Looking to improve upon an outstanding 2015 season Kevin Dado looks to become one of the best in the school’s history in 2016.

Dado, now a Junior, qualified for the Minnesota State Track and Field Meet last spring finishing 7th in the 1600m and 8th in the 3200m races. In both races, Kevin was the youngest and most inexperienced runner in the field, yet he says the pressure was never on him, “Once I was at the state meet I didn’t feel too much pressure anymore because I had reached the big goal of making it to the meet. I was able to run without worrying about qualifying for another race and I think knowing this helped me relax and focus more on running hard.” With seven of the top ten finishers from last years meet now graduated the door is open for the challengers and Kevin is looking to take advantage, saying he hopes to continue his improvement by using his experience from last year  to improve how he approaches each race.

There is also a little extra motivation looming for Kevin. In both the 1600m (4:19.33) and 3200m (9:31.62)  he is approaching the school record fastest times. For most they will tell you they never pay any attention to the records, but it has to be hard to not when there is a bit of a sibling rivalry involved in the process. Kevin’s older brother Stephen, who graduated in 2011, currently has him narrowly beat in both races. The brothers are 1st and 2nd in the 1600 m and 2nd and 3rd in the 3200m according to the athletic.net school records. It is a goal of Kevin’s to break these records, “Knowing that I’m close to them gives me extra motivation to work hard at practice and at the races. My brother came very close to breaking them as well, so that also gives me motivation to go for them.” With practice for his Junior season just getting under way, and what looks to be a promising Senior season still ahead he might just be able to get it done.

Anyone looking to watch Kevin or the rest of the Totino-Grace Track and Field Team compete can catch the team’s home opener April 5th at 4:00pm at Jim Totino Stadium.