Before we begin, we’d like to stress one thing. There are multiple events at the Division State Championships that could be on this list. After all, the best of the best in each division have earned their right to compete on the big stage. We’d like to congratulations all of these fine athletes that will be competing this weekend. Your hard work and your dedication to this great sport has paid off. Well done!
So, without further adieu, here’s our pics for the five girls and five boys events that we consider the top ones to watch in Division 3 at Bridgewater State University on Thursday and Saturday.
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GIRLS
200 meter dash (Thursday at 5:15 p.m.)
It doesn’t happen often. In this event, we have three runners that have broken 25 seconds – Sharon’s Nina Kyei-Aboagye (24.54), Oliver Ames’ Grace OKocha (24.64) and Mansfield’s Chloe Guthrie (24.99). The meet record of 24.4 was set way back in 1984. Could we see that 40-year-old mark go down on Thursday?
Two Mile (Thursday at 6:15 p.m.)
This one has the potential to be close with several still in contention late in the race. Based on seed times, the top four are separated by less than five seconds. Leading the way is ninth-grader Gianna McGowan of Billerica with a best of 11 minutes, 6.0 seconds. She’s followed by Oliver Ames’ Katie Sobieraj (11:08.30), Westfield’s Megan Moran (11:08.75), and Marblehead’s Marrietta O’Connell (11:10.49).
High Jump (Saturday at 2:30 p.m.)
Six athletes this season are tied for the state lead with a best of 5 feet, 6 inches in this event. One of them is in this event. Reading Memorial’s Katie Caraco holds the No. 1 with her best done back on April 23 in a league meet. She was our runner-up at the Meet of Champions this past winter. Caraco knows how to perform in meets like this. And by the way, she’s also the No. 1 seed in the triple jump.
Long Jump (Saturday at 4:30 p.m.)
This event has a chance to be very competitive with the top four seeds exceeding 18 feet this season. Guthrie is the best of the bunch with a distance of 18-7.5. Reading’s Isabelle Lightbody (18-5), Masconomet’s Lauren Boughner (18-4) and Oliver Ames’ frosh Lavender Kozaka (18-0.75) are the next three seeds.
100m dash (Saturday at 4:20 p.m.)
One of the state’s quickest for the short dash is expected to answer the gun with No. 1 seed Nina Kyei-Aboagye on the line. She comes in with a best of 11.84 hand held. Her top time electronically is 12.16, which she did to place second at the Coaches Invitational on May11. She’s matched up against a trio of other fleet-footed runners – Okucha (12.04), Mansfield’s Abigail Scott (12.14) and Guthrie (12.18). Can you say lean at the finish?
BOYS
200m dash (Thursday at 5:10 p.m.)
Oh boy, this could be a fast one! Walpole’s Austin Feener is the top seed based on his best of 21.94hh. Worcester Tech’s Michael Gyimah (22.18) and Somerset’s Camden Rose (22.21) are right there, too.
800m (Thursday at 5:45 p.m.)
Seven guys in this one have broken two minutes. Sitting at the top is No. 1 seed Shane Leslie, a sophomore from Billerica, with a best of 1:56.46. Walpole’s Sean Kerin (1:57.52) and Dartmouth’s Tyler Medeiros (1:58.11) occupy the 2-3 seeds. Keep an eye on Ryan Leslie. The Billerica senior is the eight seed with a time of 2:00.54. The older brother of Shane is a 4:19 miler. Actually he’s the two seed in that event on Saturday. In a race he seldom runs, he’s proven he has the ability to run a mid-1:50 time in this event.
Two Mile (Thursday at 6:45 p.m.)
The one-year-old meet record of 9:06.48 by Oliver Ames’ Ryan Sarney could be in jeopardy this weekend. The one we feel has a chance is his former teammate, Brendan Thomas. Hey, at least it’s the same school. Thomas brings a best of 9:06.27 to the line, a time he ran to finish second to state-leader Adam Balewicz at the Weston Twilight Invitational a few weeks ago, a race that Balewicz clocked 8:59.79.
Long Jump (Saturday at 3 p.m.)
You’re kidding, right? No we’re not. Five in this event have leaped further than 22 feet! Mansfield’s Chamberlain Guthrie is at the No. 1 seed with a season best of 22-10.5. Guthrie was the Div. 3 indoor champion with his all-time best of 23-0.5. Could we see another 23-footer? Walpole’s John Daher (22-5.75), Westfield’s Antoinio Adams (22-4.5), Stoughton’s Alex Huynh (22-1) and Mansfield’s Evan Thevenot (22-0) will certainly make this event interesting.
Javelin (Saturday at 3:15 p.m.)
It’s not often you see two 180-footers in the meet like this, but you will on Saturday. MInnechaug’s Hunter Corthell is the top seed with a distance of 188-3. Matthew St. Cyr of Walpole holds the two spot with his best of 181-1.
