The PMHS boys 4 x 200 meter relay team broke an 11-year-old school record at the Jim Mitchell Invitational track meet at the Armory in the Bronx.

The team is comprised of seniors Kyle Chang, Kristian Howell and Nick Massaregli, and junior Manny Idowu. They ran the relay in 1:34.29, besting the old PMHS record of 1:34.33.

Sprinting coach Scott Brown credited Chang with a big part of the record achieved Dec. 9, saying he has been a significant addition to the team whose other runners competed together last year.

“The unparalleled starts of Nick Massaregli, Kristian’s anchor speed and experience and Manny’s exceptional learning curve on both running form and baton technique” all contributed to setting the new record, according to Brown.

He said the chemistry of the team makes them special: “Speed can win but chemistry and perfect exchanges are what keep you in the race.”

Training consisted of “a mix of speed work, relay drills and targeted strength exercises, focusing on improving our individual 200 meter performances and smooth baton transitions,” said Chang. The Jim Mitchell Invitational was his first-ever track meet.

While the team now sets its sights on state qualifiers and a spring 4 x 100 meter PMHS record that has stood for 28 years, the significance of this record is not lost on Chang and Howell.

“It reflects our hard work and dedication, boosting confidence and setting a new standard,” Chang said.

Howell said the run was a “a dream come true” because he is following in the footsteps of his father, Male PMHS Athlete of the Year in 1997.

Howell leads the charge for the relay team after missing state qualification in the 55-meter sprint by a hundredth of a second last season.

The four sprinters are “veteran athletes who know themselves very well and have obvious skills that go just beyond the sport,” said Brown. “They’re mentally tough and have great self-awareness and personal determination to achieve at the highest level.”

The team is set to compete next on Wednesday at the Section 1 Coaches Invitational in New York City.

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