Seven Bold (and not so Bold) Predictions for this weekend's T&F State Championships


Jack will make history

It was brought to our attention this week by RI Track & Field Foundation president Rick Marshall that if La Salle Academy senior Jack Salisbury takes the 1,500-meter run this weekend he will become the only person in the 61-year history of the state meet to ever win the 1,500m/mile three times. Our guess is Jack will do it. The Ram standout rarely (if ever) loses to Rhode Island competition and is red-hot right now. Jack is coming off one of the best races of his stellar career, taking the Junior Mile this past Sunday at the New Balance Grand Prix in a state record of 4:08.33, the third fastest time in the county. The question is not whether or not Jack will win this weekend. The question is will he break the 2009 state record of 3:53.32 by Westerly's Andrew Springer? With his two teammates (Matt Bouthillette and DJ Principe) and a talented field that also includes Cumberland's Sean Laverty, Barrington's Mars Bishop, Classical's Joe Murphy and North Kingstown's Sam Toolin, all runners capable of dipping under 4 minutes, more than likely this will not be a race that's tactical where Jack can sit back and rely on his kick at the end. It's going to be fast from the start so a record run is possible.