Trojan 4x100 relay qualifies for state meet

Is there a better way to end a track and field season? Oak Ridge's boys' 4x100-meter relay team of Suhnny Bernardi, Chase Fontana, Demarco Patterson and Cole Esten ran a school-record time of 41.84 seconds and placed third at the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Championships, thereby qualifying for the CIF State Track and Field Championships. This would have been an unexpected result three weeks ago, but the team has come together and peaked at the right time. "During league we were usually a runner-up team to other teams so at the time it was more about winning races than thinking about going to the state meet," Fontana said. "At the league finals, we finished fourth with a time of 43.6, but we just took it one step at a time." Patterson added, "When I saw the times of the other schools I was little nervous because there was a big gap between us and the top-three teams so we had a long way to go. "Due to my lack of experience in beginning of track season, the first couple races we weren't really running any standout times, but over the season with the help of the coaches, everybody on the relay kept getting faster and more confident when running and eventually we broke 43 at the Division I trials and that's when we started to really see our potential. We placed third and we really gained a lot of confidence from that. From that point on we kept practicing and refining our handoffs then eventually it all came together and we broke the school record and broke 42. "The day of the meet, I just told myself I would leave it in God's hands and if he wills for us to go to state we will." On top of the team's God-given talent, it took a lot of hard work to bring their times down. "At the beginning of the season, our team ran roughly a 44.5, so we dropped a total of almost three seconds this season," Bernardi said. "When we went to the league meet, I knew we had a chance but I knew it would be difficult." Added Fontana, "We trained for multiple hours a week. Handoffs, speed work, and building emotional chemistry on and off the track. Having a strong and competitive relationship with your teammates can help more than you know." On Saturday in the finals, it all came together for the team. "The boys lit it up," Oak Ridge coach Rob Fairley said. "They had great handoffs and are running the fastest they have all season. They're the first 4x100-meter relay team from Oak Ridge to qualify for state." The team's school-record time of 41.84 had them finish in third place and they team qualified for the CIF state championship meet. "I remember running over from the other side of the track, seeing us in third with a 41.84, and then just celebrating it with my guys like we had won the Super Bowl," Fontana said. "I've never doubted my team's capabilities, knowing how far we've come this season. We're chasing gold, and nothing else." Added Patterson, "We were all hyped about it." As for the state meet, the goals for the team vary. "For states, my goal is going to place within the top-10 teams, which is going to be incredibly difficult, as we are up against some insane competition," Bernardi said. Said Patterson, "My goal for states is to win it all and cause the biggest upset and put all our names out there."