The Knights of Columbus Four-Mile Relay isn’t all about running.
For all but four of its 46 years a boys’ hammer competition was held, and in 1997 a girls’ hammer was added.
Saturday's event, like most years, turned into a tight battle with the boys as less than 19 feet separated the top five finishers. Moses Brown junior Owen Russell captured the title with a personal-best toss of 209-5. Russell defeated Barrington sophomore Bobby Colantonio, who was second at 199-11. Russell's winning distance currently ranks No. 3 in the country and is 41-feet further than his previous best from last year
The Quaker standout had a good idea he had a 200-plus foot effort this weekend.
“At practice I was throwing about 200 (feet) so that was a good toss,” Russell said. “There was one I fouled that was close to 220 (feet). It was a lot of fun, a good meet, a good start to the season. I just wanted to get over 200, just try to repeat what I did in practice.”
Classical’s Thomas Vadis was third overall with a throw of 198-11. Rounding out the top five finishers was Gabe Arcaro of Burlington, Mass. (196-0) and Woonsocket’s Connor Fugere (190-10).
Narragansett’s Leia Mistowski, a second-place finisher at the 2013 state meet, copped the girls’ event this weekend with a PB of 167-10. Finishing second was Classical’s Alva Hicks at 156-9. Exeter/West Greenwich’s Tori Ebert was third with a distance of 151-0.
“I’m pretty happy. I didn’t expect to throw that far, seeing how my PR from last year was 166 (feet),” Mistowski said. “A foot PR isn’t bad for the beginning. I wasn’t expecting to hit anywhere close to my PR.”
The Mariner star, a two-time All American for the 20-pound weight, was consistently in the high 150- to high 160-foot range throughout the competition.
“I have actually been sick all week and only practiced (Friday) and I couldn’t go to the gym or anything because I was sick,” Mistowski said. “I wasn’t expecting to open big today.”
Classical senior Bianca Donadio was fourth overall at 146-0 and East Greenwich junior Lauren Swanson was fifth at 140-4.
In the 3K hammer, Classical’s Hicks won with a toss of 55-05 meters.
