By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

In a sport that is all about time, the time is now for Aurora’s 4×100 boys relay team.

The Aurora 4×100 boys relay team has been unstoppable this season, winning every race and setting a new school record in every race. The quartet of Luke McGovern, Quincy John, Ishaan Shaik and Luke Geyer will compete in the preliminaries of the Division I state championships at 6:30 p.m. tonight (Friday).

The group of sophomore Luke McGovern, junior Quincy John, senior Ishaan Shaik and junior Luke Geyer have spent the entire spring regularly eclipsing their competition, setting new school records along the way.

All for the focused goal that was set during the preseason of qualifying for the state championships.

The quartet accomplished that goal, clocking a 42.11 at last weekend’s regional meet, and they will step foot on Ohio State University’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium at 6:10 p.m. tonight (Friday) for the preliminaries in Division I.

The finals for the boys 4×100 are set for Saturday at 5:30 p.m.

(Note: Weather could impact the start time of events all weekend long in Columbus).

The group has run determined all season and became the first Aurora relay team to qualify for the state championships since the 2001 4×400 group.

They are undefeated in competition and captured championships at the Suburban League Championships, as well as the district and regional meets.

“It is an extraordinary achievement for any team, especially one from Aurora, whose sprinters are often overlooked,” Aurora boys track and field head coach Chris Radtke. “The already difficult Austintown regional was made even more brutal this year, with the state adding Central Ohio teams into the mix. To conquer that meat grinder is remarkable.”

McGovern (200 meters) and Shaik (high jump) both qualified as individuals, while John was injured during Week 7 of the high school football season with a torn PCL in his knee. Geyer, too, has been working through painful leg injuries, while McGovern strained his hip flexor last spring.

The foursome formed as a relay last season and soon became unstoppable.

So unstoppable that they have broken the school record every single time they have run.

The group was on track to qualify for Columbus last spring, but injuries snuck in and eventually blocked the opportunity.

“This season, they returned with a singular focus: Getting to state,” said Radtke, who has enjoyed coaching and supporting the group from his front-row seat.

“There is something uniquely special about a relay team qualifying for state,” he said. “While individual state qualifications are undoubtedly huge accomplishments, the challenge of synchronizing four athletes, ensuring they’re all operating at their highest level at the same time is immense, especially in a blazing 4×100 relay, where split-second timing is a necessity.

“It is a testament to incredible teamwork and dedication. The success of Ishaan, Luke, Quincy and Luke speaks volumes about their persistence, their commitment and the depth of our program.”

McGovern, John, Shaik and Geyer all also paired up to begin running the 4×200 relay this season, but not until May since they all were competing in other events. All they did was already set another school record in the event and finished eighth at the regional championships.

“They are a very easy team to root for and celebrate due to their work ethic and resilience,” Radtke said.

Columbus will get their chance beginning tonight.