Adam Kelly had only one thing on his mind when he headed to New York City this weekend for the New Balance Nationals.
Ranked No. 1 in the 25-pound weight for nearly the entire season, the Barrington junior wanted to end his season that way with a national title.
On Sunday, Kelly fufilled his goal by taking his specialty with a winning heave of 77 feet, 9.25 inches. He finished a mere 5.25 inches ahead of second-place finisher, senior Daniel Haugh of Throw I Deep and St. Pius X, Ga.
"It’s been an amazing season," Kelly said. "I don’t think it has really sunk in yet. I am definitely very excited about this."
As it turned out, Rhode Islanders fared quite well in the weight. Finishing sixth overall and also earning All-American status was Classical senior Thomas Vadis at 68-11.25. Moses Brown junior Owen Rusell was eighth at 67-5.5 and Woonsocket senior Connor Fugere was tenth with a distance of 64-5.25.
But the day was certainly highlighted by Kelly's national crown, the fourth achieved by an athlete coached by Barrington weight coach Bob Gourley.
"I am always confident that Adam is going to do his best," Gourley said. "On any given day, if something changes, he is going to be on it. He takes it very seriously. He prepares very well for it."
Kelly earned his winning toss on his second throw of the preliminaries.
Coming soon...MIleSplit RI will have more on Kelly and how other R.I. athletes fared at the New Balance Nationals.
..
