St. Timothy High School keeps proving they’re the small school with a big heart.
The Thunder track and field team had a very successful Calgary Senior High School Athletic Association (CSHSAA) Divisional qualifying meet on May 18 at Foothills Athletic Park.
Alex Howells, Sophia Nowicki, Josh Novak, Erin Greenan, and Madison Cruickshank all qualified in their respective categories for the Calgary City Championships.
“I was pretty pleased with the results,” said Thunder head coach Travis Cummings. “Josh, Sophia, and Alex all have a good shot at provincials if they make it through (the city championships), because it’s usually Calgary and Edmonton kids that medal at provincials with the exception of all few rural kids who come through once in a while.”
Howells continued his winning ways from over the course of the season as he won the senior boys 1,500m and 3,000m in convincing fashion, and goes into the city championships as the number-one seed and favourite.
“Alex ran 8:52.96 for the 3,000m a couple Fridays ago, which is the fastest time in the province right now,” Cummings said. “He’s looking good right now, providing he does everything he needs to do and there’s no massive psychological breakdowns which I don’t anticipate considering. He’s been running very well with a lot of confidence.
“It’s been a long journey for him over the last six years, and he’s earned everything he’s gotten. I’m very proud of him.”
Nowicki followed in Howells’ footsteps, winning the 1,500m and 3,000m in intermediate girls action, and looks to be another favourite for the next meet as she goes in as a second-place seed.
“With (Sophia) I was quite happy with how she performed,” Cummings said. “She lives in Bragg Creek so it’s tough for her to always get to practice. She did a lot of training over the winter on her own, and the benefits are showing.
“She’s had to battle an injury the last six weeks, but we’ve gotten her to physiotherapy, and she’s overcome a lot of adversity. If she races properly there’s no reason she can’t win the next meet.”
Young gun Novak took his cues from his older peers and the Grade 10 student placed second in the junior boys 3,000m and third in the senior boys 1,500m. He also heads to City Championships as a number-two seed in the 3,000m.
“He’s really come along in the last couple months,” Cummings said of the young protégé. “I pumped him up to the senior race in cross country where he finished 19th overall which is exceptional for a Grade 10.
“(Josh) has the potential to reach provincials, but it’s going to be a dogfight.”
As for track rookies Greenan and Cruickshank, they defied the odds and impressed at the meet, with Grade 12 student Greenan qualifying for Cities in the high jump, punching her ticket with a fourth-place finish.
Cruickshank – a skillful sprinter – qualified for the 200m and 400m on two very gutsy efforts.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what the two of them are going to do,” Cummings said. “It’s their first year and they’ve pulled it out. I couldn’t be more happy with the results.”
However, everything wasn’t wine and roses as a couple of Thunder athletes didn’t qualify to the disappointment of their coach.
“There were a couple people who I thought should have placed higher than they did, but that’s par for the course in coaching.” Cummings admitted. “I can’t complain how things went though.
“Hopefully we can get three athletes to provincials. Either way the season is by no means a failure.”
City Championships are set to take place May 28 at Foothills Athletic Park.
