Jumping, Throwing Events
The high jump should be hotly contested. The event features three athletes that have cleared 6-8 or higher in their careers. Augustus Karweh of Central (RI) achieved an all-time best of 6-10 on the outdoor surface last year and twice has done 6-7 this winter. Connecticut's Ja'Kawan Hale of Derby and Chet Ellis of Staples have both leaped 6-8. Hale recently did it to win the State Open. MA entries Mario Bresko of North Attleboro and Algonquin's Alex Lemieux, who won his first state title this past weekend, bring 6-6 best to the meet.
The meet record of 23-10 has a chance at being eclipsed in the long jump, an event that features a trio of 23-footers. Smith Charles of Milton (MA) is the reigning NE indoor and outdoor champion, and has gone over 23 feet numerous times this season, including a best of 23-6.25 at the Greater Boston Track Club Invitational on Jan. 21. Top seed Dyshon Vaughn of Career (CT) has leaped more than 23 feet his last four meets, capped by an all-time best and winning effort of 23-8.5 at the CIAC State Open. Yang has a 23-1.25 leap to his credit.
Maine's Jason Montano of Thornton Academy leads the shot-putters. He won the Maine Class A title with a distance of 57-1.25 and improved on that effort by more than a foot this past weekend with a first-place toss of 58-8.5 at the USATF ME Indoor Championship. Kris Selanis of Athol, the MA state titlist, comes into the meet with a 56-1.75 best. Fellow rival Tom Aicardi of Boston College High has also exceeded 56 feet with a PB of 56-0.75.