NBNO Preview: Championship Running Events

Portsmouth's Nikki Merrill and La Salle's Emily Kane are entered in the Championship Mile.

COMPLETE ENTRIES (Updated)

NBNO Preview: Championship Running Events

Including relays, Rhode Island will have a dozen entries in the elite races on the oval this weekend. Beginning with the girls' mile run, the 1-2 finishers from the 1,600m at the New England meet will toe the line in the mile, Portsmouth's Nikki Merrill and La Salle's Emily Kane. Both are capable of running a time in the low 4:50 range. With the Brooks PR Invitational taking several of the nation's best, a time in mid to high 4:40 range could place among the top six or 10. Last year, a time of 4:46.63 earned All-American status. The Patriots' Merrill ran 4:29.7 for the 1,500m at the State Meet, which computes to a mile time in the high 4:40 range. With the level of competition that the NBNO attracts, there's potential for her to crack into the top placements this weekend.

Central is once again sending his strong contingent of sprinters (and more) down to North Carolina. The Knights' Donatien Djero is entered in the 100m dash, an event he set a school record of 10.49 at the recent New England Championships. Djero will also run legs on Central's 4x100m, 4x200m and 800m Sprint Medley Relay squads. 

Cumberland's Ben Drezek will try and improve on his state record of 6:23.54 for the 2,000m steeplechase and placing among the top six this weekend, a goal he has stated often this season.

...more to come

Mile

Emily Kane, La Salle

Nikki Merrill, Portsmouth

5,000m

Ellie Lawler, South Kingstown

SMR

Westerly

4xMile

Portsmouth

Cumberland

2K Steeplechase

Ben Drezek, Cumberland

Decathlon

Conor Sheridan, East Greenwich

100m

Donatien Djero, Central

4x100m

Central

4x200m

Central

800SMR

Central