Over the next few weeks, MileSplit RI will feature what we consider the best performances of the outdoor track & field season. This was an arduous task to undertake as there was an abundance of fine efforts turned in by our Rhode Islanders throughout this spring campaign. Here's our latest...
Donatien Djero
100-meter dash, New England Championship
The Central senior has been our most dominant sprinter the last few years and was one of the key reasons that the Knights were able to claim their first state title since 1995 in early June. The Northeastern-bound speedster has had his share of standout performance. He ventured into the 400m this spring and recently anchored the Knights' Swedish Relay at the New Balance Nationals where he ran an all-time best of 47.25. He also has consistently dipped under 22 seconds for 200m and was unbeatable in the 100m
But the race we consider the best of them all was a race he actually didn't win. In one of the most hotly-contested events at the recent New England Championships, Djero was mere inches from snaring a victory in the 100m dash, taking runner-up honors to Needham's Davonte Burnett with a state mark of 10.49, just .01 behind Burnett. What makes his current state mark even more impressive is the fact he was able to do it despite a nagging inner thigh injury he has been dealing with lately.