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 1 on Friday and Sunday at Westfield State University.
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GIRLS
Mile/800-meter run (Sunday at 4:40 p.m./Friday at 5:40 p.m.)
We paired these events together because they feature one of our state’s best, Westford Academy’s Abilgail Hennessey, The WA sophomore is the state-leader in the 800m with a best of 2:12.71 and ranks No. 2 in the mile with a PR of 4:53.32. In both races, she’ll have some competition to contend with this weekend. In the mile, she’s matched up with Brookline’s Audrey Seeger who has also gone sub-5 with a best of 4:59.64. For the 800m, 13 runners have gone under 2:20, including our 2-3 seeds, Framingham’s Sasha Lamakina (2:14.14) and Newton South’s Emily Frawley (2:14.38).
4x400m relay (Sunday at 6:40 p.m.)
This one could be exciting, very exciting. On the line are the only two teams that have broken four minutes this season – Framingham (3:58.54) and Lowell (3:39.34). Close behind is Central Catholic with an impressive 4:02.94.
4x800m relay (Sunday, 5:50 p.m.)
Here’s another relay that could be RELAY fast! The top seed is Brookline with a state No. 2 of 9:27.93. Westford Academy is the second seed with a best of 9:29.95. Andover is the No. 3 seed with a best of 9:32.10. Last year, Wellesley had the state-leading 9:17.59. The winner of this race may not approach that time, but given the talent on the line and the magnitude of the meet, it could be close, at the very least, a low 9:20.
Pole Vault (Friday at 4 p.m.)
This event features two 11-footers with Acton-Boxborough’s Emerson Gould (11-4) and Lexington’s Katelyn Atkins (11-0) the top two seeds. At the three seed is Andover’s Lily Brown with a not-too-shabby 10-7 best.
Pentathlon (Friday, beginning at 3 p.m.)
She’s the No. 1 seed in the 300m hurdles (1:01.88) and a two seed in the 100m hurdles (14.79). But in this event, Sarah Dumas is not only the top seed, but the state record-holder. Last year the Franklin senior established the current state mark of 3,518 points at the New Balance Nationals where she was second overall. That might be a number to keep an eye on this weekend when Dumas answers the gun.
BOYS
Mile (Sunday at 4:55 p.m.)
Like the last few years, we could be in for a real treat in this one. This field is absolutely loaded. The No. 1 seed is defending champion Paul Bergeron of Westford Academy. In 2023, Bergeron nearly broke the state record with a winning time and all-time best of 8:51.88. The Stanford-bound senior has a season best of 9:11.20 from his win at the Dual County League Championships. Cambridge Rindge & Latin’s Paulino Guevara Mateo (9:11.38) and Boston College High’s (9:11.78) have all done in the 9:11s and the next three are under 9:20 with Lexington’s Joseph Ryan (9:12.66), Boston Latin’s Bilal Elhaji (9:13.71) and Brookline’s Ben Kasen (9:18.31). Look out for Westford Academy’s Jack Graffeo. He’s the No. 9 seed with a best of 9:25.0. He’s capable of a lot faster. Just a few weeks ago, the WA junior ran 4:10 at the BSR Elite Scholastic Mile. Don’t be surprised to see a sub-9 performance winning this race. Also, don’t be surprised to see more than one under that milestone.
400m Hurdles (Friday at 5:30 p.m.)
This could get insane! It features our state’s top five hurdlers and a few more than can make an impact. Our five best include Lexington’s McKenna O’Hare Gibson (54.18), Xaverian Brothers’ Kisgen Mitchell (54.23), Westford Academy’s Ryan Kyle (54.74), Acton-Boxborough’s Noah Stegmeier (54.88), and Brockton’s Jared Mighty (55.20). The state and D1 record is 53.30 by Brockton’s Jordan Williams in 2019. It’s not out of the realm of possibilities that Jordan’s mark could be challenged this weekend.
400m (Sunday at 5:20 p.m.)
Get rid of the hurdles and, yes, we could have another crazy race. We do expect our No. 1 seed to win this race. The owner of that seed, Natanael Vigo Catala , is about a solid as they come when in race like this one. The Haverhill senior ran a season best of 47.85 at the MVC League Championships on Sunday. With the right kind of conditions, the right kind of race, Vigo Catala is capable of getting that time in the low 47s, possibly faster. He certainly has the talent to push him. Six others in this race have seeds under 50 second. Brookline’s Andrew Bamberg is the next fastest behind Vigo Catala with a seed of 49.08.
4x400m relay (Sunday at 6:55 p.m.)
Guess it’s all about 400m in this meet. For the conclusion of the two-day meet, you couldn’t have a more fitting race to cap things off. The top six teams in this field have seeds under 3:25. At least two of them might have a chance at going under 3:20 this weekend- Xaverian Brothers (3:20.47) and Acton-Boxborough (3:21.85).
Triple Jump (Friday at 5 p.m.)
At the Bay State Conference Championships on May 15, Natick’s Matthew Acquah leaped a nearly two-foot best with a state-leading 47-3. Could he catch lightning in a bottle once again this weekend?
Long Jump (Sunday at 3 p.m.)
We know it’s extra, but we to add this one. How can you ignore a pair of 23-footers? That’s what this event offers with 1-2 seeds – Ryan Kyle of Westford Academy (23-8) and Saint John’s Antonio Wiafe (23-0.50). The three seed is not too bad either. That belongs to Natick’s Dylan Weddle, who has a best of 22-11.
