There’s a certain fierceness about Nick Laccinole — and that may be exactly what makes him good at what he does best for the Inglemoor High track and field team.

Until April 30, Laccinole held the top times in the state in the 1,600 and 3,200 meter events. He remains atop the 1,600 meter rankings, his time from the Pasco Invitational on April 16 an Inglemoor record: 4 minutes, 10.24 seconds.

He set a personal record of 9:06.04 in the 3,200 at the Arcadia Invitational on April 8, a time good for fourth-best in the state following three quick times set at the Shoreline Invitational on April 30.

But for Laccinole, who stands half a head shorter than many of the other distance runners on his team, it’s less about the marks and more about the mental challenge.

“I love the 3,200,” Laccinole said. “It’s one of my favorite races because it’s going to have a fast pace when you’re running with such great competition in KingCo. It’s more of a thinking-man’s race, so you can play games with the competition.”

There’s still a mental aspect to the 1,600, he said, but not as much. Though he plans on waiting for marathons until he’s a little older, the mile is a short race to him: there isn’t as much time to play mind games.

“Nick has become a really patient runner, which has been really awesome to watch,” said Inglemoor coach Kelly Richards. “Sophomore year, he had so much to learn: running in a pack and pushed around, not going out too fast.”

Watching Laccinole and teammates Gavin Parpart and Wilson Turk train can be exhausting. The first day of the KingCo 4A Track and Field championships are scheduled for Wednesday, May 11, at Juanita High School in Kirkland, meaning the distance trio hit some of their hardest workouts of the season in the last few weeks.

Try running 400s, with little breaks in between, until you drop. Laccinole, Parpart and Turk are likely just getting started.

“You put yourself through pain every single day to get better — it’s a painful sport, but I like it just because it’s just you,” Laccinole said. “Sure, you’re going to have teammates in cross country and you’ll try to do well for your team, but once you step up to that start line, it’s just you, your legs, your lungs and your mind.”

Still, Laccinole especially credits Parpart with his success.

Should Laccinole win a state title in either event this spring at the state championships in late May, he said he’d thank his coach and his parents, but there’d be congratulations to give before ever leaving the track.

“I’d turn around, right after I cross that finish line, because I have a great teammate in [Parpart,]” Laccinole said. “He’ll probably be pretty close to me. I’ll turn around and give him a hug because, at every single track meet, he’s always right on my shoulder; always pushing me. Whenever I feel like taking a day off, he’s always there in my ear: ‘Nope, we can’t do that. We have to push each other every day.'”

He’ll also have a likely showdown with self-described rival Jack Yearian of Bellarmine Prep, who won both distance events last year. Yearian plans to run at the University of Oregon, while Laccinole plans to compete for the University of Washington.

But before having the chance to compete for a state title, Laccinole first must survive KingCo 4A, which Richards said is likely the toughest league in the state for distance runners. Then comes the Bi-District championships on May 18 and 20, where he’ll need to qualify for the state meet on May 26-28.

Here’s where that mental toughness comes in.

“Finally,” he said, “this year I actually think I have a legitimate shot.”