By Larry Moko
Tori D'Angela of the St. Thomas More Knights has burst upon the high school track and field scene with some impressive performances this season.
The Grade 9 student recently raced to victory in both the 100 and 200-metre finals of the South Regional championships in Welland.
In addition, the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic Athletic Association representative won the novice girls' long jump with a leap of 5.30 metres.
An accomplished club and high school volleyball player, D'Angela's dash times for the 100 and 200 were 12.81 seconds and 25.13, respectively. A few months ago, the Monte Carlo Track Club member also won U16 long jump (5.59m) at the Canadian Indoor Track and Field Championships.
The top four placings in each South Regional event advance to the OFSAA championships June 5-7 at Toronto's York University.
Another high school rookie who excelled was Reese FitzGibbon of the Bishop Tonnos Titans. She had the best throws in two novice girls' field events -- 32.90 in the discus and 11.68 in shot put.
She was also a member of Tonnos' 4x100m novice girls' relay team that qualified for provincials with a fourth-place clocking.
Other HWCDSB first-place performances were by: Michelle Anigwe, More, JG shot put, 12.11; Natnael Mulugeta, Cathedral, men's 2000m, 6:25.69; Roedane Williams, Brébeuf, men's 100m visually impaired, 42.87; Victoria Zolaturiuk, Tonnos, SG 100m, 12:31.
Also cracking the top four were: Anna Ptaszek, St. Mary, SG 1500m and 3,000m; Jeremy Pinho, Cathedral, men's 2000m; Nathan Osborne, Brébeuf, men's 100m ambulatory; Zolaturiuk, Tonnos, SG 200m; Odaya Yamadjako, Bishop Ryan, JG triple jump; Bryer Ryzlak, Cathedral, JB triple jump; Amos Wleh, Cathdral, JB triple jump; Jayla Swistak, Cathedral, NG 300m hurdles; Jasmin Powell, More, NG high jump; Levi Snider, Bishop Ryan, SB discus.
