school career has her looking like a well-established veteran. A year after finishing fourth in the 1,600-meter run at the WPIAL Class AAA championships, she is among the top contenders in the event this season.

She owns one of the fastest times in the WPIAL -- 5:12.14 at the Hempfield Invitational -- and looks as if she has only cracked the surface of what she can potentially accomplish.

"She's obviously a very talented young woman with a great work ethic. Put those together and it makes her very special," Mt. Lebanon girls' coach Ken Wentzel said.

How special? Well, consider this: Last Friday at the Pine-Richland Invitational, Carl took a break from the 1,600, choosing instead to run the 800 meters, a race she rarely runs. Not only did Carl take first place, but her time of 2:18.49 was one of the best in the WPIAL this season and one of the fastest times in Mt. Lebanon history, a program that has a storied past of outstanding middle-distance runners. It was just another example of how extremely gifted Carl is.

"Samantha is incredibly versatile," Wentzel said. "I've learned not to be surprised by what she does."

Carl comes from a track family, and when attending one of her meets, that's a fact that becomes evident rather quickly.

Her sister, Mackenzie, is a senior on the team and specializes in the 200 meters. And her father, David, is an assistant coach who instructs the Blue Devils sprinters.

"I guess there's kind of a family business going on here," Carl joked. "[Mackenzie] is always at the finish line whenever I finish, and I'm always there to cheer her on, too. And my dad gives me a lot of support. It's great."

What also is great is Carl's exceptional performances in the 1,600. In addition to her outing at Pine-Richland, she has also shined at other big meets, including a first-place finish at the Tri-State Track Coaches Association championships and a second-place result at the Hempfield Invitational.

Carl qualified for the WPIAL championships by winning the 1,600 at the Southern qualifier Tuesday. She will face a field at the championships in the 1,600 that will be highlighted by Latrobe junior Natalie Bower, the runner-up in the race last year and a three-time WPIAL Class AAA cross country champion. Carl also qualified for the WPIAL finals as a member of the 1,600-meter relay.

"We targeted the 1,600 as a race [Carl] wants to achieve. And we think she's pretty right on," Wentzel said. "We're focusing on running Sam's best race and doing her best. When it comes down to it, if it's good enough, it's good enough. If it's not, it's not."

A significant difference between Carl's aspirations for achieving big things now compared to her freshman year, is her increased maturity, strength and endurance. At this point of the year, Wentzel begins to narrow the amount of events his athletes compete in, and has them focus on the ones they have the best opportunity to qualify in for the WPIAL championships.

But Wentzel and distance coach Ron Schreiner have typically had Carl run no more than two events the entire season, and that limited action has made her stronger and a legitimate threat to extend her success even more.

"I've noticed a difference," said Carl, who is also an outstanding cross country runner.

"I feel pretty relaxed and well-rested. Last year at this time, I was be pretty tired."

Added Wentzel, "She's not fatigued, so we expect her to be very successful and run as well as she can run."