The Bellarmine Track Team distance runner squad opened the 2021 season at Dublin High School on April 10 with amazing results for the Bells.
“They outdid themselves, culminating with the last race of the night when Nolan Topper ‘21 and Colin Peattie ‘21 both broke the school record in the 3200,” noted coach Patrick McCrystle, who went on to share that what really stood out to him and coach John Maloney “… was the incredible camaraderie and energy exhibited by all the Bells who participated. Whether cheering on their comrades mid-race, comforting nervous freshmen before their first race, or consoling a teammate after a poor performance, the Bells where the definition of team.”
A particular moving story shared by McCrystle was one that was indicative of the Bellarmine brotherhood. “Though he wouldn’t be racing for more than two hours, who was standing, mask on, at the fence outside the stadium’s third turn, cheering on his teammates in the first, slowest heat of the 1600? Colin Peattie…and 3 hours later, as Colin ended his cooldown after running the 2nd fastest time in school history, a group of his teammates was still there to congratulate him, even though they had finished their races hours before!”
Coach McCrystle reports the new school records as follows:
Old 3200 Record: Meika Beaudoin-Rousseau ‘18 9:07.16 2017 (Arcadia Invite)
New 3200 Record: 1. Nolan Topper 9:02.34 (17th fastest time in CCS history) 2. Colin Peattie 9:04.80 (tied 28th fastest time all-time in CCS).
Of note, Galen Topper ‘21 took 3rd in the race in 9:10.15, which now makes him the 5th fastest Bellarmine runner of all-time in the 3200.