MA Outdoor T&F Preview: Boys' Sprint Events


This past indoor season the 55-meter dash was a hotly-contested event with Milton's Smith Charles edging Northampton's Nikolas Smith for the title for his second straight crown.

It could be more of the same this spring with a few more added to the mix. As a freshman in 2016, Charles captured the state title with an all-time best 10.77 seconds. He was fourth last year (10.99), right behind Needham's Davonte Burnett (third, 10.99). Also making it to the finals was Wahconah Regional's Matt Lighten (sixth, 11.17) and Holy Name's Kevin Mensah (seventh, 11.21). With talented like this, we could see several cracking 11 seconds this spring. But the target is squarely on the singlet of Charles, who once again demonstrated his speed and versatility during the indoor season. The Milton sprinter was undefeated in the 100m last year as a ninth-grader in all his major meets and placed fourth at the New England's. Charles, who was the state's best long-jumper and one of the top high-jumpers this winter, will more than likely aiming for prosperity at the outdoor nationals. He was eighth for 60m at the indoor meet. In 2016, a time of 10.63 or better made it to the finals of the 100m, a time that would certainly seem in the range of Charles based on what he's done so far in his young career. 

Smith would appear to be the runner to beat in the 200m where he is the reigning champion. The Northampton standout was the 300m state titlist this past winter and was second to two-time All-American Mark Doyley (Weaver, CT) at the New England's. He had a best of 21.62 for 200m, which he did to win the divisional championships. Smith will certainly be challenged in his attempt at a two-peat. Three of the runners that placed among the top six are returning this season with Lexington's Noah Shute (third, 22.10), Wilmington's Joe Gaudreau (fifth, 22.26) and Sharon's Xavier Hackett (sixth, 22.50).