Event spotlight
A brief look at some of the intriguing Division 3 match-ups scheduled for this weekend.
Boys
300 Meter Dash - 5 athletes have run sub 37 seconds, led by top seed Kevin Pearson of Melrose at 36.47. Pearson is currently ranked #17 in the state, but Matt Taylor of Bishop Feehan is not far behind at 36.65. The battle for the top 3 automatic qualifying spots will be fierce and the break for the inside lane will be key.
600 Meter Run – Patrick Brekka (Quabbin Reg.) is the top seed and the #1 athlete in the state at 600m. His seed time of 1:21.46 is just over a half-second faster than the meet record of 1:22.03 set in 1998 by Kobie Fuller. Brekka is very impressive, but he will not go uncontested. Jair Crukashank (Nashoba Reg.) is the #2 seed and #3 in the state at 1:22.06. Rounding-out the very impressive field is MA#13 Matt Jessup of Westwood, MA#19 Nathan Downs of Wilmington, and MA#26 Zach Hutchinson of Hopkinton.
1 Mile Run – This one will be a dog fight for the top 3 spots, and you may see several athletes run under 4:22.00. David Taranto of Burlington is the top seed at 4:25.62. He is joined by Wesley Gallagher of Pembroke (4:25.78), Brett Baker of Wayland (4:28.05), Brendan Adams of Pembroke (4:28.21), Jonathan McKinley of Duxbury (4:29.24) and Mike McConville of Hingham (4:29.83). Keep in mind that Pembroke competed in the Nike National Cross Country Championships in December and should be nearing mid-winter form after the late end to their fall season.
2 Mile Run – Andy Powell’s 1999 2 Mile record of 9:03.53 will be safe for another year. Ryan Kelly of Pembroke is the top seed at 9:40.57 and he has a 10 second advantage (at least on paper) over Mike McConville of Hingham. McConville is also scheduled to run the mile but you may see him scratch an event prior to the meet. Brendan Sullivan of Foxborough is seeded 3rd at 9:52.48 and will have to fend-off six other runners that have posted sub 10 minute times.
Shot Put- The second best event of the day will be the shot put; as it features the #7, #8, and #11 throwers in the state. There will be a tremendous battle for the win between Tim McMakin of Bishop Feehan (51’10.25”), Cody Lusas of Melrose (51’9.75”), and Joe Hoffman of Burlington who is seeded 3rd at 50’8.75”.
High Jump – This is by far the best high jump competition in the state and may be the best event of the day. Sam Yoder is the top seed and #2 in the state at 6’8”. He will have plenty of company over 6’4” with Matt Sidney (Canton) seeded second at 6’7”, Jeff Corkum (Hopkinton) seeded 3rd at 6’4”, and freshman Adam Couitt (Somerset) seeded 4th at 6’4”. We may even see Jim Turlo’s 1976 record of 6’7” fall.
Long Jump – 10 athletes enter the event over 20ft. Weldy Senat (Dennis-Yarmouth) and Olisa Obiefuna (Saugus) are the top seeds and tied at #4 in the state with marks of 21’7.25”. Joining them will be Anthony Carter of Quabbin Regional and Sam Yoder of Bishop Feehan at 20’10”. Yoder is also scheduled to compete in the 55m hurdles and the high jump; something he is accustomed to doing. His success will be the product of his ability to manage the chaos and a little bit of luck with the event start times.
4x800m Relay – The meet record of 8:17.44 set last year by Burlington is definitely in jeopardy as 3 teams have already run under that time. Pembroke is seeded #1 at 8:14.04, followed by Burlington (8:14.89) and Westwood (8:15.42). Add Medfield at 8:17.95 and Bishop Feehan at 8:20.96 and we should have 2 miles of racing that comes down to the wire.
4x400m – Bishop Feehan is the top seed and #4 in the state at 3:39.28. Look for them to improve on that time and challenge the meet record of 3:28.39 behind anchor leg Billy Looney. Looney is the top seed in the 1000m and is ranked #2 in the state in that event. But, Bishop Feehan will be challenged again by Randolph. The Blue Devils have been impressive in the relays this season and are seeded #2 in the 4x400 and the 4x200.
Boys Team Predictions (based on seed times/marks)
1. Bishop Feehan (66)
2. Pembroke (49)
3. Burlington (29)
4. Hingham (25)
5. Randolph (24)
6. Canton (23)
7. Hopkinton (20)
8. Melrose (18)
9. Dennis-Yarmouth (18)
10. Bishop Stang (18)
Girls
55 Meter Hurdles – Alex Stanton is the top seed and ranked 4th in the state at 8.49. But freshman sensation Angie Higgins of Milton has been getting better each week and boasts a 7.65 55m PR.
1000 Meter Run – This race features the #5, #6, and #9 runners in the state; who can all potentially break the 3 minute barrier. Nora Smith (Westwood) is the #1 seed at 3:00.54, followed by Tamara Mills of Hopkinton at 3:00.73, and Mairead Kiernan of Milton at 3:01.48. You should see this pack of 3 break away from the field and battle for the win.
1 Mile Run - Viviana Hanley (Bishop Feehan) opened the season sub 5:20 and has consistently posted time around 5:15 all season long. She ran her season best and #1 seed time of 5:10.00 at the MSTCA Girls Invitational where she was 3rd. In addition, she has run 5:04.69 outdoors and has the potential to break the 5 minute barrier. To do that, she will need the help of Kellie Lodge (Hopkinton) who is seeded 2nd at 5:15.38 and Heather Connick (Pembroke) who is seeded 3rd at 5:16.57.
2 Mile Run – Once again, Viviana Hanley is the top seed here also at 11:20.34, but if she attempts the double it may open the door for Camille Blackman of Longmeadow who is seeded 2nd at 11:28.24. Blackman is the PVIAC champion at 2 miles and was 4th in the 1000m in the same meet. Vying for the 3rd automatic qualifying spot will be Jordan O’Dea of Dennis-Yarmouth who is seeded 3rd at 11:28.40. You should see this pack of 3, along with Rebeca Morse of Pentucket, break away from the field mid-race.
Shot Put – This very strong field features 6 girls that have marks over 34ft. Top seed Vickie Palamatier from Holliston is #7 in the state at 36’4.5”. Not far behind is Haley Linehan of Bishop Feehan who is the #2 seed and #9 in the state at 36’1”.
Long Jump – Becky Stoyle (Pembroke) is the #1 seed in both the long jump (17’9”) and the 300m (40.73). She brings a tremendous amount of runway speed to the event and some very impressive credentials. She will be challenged by Bionca St. Fleur of Melrose is seeded 2nd and is #3 in the state at 17’6.5” and East Longmeadow teammates Ali McMahon and Julia Weithofer who are seeded 3rd (17’0.25”) and 4th (16’10.25) respectively.
4x200 Meter Relay – The girls 4x200m is up for grabs! Medfield, East Longmeadow, Melrose, and Bishop Feehan are all separated by under a second at 1:48. And, do not overlook Hingham who has Molly Clark (MA#15 in the 55m) and Westwood who has Tayla Allen (MA#9 in the 55m).
4x800 Meter Relay – Bishop Feehan may not be able to match their meet record time of 9:41.34 from last year, but they are certainly in the hunt for the win. They are seeded 3rd at 9:53.02 behind Pembroke (9:51.88) and Burlington (9:50.63).
4x400 Meter Relay – Northhampton is the top seed at 4:06.94, but #2 seed Pembroke has Mary Scanlan who is #2 in the state at 600m. Add Duxbury to the mix at 4:08.29 and you have a relay that should come down to the final leg.
Girls Team Predictions (based on seed times/marks)
Pembroke (66)
Bishop Feehan (52)
Hopkinton (39)
Hingham (35)
Medfield (34)
Westwood (30)
Melrose (28)
East Longmeadow (28)
Northampton (27)
Milton (23)
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