Talk about a dream match-up.
The boys’ 400-meter run at the Meet of Champions could produce one heck of a showdown next month.
In record-breaking fashion, Johnny Emmanuel became our state’s second runner to break 48 seconds this year by dominating a talented field at Saturday’s MSTCA Coaches Invitational. The Malden High senior broke the tape in a state-leading 47.55. His stellar performance comes just one week after Haverhill’s Nataenel Vigo-Catala, owner of a 47.67 best, blazed the one-lapper in 48.13 at the Weston Twilight Invitational.
Could we see these two on the line together at the MOC in early June? If so, be prepared for a race of historical proportion.
Meet host Norton had two of its athletes come through with impressive performances on a hot day for racing. Junior Jillian Strynar moved to No. 9 in the state rankings by winning the 200m dash with a PR of 25.62. Senior teammate Ali Murphy earned gold in the 400m with a season best and state No. 4 of 57.03,
Oliver Ames Ryan Sarney outdistanced the field in the boys’ mile where he clocked an all-time best of 4:15.47. Finishing second was Waltham’s Brendan Wilder at 4:18.42. Sarney was ready for a prime showing. Just four days earlier in a meet with Canton. the OA senior and teammate Brendan Thomas went 1-2 in the two mile with times of 9:20.3 and 9:21.3, respectively. Thomas, a junior, won the 2M on Saturday with a time of 9:22.19.
Based on what transpired on Saturday, the triple jump should create some excitement at the MOC. The state’s 2-3-4-5 bests were produced at the Coaches Invite. Attleboro’s Zyeem Charles leaped to a winning distance of 45 feet, 4 inches. He was followed by Natick’s Matthew Acquah (second, 44-8.75), Cardinal Spellman’s Nathan Monteiro (third, 44-4.5), and Attleboro’s Adrian Rivera (fourth, 44-3). At the Andover Boosters Invitational, also held on Saturday, St. John’s Prep’s Tireni Asenuga moved to No. 1 in the rankings with a big-time PR of 46-3.5. Finishings second in that meet was Peabody’s Evan Bedard with a best of 44-2.5 to make it six over 44 feet this weekend.
Lowell’s Christopher Brooks and Malden’s Emmanuel became the state first two sprinters under 22 seconds in the 200m with their 1-2 finish. Brooks nabbed first in 21.79, while Emmanuel was timed in an impressive 21.93 after his 400m victory. Taunton’s Dmitrius Shearrion was on the cusp of a sub-22, placing third in 22.04.
The state’s top shot-putter, Catherine Sargent of Dedham, continued her dominance inside the circle with a winning heave of 40-1.
