Tough Enough? : Servite Receiver Haiduc, Called Too Small by Recruiters, Will Get to Showcase His Speed at Track Meet Tonight

All that Nick-John Haiduc wants is a chance. An opportunity to show a coach that he can play college football.

Haiduc figures he proved himself worthy as a wide receiver at Servite High School. He set the school’s single-game reception record with 15 catches against Edison in a Big Five Conference playoff game as a junior.

He averaged 22.5 yards per reception this past season to lead Orange County receivers. He was the offensive player of the year in the Angelus League, was named to The Times’ all-county first team and was an All-Southern Section selection.

But all the awards and accolades have barely benefited Haiduc. The initial signing date for national letters of intent is less than four weeks away, and thus far not a single Division I school has come calling.

The rap on Haiduc is that he’s too small. The Servite game program lists him at 5-feet 11-inches, but he’s closer to 5-9. Recruiters also say he’s too slow. Haiduc runs a 4.6 in the 40, which is considered fast on the high school level but only average in a college program.

“It’s been very disappointing,” Haiduc said. “I busted my tail this season hoping to get a college scholarship. I was the offensive player of the year in the Angelus League. I made every all-star team.

“But I’m not getting any offers from Division I schools. All I want is a chance to prove myself. Maybe I’m not good enough, but just give me a chance.”

Haiduc will get a chance, of sorts, tonight to prove he is among the elite high school track and field athletes in Southern California. He’s entered in the 500-meter run at the Sunkist Invitational indoor track meet in the Los Angeles Sports Arena.

Haiduc, 17, began running track last season and was the Angelus League champion in the 400 meters, with a best time of 49.1. He also anchored the Friars’ mile relay team. Tonight, he’s scheduled to race against Billy Thurmond (Saddleback), Kirk Ayers (Western), Reggie Johnson (Compton) and Doug Shelby (Dos Pueblos).

“I don’t know what to expect because I’ve never run on a banked oval on the boards, and I’ve never run 500 meters,” he said. “There’s no way I’m going to run a 49.1 at this point of the season. I’ve been consistently running 51.50 in practice.”

Haiduc’s first race was an all-comer’s meet at Mt. San Antonio College. He surprised Servite Coach Jaime Sandoval with a time of 52.1. Sandoval was so impressed with Haiduc’s endurance, he decided to have him anchor the mile relay team.

“That’s my favorite race,” Haiduc said. “It seemed like every time I ran in the mile relay last year, people in the stands would say there’s no way that guy could keep up the pace he was running. But my strength is endurance. I love to run.”

Haiduc’s first love is running pass patterns. He caught 39 passes for 877 yards last season. Friar offensive coordinator Bob Walker called Haiduc “one of the best receivers this school has ever seen.”

Haiduc has been invited to visit St. Mary’s College, a Division II school in Moraga. Another Division II school, Northern Arizona, has also expressed some interest. Servite Coach Leo Hand said he isn’t surprised that Haiduc hasn’t received an offer from a big-time college.

“The bottom line is that he’s not fast enough or big enough,” Hand said. “He doesn’t reach Division I standards, and sometimes that’s a tough pill for players and their parents to swallow.

“It’s unfortunate because Nick is a tremendous player to coach and a great kid. He might be better off going to a junior college and proving himself.”

In the meantime, Haiduc is hoping to prove himself on the track. His track record on the football field already speaks for itself.

Sunkist Notes

Some of the county’s top athletes are entered in the high school events that are scheduled to begin at 4:45 p.m. Among the top entries and their personal bests are long jumper Kirk Ayers (Western), 23-3; pole vaulter Steve Slocum (Foothill), 15-0, and two-miler Chris Lugo (Valencia), 9:33.2. . . . The Karpel twins, Kathy and Shannen of Ocean View, have decided to compete in separate races. Shannen will run in the 880 meters and Kathy will run in the rated mile. . . . Kristin Harkins of La Quinta is also entered in the 880. She has a best time of 2:15.53. . . . Eric Bieniemy of Bishop Amat, who rushed for 28 touchdowns last fall, is entered in the football 60-meter dash. Crespi running back Russell White, the Southern Section’s player of the year, was invited to compete but declined.