The St. Thomas More Knights 4x400 metre boys' relay team is one win away from establishing itself as the fastest program in the province.
The Knights foursome of Massimo Pozzolo, Malcom Lee, Sebastian Adugalski and Giovanni Trasolini clocked a season-best 43.3 at the Oregon Relays earlier this month and boast the quickest seed time heading into the B.C. high school track and field championship meet in Langley Friday.
A win would give STM seniors Adugalski and Trasolini, and the school, their third straight senior gold medal in the event.
That feat would match an earlier program three-peat from 2006 to 2008. when a Knights' relay team of Daniel Wierzibicki, Keenan Parker, Sam Carino and Cesar Abraham posted a program-best 43.08 time in 2007.
STM also won the 400m relay in 1997 and 1989, with future Olympian Peter Ogilvie, who still holds the provincial high school 100m sprint record at 10.46.
The Burnaby independent school is currently tied with Mt. Douglas Secondary, both with seven wins in the 4x100m. The south Vancouver Island school achieved its winning string in an eight-year span, beginning in 1969 and including six consecutive titles from 1971 to '76.
This season, Mt. Doug's boys' relay team placed second in the Island championships in a time of 45.48.
"The history means a lot," said Lee, who runs the second leg of the relay. "It's good for our school. We work hard and we take a lot of pride in it. It's an expectation now."
Newcomer to the team is junior Massimo Pozzolo, who will run the lead leg.
"It puts a lot of pressure on us. But as they say, 'It can either make you collapse, or make diamonds,' and I think that will honestly help us," Pozzolo said.
Back for a fifth consecutive season as third and anchor, respectively, Adugalski and Trasolini would like nothing better than to finish their high school track careers together on top.
Last year, Trasolini took the final handoff trailing the leaders and ran a memorable last leg to claim the gold medal.
On Friday, the Knights hope they won't need such dramatics.
"It's all about timing, and Gio and I have what it takes," said Adugalski. "We don't want to change anything. We might as well stick with it."
"I think it's just the desire to win, because we're all fast," Trasolini added.
"It would separate us from all the other schools, too."
Lee and Trasolini will also compete in the individual sprints, while Adugalski qualified in the 400m and 400m hurdles.
Not to be outdone, STM girls' sprint relay team of Jordana Blaeser, Alexis Llewellyn, Rachel Shuttleworth and Grade 9 sensation Zion Corrales Nelson also have a prime opportunity to bring a first-ever B.C. title in the sprint relay to the program.
"Last year we came third. This year we're aiming at the gold, and we think we have a pretty good shot," said Shuttleworth, the lone senior on the team.
The STM women qualified for the championships with the No. 1 seed time in the province.
"It would mean a lot. Obviously, the guys have done well, but both of us
coming first would be a huge celebration," said Blaeser. Running anchor for the girls' team is
Running anchor for the girls' team is Corrales Nelson, who will also compete in the individual 100, 200 and 400m.
"She's gifted, for sure," said Llewellyn. The teams credit their coaches with preparing them for what is ahead, and the school body in general for its unconditional support.
"We try to set an example on the track and in school, and to play a big role in being positive examples," Adugalski said.
"Hopefully we can say the ultimate thank you by giving our best performance on Friday," Trasolini added. [email protected]
