It's too bad the fans inside The Armory this weekend won't get the opportunity to witness the full extent of the field events at the New Balance Nationals. But as been standard throughout the years, there will plenty of cool things happening away from the track oval.
One event that should draw a lot of attention is the pole vault where national record-holder Armand Duplantis of Louisiana has a chance to clear an unheard of 19 feet. Duplantis came close to that mark at the NYRR Millrose Games last month when he won with a height of 18-10.75. Duplantis, who is more than a foot higher than his closest competitor this weekend, should steal the spotlight in this event. But there are plenty more in the field that should make it competitive for the other top placements, including North Andover's Erick Duffy. Duffy was able to see first-hand Duplantis record-breaking performance at Millrose, finishing fourth in the event with a best of 16-1.75 (US #14).
Old Rochester's Danny Renwick will have a busy weekend. Renwick is entered in the high jump and the indoor pentathlon, two events he has potential to place high. Renwick is tied for No. 5 in the country in the high jump where he has a best of 6-10. The pentathlon, which consists of the 60m hurdles, shot put, high junp, long jump and 1,000m, would appear to suit the versatile senior just fine. He was one of the state's top hurdlers. He's also thrown close to 40 feet for the shot, has leaped nearly 20 feet in the long jump and has done 2:44 for the 1K.
The girls' high jump will feature recent New England champion Zoe Dainton of Hingham, who is tied for No. 14 in the country with her best of 5-8. This will be Dainton's first time on the national stage and all signs appear positive for the talented junior.
In the other two jumping events, Worcester Tech's Adja Sackor will be looking for a top placement. She is ranked No. 17 in the country in the long jump with a distance of 19-2. She hasn't done the triple jump yet this winter season, but she has gone further than 40 feet on the outdoor surface and owns an indoor best of 38-5.5.
The boys' long jump will include Milton's Smith Charles, who last weekend leaped an all-time best of 23-2 to capture the New England Championship. After his victory, Charles indicated the best is yet to come and believes he's capable of exceeding 24 feet. If he can accomplish that goal, he could sneak into a top six placement.
NBNI CHAMPIONSHIP FIELD EVENTS
GIRLS
High jump
Erika Blackett, Wellesley
Isabel Bruno, Winchester
Julia Jordahl-Henry, Wellesley
Sierra Rudolph, Gloucester
Zoe Dainton, Hingham
Long jump
Adja Sackor, Worcester Tech
Triple jump
Sackor, Worcester Tech
BOYS
High jump
Danny Renwick, Old Rochester
Nik Reardon, St. John Prep
Fernando Lamin, Burlington
Long jump
Smith Charles, Milton
Pole vault
Erick Duffy, North Andover