With so many variables, it’s never easy. But we’ll give it our best shot predicting who we feel will be some of our top track & field athletes this outdoor season. Here we feature the boys’ throwing events, which includes the shot, javelin and discus.
SHOT
Undoubtedly the favorite here is Peabody’s Alex Jackson. The talented junior was third at the Meet of Champions last spring and was our most dominant thrower this winter with an unbeaten mark against his MA rivals and an all-time best of 60 feet, 6 inches from the Division 2 Championships. Jackson, who was the individual winner at the Meet of Champions, also went 60-plus at the Nike Indoor Nationals where he earned All-American status by placing fifth with a heave of 60-5.5. We had several in the mid 50-foot range this winter, all who could be a factor inside the circle. Among them, are Greater Lowell Tech’s Dennis Mowatt (55-8.5), Amesbury’s Aiden Donovan (54-7.75), Hopedale’s Ari Levin (54-3.75) and Marlborough’s Parker Rogers (53-11.5).
JAVELIN
With three athletes in the 170-foot range, this event could get very competitive during the championship season. The top returnee is Minnechaug’s Hunter Corthell, who was fourth at the MOC and finished the season with a PR of 177-1, which tied him for No. 2 in the state. Xaverian Brothers’ Ethan Cross (172-7) and Hopkinton’s Russell Perryman (171-2) are the other two throwers that should make some noise in this event. There’s also Foxborough’s Harrison Keen and Walpole’s Matthew St. Cyr, who were seventh and eighth at last year’s MOC.
DISCUS
Seniors swept the top five spots in this event at last year’s MOC, which means will be seeing quite a few new faces in those top spots. We’re expecting Peabody’s Jackson to be among them. He never made it to the finals at year’s meet after fouling on all his attempts in the prelims. He was the top seed going into the event with a best of 169-2.25, an effort that would have won the MOC by more than seven feet. Donovan’s another athlete that could be contending for a top spot on the podium. He had a best of 158-1.25 from last year. There’s also 150 footers like Amherst-Pelham’s Logan Alfandari (151-1), Marlborough’s Parker Rogers (150-9), and Arlington’s Alexander Fitzsimmons (150-9) that could make things interesting.
