It was busy weekend for some of our athletes, particularly the hammer throwers.
On Friday, several of our throwers were making noise at the annual New York Relays. Two days later, Conley Stadium was a site for the International Hammer Implement Invitational, a meet that drew a plethora of RI athletes and a few regional competitors.
The weekend was highlighted by a nation No. 1 from Jacob Furland at the International Hammer Invite where he unleashed a personal best of 221 feet, 3 inches for the 5k hammer. Cumberland's Cole Hooper was second at 181-11. Ponaganset's Gianna Rao claimed the girls 4k hammer with a 178-8 effort. Barrington's Faith Polando took runner-up honors with a distance of 164-9.
Rhode Islanders swept the top seven placements in the boys' hammer at the NY Relays with Furland taking first with a throw of 211-7.. Lincoln claimed the next three placements with Doyle (second, 205-10), Matthew Thibaudeau (third, 186-7), Evan Grivers (fourth, 175-8) and Kyle Moison (fifth, 168-10).
Classical's Cheyenne Fipgueroa captured gold in the girls' competition with a throw of 158-1. She was followed by Woonsocket teammates Marissa Henley (second, 155-5) and Katrina Kurowski (third, 150-0).
Murphy, Choquette excel at NY Relays
Cumberland's Chris Choquette captured the decathlon at the New York Relays, compiling 5,309 points. Choquette placed first in five of the 10 events. He won the 100-meter dash (11.64 seconds), the 400m (54.85), the 110m hurdles (15.63), the long jump (19 feet, 10.75 inches), the shot put (34-5.75) and the pole vault (12-0).
Classical's Connor Murphy was third overall in the mile run where he was timed in 4:22.38. Finishing tenth overall was teammate John O'Rourke, who crossed the line in 4:30.86.