Metropolitan Division
With its strong distance core and overall depth, La Salle Academy has to be labeled as the favorite in this division. But don't expect the Rams to win it easily. Central, which is fueled by a solid and gifted group of sprinters, could pull off a shocker if things go its way.
The Knights set an outstanding state mark of 3:22.48 in the 4x400m relay at the Ocean Breeze Invitational Saturday on Staten Island. Central did it with a quartet that included Austin Wolo, Dametrius O'Connor, Anthony Vega and Djero Donatien. All four should rack up a considerable amount of points for the Knights in their quest to dethrone the two-time defending state champion Hawks.
Djero, who won the 55m and 300m dashes at last year's state meet, has picked up where he left off. He ran a personal best of 6.53 to win the 55m dash at the East Coast Invitational last month. He also owns the fastest time in the state for 300m with a 36.14 clocking, which he did to earn gold at the RI Classic in December. Wolo and O'Connor also rank high in the two events and, along with Vega, are on the two fastest 4x200m (1:33.12) and 4x400m relay teams from border-to-border. The Knights should also score top points in the weight throw, an event that team members Adrian Matos (61-10.5) and Jordy Harris (57-6) are 2-3 in the division behind the nation's best in Barrington's Bobby Colantonio (82-0.5).
The Rams' Sam Coleman can certainly break up the Knights' party in the shorter events. He's the top-ranked 55m runner in the state with his best of 6.48. He also has done 36.48 for 300m, one of eight sprinters to crack 37 seconds this winter.
But, of course, where the strength lies for La Salle is in its distance runners, particularly Jack Salisbury, Matt Bouthillette, and DJ Principe. All three are entered in the 1,500m and the 1,000m and Bouthillette and Principe are also penciled into the 3K. Collectively, this group can score between 60-70 points if you also factor in the meet-opening 4x800m relay. On Saturday, Bouthillette broke the tape in the two mile at the Ocean Breeze Invitational with a 9:05 effort. Salisbury was second and Principe was fourth. All three dipped under 9:08. They also were invited to the Junior Mile of the New Balance Grand Prix on Feb. 14 based on what they've done in the mile and rank among the best in the 1,000m. Translation: They're in shape and will be tough to beat. Depending on what races he ends up competing in this Wednesday, Mars Bishop of Barrington could shake things up a bit. So far, before scratches, he's entered in the 600m, 1,000m and 1,500m and as a leg on the 4x800m relay.
Among other top runners at the meet are Classical's Nathan Narcisse, who ranks No.1 in the 55m hurdles with a 7.67 best. The defending state titlist is a few strides ahead of another La Salle runner, Justin Blake, who has done 7.85. It's not a question on whether or not the Eagles' Colantonio will win the weight. The question is can he improve on his nation best. Barrington's Vasilios Meltsakos is the top seed in the high jump (6-0) and the long jump (20-3.5).