The performance list is out and, as expected, the fields are strong for Saturday’s Classical Classic at Conley Stadium. With the meet acting as the first state qualifier, did you expect anything different? We sifted through the entries and picked out what we consider may be some of the best events of the day.
So, here you go.
PERFORMANCE LIST
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BOYS’ HAMMER
As usual, this event features some of the top throwers in the country. Lincoln’s Christian Toro (226 feet, 5 inches) and North Kingstown’s Ethan Wordell (219-9) own the No. 1 and No. 2 spots in the nation and both will be competing at Saturday’s meet. There’s also Hendricken’s Keith Daigneau, who ranks sixth with a 201-2 best. Toro finished second last week at the New York Relays with a distance of 208-7. You know he’ll be focused on getting back in the 220s or higher this weekend and he has the competition to push him.
BOYS’ 200m
This is an event that could get awfully competitive at the State Meet and might even play a crucial role in the outcome in the meet if Hendricken and La Salle are fighting for that top spot. Both teams have some of the top seeds in this event with defending state champion Jubril Bamgbala of La Salle leading the way. Bamgbala has a top time of 21.75 from last year’s championship meet. Right behind is Hendricken’s Xavier Wilkens (22.20). La Salle’s Jared Gibbons (22.39), La Salle’s Chase Gouvin (22.49) and Hendricken’s Edmind Lok (22.50). The predicted weather of rain could effect the winning time in this event, but expect a close one nonetheless with the level of talent on the line.
GIRLS’ 800m
This race could get interesting. It features our state indoor 600m champion, Francine Miller of Bay View, and last spring’s 800m titlist, Grace Carr of Cumberland. Carr has a best of 2:14.30 from 2022, but is coming off a stress reaction that wiped out her winter season. We’ll get a chance on Saturday to see how her progress is in defense of her crown. Miller has a best 2:19.86 from her fourth-place finish at the states last June, There’s also St. Raphael’s Chandanley Boyce and Ponaganset’s Amelia Jackson, who come in with 2:21 seeds.
BOYS’ 800m
We’re told Devan Kipyego will be doing a workout in the morning prior to this meet and may or may not run on Saturday. If he does, workout or not, he’s capable of running fast. His seed is 1:55, but he has a PR of 1:51.32 from his victory at the State Meet last year. His top competition will more than likely come from the same runner that he battled to the end in the 1K at the indoor states two months ago, Elijah Saddlemire of Smithfield, who owns a 1:55.92 best. With Kipyego on the line you have to figure that a time in the low 1:50 range is possible. Much like he did in their last race, Saddlemire is a worthy contender. Hendricken teammates Elliot Gauvin and Anthony Manna also come in with sub two-minute seed times and you can count on West Warwick’s Jesse Principe to also be battling with the lead runners. He has a best of 2:00.92. More than likely he’ll be aiming for time under two minutes this weekend.
GIRLS’ 300m IH
You already saw what Lisa Raye could do on the indoor surface, That shouldn’t change much for the West Warwick freshman with the competition switching outdoors. Raye comes into this event with the fastest time in the state of 45.90, a time she ran in winning a close race with South Kingstown’s Sierra Thompson in a dual meet this spring. The gifted frosh has loads of potential and we’re guessing by season’s end will be able to get her best near the 43-44 second range, maybe faster. The state record is 43.91, which we are already predicting is within her reach. We’re don’t think it will happen this early but count on another quick time on Saturday. Chariho sophomore Emily Brown (47.43) and Barrington junior Jordan Roskiewcz (48.88) are two other hurdlers with seeds under 50 seconds.
GIRLS’ 100m
Here’s a rematch of our 1-2 finishers in the 55m dash from the indoor states with Raye (12.15) and Cranston West’s Ailani Sutherland (12.20) our top two seeds. We think both of these sprinters have a chance at break 12 seconds this spring, but not expecting it to happen under wet conditions like Saturday’s forecast is predicting. We do expect a down-to-the-wire affair with a lean at the finish potentially determining the winner. Mount Hope’s Thea Jackson (12.21), another outstanding ninth-grader, could also be a factor as well as West Warwick’s Xenia Raye (12.34).
BOYS’ 400m
Could we have a sub 50-second performance this early in the season? It could happen. Hendricken’s Jacob Coates , the state runner-up for 300m, has a seed of 50.20. Chariho’s Elias Sposato (50.79) and St. Raphael’s Devan Tavares (50.80), also come in at sub-51. There’s a few others like La Salle freshman Garrett Giroux-Pezzullo, La Salle’s Blake Santos and East Providence’s Maxwell Whiting that can make things happen up front with best in the 51-second range.
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