By Larry Moko
Tori was a terror.
Making her debut appearance at the Ontario high school track and field championships last week in Toronto, Tori D'Angela of the St. Thomas More Knights turned in a jaw-dropping performance.
The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic Grade 9 student broke a long-standing OFSAA record en route to winning the novice girls' long jump.
Her leap covered 5.77 metres.
"She broke a 30-year old OFSAA record," More coach Jessica Dyment said in amazement.
D'Angela also competed in two other individual events, capturing medals in those, as well.
"We expected Tori to win three medals," Dyment added.
In the 200 metres, D'Angela raced to gold in 25.10 seconds. At the 100m distance, she took silver (12.87).
"Tori qualified in three individual events which I've never seen before," the More coach said. "We've had other athletes in the past qualify in the 100m, 200m, and relay, but three individual events ...
"And, actually, our junior girls' relay team (at South Regionals in Welland) missed qualifying for OFSAA by 2/100ths of a second. So Tori was close to having four events. We had her running second down the full straightaway."
D'Angela's jump of 5.84m at the recent Golden Horseshoe Athletic Conference meet is her personal best in long jump.
When asked which was more satisfying, the long jump gold medal or the OFSAA record, D'Angela said: "Probably the OFSAA record. It's been there for like 30 years, I think."
Her preference is the field event over her two competitions on the track.
"I just like the jumping part of it," she said.
"My first OFSAA was a really good experience. I saw a lot of people there from club track. It's fun when there's other people cheering for you."
A few months ago, the 5-foot-10 Monte Cristo Track Club member also medalled in long jump at the national age-group indoor championships.
Said Dyment: "At GHAC long jump, nobody was even close to her. She was jumping farther than any of the junior boys."
Volleyball is another sport that D'Angela excels in. She's an outside hitter who earlier this season was selected to the Hamilton Catholic senior all-star team for its annual match against the Hamilton Public all-stars.
"I really like both sports," D'Angela said. "I'm going to keep doing both for as long as I can."
Dyment says D'Angela possesses leg strength, agility, speed and endurance as a track and field competitor. And, in volleyball, she can jump and get incredible height.
"She's an amazing kind of athlete that you don't see very often."
Last year, D'Angela took part in the 56th International Children's Games in Leon, Mexico. There, she won a bronze medal in long jump.
