Photo Credit: Freeze Frame Photos
“He’s a Generational Talent”. A phrase used often, maybe too often when describing young athletes these days, but when it comes to describing Nathan Guizzetti…..it fits.
The Korah Colt star athlete accomplished something during last weeks High School City Track Meet that has not only never been done during our generation here in Sault Ste. Marie, it’s never been done…..EVER.
Racing in the 100m on Thursday, Nate broke 11 seconds. Not once…but twice.
In his qualifying heat earlier in the day, Nate ran the 100m in a blazing 10.59 seconds, shattering the old City Record of 11.00 seconds, previously held by Alonzo Clarke. He followed that up with a winning time of 10.9 seconds in the final.
When asked how it felt to break the City Record Nate couldn’t hold back his excitement.
“It felt amazing! I was running 11.1-11.00 seconds flat during practice in running shoes, so I was really hoping to run in the 10.8 range at City’s.”
Guizzetti, an established Football star locally, advised me that Track and Field is his third favourite sport after Football and Hockey, but after last week’s performance he laughed and said “I can see myself putting more time into this sport for sure”
How impressive was his 10.59 time in the 100m?
Last year’s O.F.S.A.A. winner in the Senior Boys division was Alicke Cranston, who finished the race in 10.57 seconds. Still not impressed? Nate’s in Grade 11, that’s right, Grade 11.
When Olympic Gold medalist Robert Esmie heard of Nate’s time he was certainly impressed. “The fact that he’s posting those times as a multi-sport athlete is phenomenal. I’m looking forward to meeting Nate this week and working with him in the future.” Esmie, who won Gold in the 1996 Olympic Games in the 4 x 100 relay, lives in Sudbury and is the Owner/Operator of AirBlastOff.
Nate’s prowess on the track is no surprise considering both his parents were stellar high school athletes themselves. His father Dave was a provincial level wrestler, while his mother Simone was tearing up the track as a provincial track athlete during her prime.
Mom said she couldn’t be more proud of her son. “The thing I’m impressed the most about Nate is that he never complains. He goes from Track practice, to football practice, then right to the soccer field for a game. He really is a great kid, and I’m enjoying every minute watching him participate in all of his sports, especially Track.”
Dave was equally proud of his son. “He’s a humble kid who just enjoys the competition and competing with his friends. I’m excited to see how far he can take this.”
Nate’s Track and Field coach Cam Wilson said the focus coming into the season was making sure Nate entered Thursday’s meet as healthy as possible. “It really was our focus. As a multi-sport athlete he came into the Track season in great shape, we just wanted to make sure his body was ready when it needed to be”.
Ready it was.
Guizzetti was able to secure a Gold medal in the 100m, 200m, and as a member of Korah’s 4 x 100 relay team, while also placing 4th in the long jump.
What made it more satisfying was the fact that Nate couldn’t compete in Track last year because of an ankle injury he suffered in football playing for the Sabercats. “It was great to be back racing again, I love the rush of getting ready to run.”
Well he’s going to be able to enjoy that rush again very soon as he’s heading to N.O.S.S.A. in North Bay with the rest of his teammates today, and will race his races on Thursday with the 100m final at 1:00pm, and the 200m final at 2:30pm.
After N.O.S.S.A he’ll be headed to OFSAA, the following week in London. Guizzetti said his goal is to make the O.F.S.A.A. final in the 100m. “That would be awesome just to make the final, I’d be super happy with that.”
Go get’m Nate, we’ll be rooting for you.
