Class Champions Boys Recap
This Saturday kicked off the biggest test for Rhode Island runners yet, the Class Championship. The meet brings together the best in each Class to push for state meet qualifiers and standards. Class A, B, and C occurred on the boys' side, with plentiful PRs, some top marks in the United States, and even a meet record or two.
In Class A, it was the typical Hendricken vs. La Salle battle. Between the two teams, they won 11 of the 14 events. Major scorers include Troy Silvestri of Hendricken placing 1-4 in the 3000 and 1500 respectively. Brady Fisher of La Salle won the long jump, 55 hurdles, took top 6 in the high jump, and was a part of the winning 4x200 relay. Notable performances included a 1:24.94 600 PR from Ryan Bourke of Cumberland to win and a 6-7 high jump for Hendricken's Jakob Reyes. He broke a 35-year record at the school. Hendricken proved to be too dominant as they beat La Salle 168 to 141. Cumberland took 3rd with 67 points.
In Class B, things became a bit more interesting with the likes of Barrington, Classical, Smithfield, and Portsmouth all in the team battle. Some highlights include a dominant 24 points in the weight throw for Lincoln, A 1500-600 double victory for Elijah Saddlemire of Smithfield, and a dominant performance by Barrington's sprints. Ethan Knight of Barrington won both the 55mh and the 300 and helped the 4x200 take the win. This, along with scoring in every distance event led to a dominant win for Barrington with a total of 161 points to Smithfield's 71. Portsmouth edged out Classical for 3rd with 63 points.
In Class C, Saint Raphael's looked to be the heavy favorite. Although Devan Kipyego was called to action elsewhere to compete in the New Balance Grand Prix International Mile, on paper SRA was still the favorite. Ethan McCann-Carter of Saint Raphael's helped carry their team with a meet record in the long jump, high jump, and a bronze in the 55mh. Moses Meus similarly had a great day winning the shot put, and taking 3rd in the weight and 55 to show versatility rarely seen. The race of the day had to be the 1500. Nicholas Martin of East Greenwich held off Moses Brown's Thomas Speltz and Cole Francis of Narragansett as the trio all broke 4:07 and Martin ran 4:05.33 for another meet record. The former holder was none other than Andrew Springer of Westerly, the former state record holder in the mile with a 4:02. Martin also won the 1k in 2:39.03. Saint Raphael's went on to win the meet with a 137 to East Greenwich's 75. Moses Brown took 3rd with 70 points.
After great battles, both team-wise and individually, the state will prepare for the last chance meet as athletes prepare to compete in Freshmen, JV of Varsity States in the coming weeks.