Shot Put
The Shot Put has the potential to be one of the best events on the day. We’ve highlighted the accolades of the top two seeds all season long. Mitchell Callender of Oliver Ames and Ari Levine are both in the top ten in the country this season with throws over 62 feet. Levine came into this season as the favorite after his runner up finish at last spring’s Meet of Champions. However, Callender dismissed that notion with his state leading 62-7.25. So, who wins this weekend? Shot Put, like all field events, can be fickle. Both athletes have been consistent all season. In a perfect world we’d see PRs from both. Noah Williams of Attleboro is the #3 seed at 56-7.25. Could he pull of the massive upset? It’s not unpresented. Fields Events can be unpredictable.
Long Jump
Can Catholic Memorial go 1,2,3 like they did at State Coaches? That’s one burning question heading into this weekend. Another one: How far will Amar Skeete jump? At that same meet Amar came within an inch of the state record of 24-3.75. He’ll have a few more chances, but wouldn’t it be great to see it go down at the Meet of Champs?
The Long Jump Field is exceptional this year, with five over 23 feet. Three of which are from Catholic Memorial. Is it a battle for second, or can someone pull off the upset over Skeete? Teammate Jelani Semper is the #2 seed at 23-7. Add in Jameson Booker at 23-0.50, and the Knights could steal the show. While they’ll be competing against one another, having teammates alongside you in an event like this is huge. Looking to break them up are Southeastern Regional’s Giovani Ribeiro and Lexington’s Simon Tandeih who have both cleared 23 this season as well. Watch out for Wakefield’s JaMauri Belmer who has a PR of 23-6.75 from outdoors.
High Jump
The High Jump can be one of the hardest to predict. Carlos Quintana of Central Catholic has the best jump in the state this season at 6-8. If he can duplicate that effort, the title should be his. He’s coming off a win and a 6-6 performance from Sunday’s Division 1 Championship which should give him confidence. Tyson Stroope of Saint John’s Prep was runner up there and holds a best of 6-6 as he looks for the upset. Lowell’s Paris Mbeca is the #2 seed at 6-7 and is more than capable of taking the crown. Joseph Case’s Ben Deady won the Coaches Invite back in January where he bet many of the same jumpers he’ll see this weekend. JaMauri Belmer is coming off a win and a PR from the Division 4 Champions where he jumped 6-6. His team needed the win last week, so he knows how to deliver under pressure.
Weight Throw
Saturday’s meet will also feature the Weight Throw. Lexington’s Franz Schroeder enters as the favorite with a PR of 61-9.75. He was seventh at last year’s meet and is the top returner. Shane Archer of Tech Boston Academy will look to have his best day of the season. His PR of 57-4 came recently at the Boston Public Schools Championships. While he’s most likely more focused on the potential duel in the Shot Put, Ari Levine is also exceptional in the Weight Throw. While he may he be an underdog here, he holds an impressive PR of 57-0.5. Ryan Morin of Hopkinton, Christian Brown of Lexington, and Dash Correira of Nipmuc Regional have all thrown over 55 this season as well.
