The MSTCA Freshmen-Sophomore Meet has moved to later in the season than it’s usual spot in early January, with the hope of creating more of a Championship Environment. Looking through the entries, that appears to be the case. Let’s take a look at some must watch races.
300m:
There was once a time when cracking 36 seconds in the 300 was rare. Those days are long gone as 21 athletes have already cracked that barrier this season. Saturday’s field is led by Acton-Boxborough ace Taran Lerra who’s run 35.86 this season. Lerra currently has the 16th best time in the state and leads an outstanding field. Saint John’s Prep Andrew Beckwith and Snowden International’s Nasir Camillie are poised to join and challenge the best sprinters from earlier in the day.
Mile:
Like the girl’s field, the boy’s mile should be outstanding and is also led by a freshman. Coming off a standout Cross Country season, Hopedale’s Quinn Cook is knocking on the 4:30 barrier’s door. He’s run 4:30.03 this season. That could change Saturday. The field is deep with 11 runners under 4:40 and quite a few should be nipping at Cook’s heels. BC High’s Joseph Hayes looks to be the next great Eagle and enters with a 4:34.33 best, just ahead of North Andover’s Liam Rand at 4:35.09. Keep an eye on Cambridge Freshmen Thomas Dewitt. To say his first XC season was outstanding would be an understatement, and so far, he’s lived up to the expectations on the track.
Long Jump:
Two boys come in Saturday having cleared 21 feet: Theo Ezzat of Newton North at 21’3.5” and Jayden Montero of Millis at 21’0.75”. The duo could provide a phenomenal back and forth if they’re both on their game. Both have set their PRS this indoor season. Caedon Cristo of Shepherd Hill has the potential to play spoiler. His PR of 20’10” was set at the Northeast Invitational so he knows how to compete when the lights are bright. Perhaps a Freshmen-Sophomore title could spur him on.
55 Meter:
16 boys enter this meet having run under 6.90. Just getting into the final will be tough. Woburn’s Jonathan Verdier leads the field with a 6.65. He’s cracked 6.70 twice this season and will need to be tip top if he hopes to win. Weston’s Jacob Kasanov has yet to reach that mark this season but ran 6.68 as a freshmen last year. Isaiah Christian of BC High and Suchaye Susaria of Acton-Boxborough both enter having run under 6.80.
2 Mile:
Like some of the previous mentioned athletes, Parker Charter’s Jett Johnson had a phenomenal fall season as a member of the Division 3 Champion Panthers. He has the potential to run away with Saturday’s race. Johnson has run 9:43.08 this season, good for 17th in the state. He has close to twenty seconds on his next competitor on paper. Saint John’s Prep Sam Valentine and Belmont’s William Olmstead are on the cusp of sub 10 minutes, having run 10:01 and 10:03. If they decide to go with Johnson, they could make things interesting.
