Graduation wiped out the top six finishers in the discus at last year's All State Meet. What does that mean? Judging by returning athletes, it means this event is wide open in terms of who will come out on top at the June 3 championship meet.
Among all those coming back, Nashoba Regional's Sam Keith owns the top distance with his heave of 152-6 from his victory at the District E Boys Invitational. Westford's Ajeya Balasubramanyam (seventh, 145-9) and Boston College High's Evan Ohuabunwa (eighth, 142-8) both made it to the podium at the states, The tandem has to be in the conversation when talking about possible contenders. There's also mid-140 throwers James Feinberg of Belmont (144-11) and Newton North's Nathan Baronowski (144-6).
The Bay State has certainly had its share of quality shot-putters the last two years. At the 2016 All State Meet, the top eight finishers all surpassed the 50-foot mark. This past indoor season, five reached the milestone. It should be more of the same this spring. Nathan Klein of Newton North (54-9) and Manny Teo of Marlborough (54-0) lead a talented contingent that will be competing inside the circle. Teo and Klein finished 2-4 at the indoor states behind Dartmouth's Colin McCabe, who has not competed during the outdoor season the last three years. Will that change this year after his incredible indoor campaign where he set a school record with his career best of 57-10 from the MSTCA Coaches Invitational? There's no word on that right now. Nashoba's Keith (52-0.75) and Boston College's High's Pat Watson (52-0.75), who was third at the indoor states, are other competitors that could battle up front.
In the javelin, Reading Memorial's Mark Porter is the early-season favorite. He was the only non-senior to make it to the podium last year, pacing fourth overall. He had a best of 176-9 from the Eastern Division 2 Championships. Masconomet Regional's Matt Qirici was second in that meet with the next best throw among all returnees of 171-0. This year's field will include eight more athletes that have thrown at least 160 feet.