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Boys track finish season undefeated at 12-0

The Canton boys track and field team finished undefeated (12-0, 12-0 NCCC) for the first time in its seven-year history with a 89-60 win over Avon and a 94.5 to 54.5 win over Enfield.
 
Against Avon and Enfield, senior David Kucia won three times and set new school records in two events. Kucia won the triple jump and broke his own school records in the 110 high hurdles and 300 hurdles. He easily won the 110 hurdles in 14.97 seconds and captured the 300 in 41.15 seconds.
 
Jon Cahill won the 1,600 and 3,200 meters at the event while Dylan Smith swept the shot put and discus and took second in the javelin. Kevin Kurnat won the 800 meters and freshman Keith Wilson won the 400.
 
Athletes scoring points in multiple events have lifted Canton to the brink of a league championship – an impressive feat for a team with no track and field facilities. Hurdlers practice their form in the parking lot with a hurdle or two while athletes competing shot put and discus do their best without a throwing circle to practice in.
 
Athletes who compete in the high jump, long jump or triple jump really savor game day when they get a chance to leap into a jumping pit or high jump on a proper mat.
 
“We have a lot of pride,” Smith said. “You Tube was one of my biggest helpers. And you look at the better throwers (at meets) and see how they do it.”
While Canton had its eyes on the NCCC championship, they aren’t ignoring what comes next – the Class S championship meet next Thursday, June 2 at New Britain’s Willowbrook Park.
 
Tim O’Donnell, the cross country coach at school, the former indoor track coach and unofficial mentor of the outdoor program, already sat the team down and planted the seed regarding Canton winning a state championship.
 
“It’s not a small goal,” Kucia admitted. “But if we can score points in the distance events and field events, we could win it.”
 

The Warriors already turned in an impressive performance two weeks ago at the Greater Hartford Invitational, winning the Small Division championship and finishing second overall among the boys, including beating defending Class S champion Northwest Catholic.

Gerry deSimas, Jr., is the editor and founder of The Collinsville Press. He is an award-winning writer and has been covering sports in Connecticut and New England for more than 40 years. He was inducted into the New England High School Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2018.

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