Throughout the week, RI MileSplit will feature some of the top athletes that will be competing at the New Balance Nationals Indoor Championships this weekend (March 13-15).
La Salle Academy, 4 x Mile Relay
One team member has done 4:08 and the other three have done 4:17. Do the math. The Ram quartet of junior Jack Salisbury, senior Dan Paiva, junior Matt Bouthillette and sophomore D.J. Principe have a legitimate chance to not only win the 4 x Mile relay this weekend but break the national record of 17:07.17, set last year by New Jersey's Christian Brothers Academy. CBA, which won the title by a little more than a second over Gig Harbor (Wash.), averaged about a 4:17 for each of its runners to smash the old mark of 17:20.20 by Chariho Regional, set at the 2012 NBNI. The Rams will need the right kind of race to return the title and record back to R.I. In other words, a competitive race, one that will push them to a fast time. The goal is to win, and more than likely that is what the Rams are solely focusing on. If it turns out to be a nail-biter with a few schools in the mix, a record is certainly possible. Two weeks ago at the New England's, Matt, D.J. and Dan took the top three placements. Matt and D.J. each had PR performances with times of 4:17.25 and 4:17.77, respectively. Dan, who was just a few strides behind, ran his best at the New Balance Grand Prix at the beginning of February with a 4:17.27. We all know what Jack did in that race with his sensational runner-up time of 4:08.76. Those are some impressive times that can certainly make Saturday afternoon special. A victory (and record) will also provide an emotional boost to the foursome in their individual races at the meet. All four runners will be back on the track on Sunday with Matt and D.J. entered in a competitive two-mile race and Jack and Dan among a talented field in the mile.