Neil Topola’s first trip to track and field provincials was a smash success.
The Grade 10 student at Edwin Parr Composite took his skills in the long jump and triple jump to the competition in Edmonton on the first weekend of June.
He was one of only four EPC athletes to make the provincial grade, joining Emma Neigel, Heather Maki and Robin Chrunyk. All three performed admirably, and Neigel brought home two bronze medals, but it was Topola himself who arguably made the biggest splash at the competition.
Though it was his very first time competing at provincials, Topola had little trouble establishing himself as the class of the long jump competition. With his best jump ever (5.95 metres) he won gold by quite a margin, establishing himself as the best long jumper in his age group in all of Alberta.
He certainly wasn’t expecting that.
“It was nerve wracking. I didn’t know what to expect. My adrenaline was just pumping and I was excited about being at provincials,” he said. “I was hoping to be in the middle of the pack, not get last and not embarrass myself.”
Turns out he needn’t have worried.
Like any top athlete, Topola can’t guarantee himself success at any given competition, even if he tries to recreate all of the steps he took to create previous successes. Still, his experience at prior competitions and his knowledge of what it takes to reach the podium could only help him in Edmonton.
“I just pace my steps out, try to take off at the right spot, fly through the air and hope I go far,” he said.
Though he won gold in the triple jump at zones, he had to settle for fourth in that event at provincials. Still, ‘fourth best’ triple jump in Alberta is an impressive feat, if not quite as impressive as best long jump.
“To be in that group, that elite group of being at provincials, I can’t even put it into words,” said Topola.
Given his impressive performance this year, it’s likely he’ll have another chance to find the right words next year … and the year after that.
To date, track and field has just been one of many sporting pursuits that the athletic Topola has taken part in. But competing alongside Neigel, a prolific runner who has earned a scholarship to the University of Mississippi this fall, has opened his eyes to just how far he can go if he combines his natural talent with hard work and dedication.
“If I keep this up and do more training, I could go far.”
If his jumping is any indication, there’s no telling just how far.
