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By: SEAN ROCCA

For The Washington Daily News

Northside senior C. J. Toodle committed to Wingate University for track and field. As a Panther, Toodle specialized in the 400m and the 4×200 relay.

He qualified for regionals in both events. He ran a personal best time of 56.02 in the 400m and finished 4th with his teammates in the 4×200 relay, qualifying them for the state championship. The team did not race as well at state, but Toodle said despite that, he enjoyed the state meet the most this season.

“It was great to be there with my teammates,” Toodle said. “I got to see the world and meet some new people. It was a great time.”

Toodle began running track as a suggestion from his football coach. Once he started, he fell in love with the sport and never looked back. This was his first year running track at Northside but he still was a leader for the Panthers.

“Watching C.J. grow in the leadership was great to see,” coach Ole Robinett said. “We started with over 60 runners and it is instrumental for seniors to take that role as leader and he did just that.”

He will join a talented Bulldogs roster that had six runners named to the Division II All-American team. He expects to have an immediate impact next year at Wingate. “I will be getting a chance to compete on the big stage,” Toodle said. “I want to prove myself. I want to show my team what I’m capable of doing.”

He is excited to see how he will continue to grow as a person. He is looking forward to working with and learning from his new teammates. “I have put in a lot of hard work this year and I know that with dedication, I can do big things at Wingate.”