MOC Preview: Girls’ Throwing & Jumping Events

Just who are the top athletes that will be competing at Saturday’s Meet of Champions? Throughout the week, Bay State Running will preview all the individual events at this weekend’s competition, scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m., at the Reggie Lewis Center. Here we feature the girls’ throwing & jumping events.

SHOT

We’ve got some competition here. The top four seeds in this event have exceeded 40 feet this season and the No. 5 seed is less than an inch from that milestone. Holding the No. 1 spot is defending champion Brooke Serak of Bishop Feehan, who unleashed a season best of 41 feet, 4 inches to capture individual honors at the Northeast Invitational last month. Since that performance, Serak hasn’t quite been able to regain that touch with a best of 38-3 at the Mayflower League Championships. She was also a runner-up at the Div. 2 Championship on Friday where she went 37-9.5. We’re guessing, Serak will be right on track this weekend versus the state’s top shot-putters. Occupying the No. 2 through No. 5 seeds ate Havehill’s Madeline Goncalves (40-9.5). Ludlow’s Elena Chaplin (40-8), Franklin’s Lily DeForge (40-3.25) and Chicopee’s Maria Faretti (39-11.25). Of that group, Chaplin has been the most consistent the last few weeks. In the four meets leading up to this weekend, she’s gone 39-9 or further.

WEIGHT

The favorite here is Walpole’s Sophia Axelford with the No. 1 seed of 47-7.75. North Reading’s Abigail Lilley is at No. 2 with a best of 43-0. Among the other top entries are Lexington’s Quin Tandelh (39-7.75), New Bedford’s Nialonis Smith (39-2), Lexington’s Ainsely Cuthbertson (38-2) and Franklin’s Lily DeForge (37-5).

HIGH JUMP

This one has the potential to be close with a jump-off determining the winner. Concord-Carlisle’s Charlotte DiRocco is the favorite in this event, but not by much. She has been unbeaten against her MA rivals and achieved an all-time best and state-leading 5-6.25 at a Dual County League meet on Jan. 24. DiRocco, who recently won the Div. 2 Championship, will be looking to win her first individual title at this meet since winning it all during the outdoor season as a sophomore. The field includes three others athletes that have cleared 5-6 – Tri County’s Averie Danelle, Central Catholic’s Macy Daigle and Reading’s Katie Caraco. We’re expecting North Reading’s versatile senior Giuliana Ligor to also be among the contenders. She comes in with a best of 5-5.

LONG JUMP

At last week’s Div. 1 Championship, Lincoln Sudbury’s Gabriele Pierre dominated the competition by soaring to the No. 1 spot in the state with a leap of 19-2.25, a best by more than a foot! Can Pierre repeat the magic this weekend? She’ll certainly has the competition to motivate her at the sand pit. The next five seeds for Saturday’s meet have done 18 feet or further this season. Those athletes are Pembroke’s Sarah Claflin (18-6.75), Gloucester’s Aili Spencer (18-6), Wellesley’s Annie Comella (18-6), Lawrence Academy’s Nicki Key (18-3.5) and King Philip’s Alex D’Amadio (18-0). Claflin, one of our state’s best 55-meter runners, achieved her PR at Sunday’s Div. 4 Championship. Comella, another top sprinter, has been the most solid in this event. She’s been consistently in the high 17-foot, low 18-foot range over the last month.