The time has come to run fast, and if last week is any indication, we should see a complete makeover of the state rankings following the conclusion of the MSTCA Invitational. Here is a look at some of the intriguing matchups based on the performance list that was released on Tuesday. Keep in mind that some of the seed times submitted by coaches were projected performances and not actual marks from this season.
Sprints and Hurdles
The weather over the past two months has not been very conducive to fast sprint times, but if the current forecast holds, we may finally see times that in-line with the talent level of the state. Dissecting a sprint performance list that is mainly comprised of hand times is difficult at best, but there are some former champions and several very consistent performers that are sure to put on a good show.
The boys 100m final may be a dead heat with 9 athletes that have run 10.9 or faster. Any of the 9 can win the event, but keep an eye out for Phito Gondre. The New Bedford star has the deepest resume of the bunch.
The girls 100m hurdles might just be the race of the day with 8 of the top 10 performers in the state slated to compete. Vanessa Clerveaux of Brockton (14.50) is the clear favorite following her outstanding indoor season, but she will be challenged by Kayla Wong of Newton North and Kristen McDonagh of Mansfield. Nicole Genard of Somerville is seeded 4th at 15.00 and hiding in the pack at 7th is Karla Ganley of Wellesley (15.30).
For once, Greg Boursiquot of Stoughton is not the pre-race favorite ……at least on paper. Josh Quinnie of Attleboro is the top seed in the 110m hurdles with a time of 14.10, but Boursiquot is not far behind at 14.40. This is a matchup we have been waiting to see but it may not be just a two person race. The Rockland boys have been impressive lately in the sprints and Terrence Gibson is seeded 3rd at 14.90. Look for Boursiquot to occupy the center of the track in the finals and receive a challenge from both sides through the first 5 hurdles.
16 male athletes have run under 23.00 for 200m and getting to the finals will take an all-out effort for most. Ian Peuser of Rockland has been a force over the past couple of weeks and he sits atop the seed list at 22.00. But Donovan Henry of Catholic Memorial is not one to back down from a challenge. Henry has good momentum entering the meet, having just run 21.7 against BC High on Tuesday, and plenty of experience.
Both 400m races look to be fantastic. Jen Esposito is the top seed with a time of 58.60, but 8 other girls have run under 60 seconds. Jade Paul of Stoughton is seeded 2nd at 58.80, followed by Carly Muscaro of Ashland at 58.84. But do not discount Kendal Knous of Franklin who is seeded 4th at 58.90. Knous is a strong 800m runner with a 2:12 PR and will have the advantage if the weather is poor. The other wildcard in the group is 8th grader Amy Piccolo of Ursuline Academy. She seems to get better each week and the added experience she gained at the Weston Twilight meet and the Girls Catholic Conference Championships should pay dividends.
Five athletes have the potential to run under 50 seconds in the boys 400m if all goes well. Isiaih Penn leads a very strong group of 9 athletes that have run 50.70 or better. Included in that group is Andre Rolim of Somerville, Steve Gannon of Mansfield, and Nathen Pieerie-Louis of Waltham, all at 50.10. In addition, Mike Galasso (St. John’s Prep) has run 58.36 in the 400m hurdles and is seeded 8th at 50.70.
Distance
You only have so many distance races in your legs during the season and many notable 2 milers have decided to drop down to the mile as they work on their foot speed in preparation for the post season. Megan Ross of Franklin wins races by inflicting prolonged agony on her competitors. Ross is notorious for pushing the pace early and is clockwork with her splits. Although she is not the top seed, expect Ross to take the lead early and push the pace with teammate Lauren Hagen. Lauren Columbare of Mansfield looked very tough at the MSTCA Relays, and she will be joined by Brianna Venturo (Coyle & Cassidy) and Nora Smith (Westwood) in the front pack.
Joel Hubbard of Marshfield showed the rest of the state that he has the foot speed to run under 4:10 by winning the Weston Twilight Invitational 800m in 1:55.36. The question remains, can Hubbard hang on to Shayne Collins for all four laps? Having teammate Kevin Thomas in the race will help Hubbard, but Andrew Hood (Franklin), David Taranto (Burlington), Ben Halpin (Saint John’s), and Drew Beck (Oliver Ames) will look to break-up the duo and keep the pack in contact with Collins. If the first half is slow, this can become anybody’s race.
The Boys 800m has the ability to go under 1:55 if Ezra Lichtman (Newton North) and Josh Lampron (Mansfield) push the pace early. If the pack waits for Lichtman and Lampron to make a move, look for Patrick Coppinger of Lowell to take over the lead and force the pace. Coppinger is accustomed to longer distances and can string-out the pack if the rest of the field does not respond quickly.
Field Events
Nick Staley of BC High has been fairly quiet so far this season. He is the top seed in the high jump at 6’9” and has jumped 6’10” in the past. He will be challenged by Carl Joseph of Brockton who remains undefeated on the season and is tied with Kevin Nichols (Nauset), Tristan Richardson (North Attleboro), and Kevin Cutler (Attleboro) at 6’4”. Hiding in the pack at 6’2” is Matt Sidney of Canton who has jumped 6’9” and is always a factor at this time of year.
The boys long jump features the familiar match-up of Craig Langes (Woburn) and Phito Gondre (New Bedford). Langes is the #1 seed at 22’5” but Gondre and Terrance Gibson (Rockland) are not far behind at 22’3”. Olisa Obiefana of Saugus will be in the mix, and the winner will probably be the athlete that makes the best adjustments to the gusting winds. Langes and Obiefana will also square-off in the triple jump where they will take-on Tchuijo Nkamebo of Amherst-Pelham.
A few athletes are so good at their events that fans would truly be missing something if they didn't venture out to the various field event areas to catch a glimpse. Carla Forbes of Newton North enters the triple jump as the only athlete over 40 feet. Similarly, Courtney Williams of New Bedford is the only thrower with a mark over 40 feet in the shot put. Williams leads the state at 42’0”; almost 6 feet ahead of the #2 seed.
Kyle Quinn of Somerset hit the national rankings and turned some heads with his 204’9” javelin throw at the Penn Relays. The #1 mark in the country right now is 213’0” and Quinn has a 2010 PR of 217’11”. It's only a matter of time before he challenges for the national lead.
The boys shot put will be a preview of the All-State Championships as Swardick Mayanja, Don Caouette, Sean Enos, and Tresley Dupont do battle. All four have thrown over 53 feet and they rarely finish in the order the seed list would indicate.
Relays
Both 4x100m relay events will come down to clean exchanges. We may see a sub 50 second performance on the girls’ side, with Hingham, Natick, Brockton, and Newton North in the mix. Newton North brings some big names to the event, but Brockton has looked impressive and Vanessa Clerveaux does not like to finish second.
On the boys’ side, Rockland has the most athletic looking group of sprinters in the state. At the Division 4 Relays they looked like a collegiate team that got lost and ended up at the wrong meet. But Mansfield, Attleboro, and Catholic Memorial have been at the top of the heap for a while and it will take a remarkable performance from Rockland to pull-off a win. Fortunately for Rockland, it’s something they are capable of.
The girls 4x800 looks to be a 3 team race with Franklin leading the way. Needham and Newton North will need to be diligent and patient in closing the gap on Franklin if Kendal Knous leads-off, and the race may come down to the final lap if they can manage that gap.
We may see 2 or 3 teams run under 4 minutes in the girls 4x400m relay. Wellesley, Mansfield, Stoneham, and Waltham all have plenty of depth to accomplish such a feat.
Almost every team in the boys 4x400m relay has an impressive anchor leg, and it would be a remarkable end to the meet if we were able to see Andre Rolim, Griffin Robertson, Joel Hubbard, Mike Giardina, Bo Lewis Jr., and Peter Farlow even at the final exchange. Mansfield has the most depth in the group but they also have a big day planned with other events. Fatigue and tenacity will play a big factor in this one.
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Meet Links:
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The time has come to run fast, and if last week is any indication, we should see a complete makeover of the state rankings following the conclusion of the MSTCA Invitational. Here is a look at some of the intriguing matchups based on the performance list that was released on Tuesday. Keep in mind that some of the seed times submitted by coaches were projected performances and not actual marks from this season.