As a junior in 2023, Matt Guiliano was just scratching the surface in the throwing events. It’s a lot different now for the Bishop Hendricken senior.
The past indoor season, Giuliano earned his first state crown with a victory in the weight throw. On Saturday, he made it clear he isn’t finished quite yet.
Competing under cold and windy conditions at the 56th annual Knights of Columbus Relays, the Hawks’ standout captured the hammer throw with a nation-leading and PR of 215 feet, 3 inches. His effort was nearly 12 feet further than Exeter/West Greenwich’s Owen Spira, who was second overall with a distance of 203-5.
Giuliano, whose previous best was 207 from a dual meet on Monday, has improved substantially from last spring when he was a state-runner-up at the JV State Meet with a best of 163-8 from the New England Championships in early June.
“I worked really hard during summer and fall training,” he said. “I knew I had it in me. I just had to hit it, and I did today.”
Fouling on four of his six attempts from inside the circle, Giuliano admitted it wasn’t his best series. It wasn’t until his fifth throw when he was able to take over the lead. At the time, he was trailing Spira with a best of 198.
“When I released the ball, I didn’t really think it was going that far,” he said. “He was taking a while to measure it out so I was like, ‘It’s got be pretty deep.’ It ended up being 215 today.”
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In the girls’ weight throw, the indoor state weight champion also went home with the title as Woonsocket’s Adlaide Caron proved victorious with a PR and nation-leader of 173-9. Taking second was teammate Isabella Piette with a toss of 159-2. Coventry’s Mia Hoskins was third at 146-3.
“I am beyond extremely happy today,” Caron said. “The progression i had today, each throw was further. It was amazing.”
Just how consistent was the Villa Novan junior? Caron fouled on her final attempt, but in her previous throws she improved each time with distances of 159, 165, 169, 171 feet before her 173-effort of her fifth attempt.
In the featured 4xMile relays, Cumberland and St. Raphael Academy were the fastest of the day. Spurred by a 4:19 anchor from Will O’Shea, the Clippers overcame previous race-leaders Bishop Hendricken and Barrington to win the seeded section of the boys’ race with a combined time of 18 minutes, 33.30 seconds to claim the Division 1 title. The Eagles, the D2 winner, were second in the mixed division race at 18:42.80, while the Hawks were third at 19:05.30.
Along with O’Shea, Nolan Rogalski (4:36 split), Connor Magill (4:38) and Owen Dennen (4:51) comprised the senior-heavy Cumberland quartet. While the Clippers were in contention throughout the race, the Blue & White didn’t take the lead until O’Shea was able to pass the Eagles’ Brandon Piedade with about 150m remaining. After strong legs by his teammates, O’Shea got the baton at least 50m behind Hawks’ anchor Will Olson.
“I think coming into it, I had an idea of what I could do,” O’Shea said. “I definitely blew that idea out of the water. I think having those guys out in front of me to chase really helped push me. In the end of the day, it was a great time, a great race with great competition.”
Cumberland’s victory was its’ first since 2015. The Clippers only other win before that at the popular meet occurred in 1979.
The Saints’ foursome of Chandanley Boyce, Mackenzie Lickert, Lindsay Cobb and Rory Sullivan won the D2 crown with a school record of 22:30.80. In a combined race, the Saints beat D1 champion Cumberland (22:43.6) by nearly 13 seconds. La Salle was third overall at 23:02.0.
St. Ray’s won its second straight overall title. Last year, SRA raced to its previous school mark of 22:46.3
“It’s always so fun,” said senior Rory Sullivan, who anchored the relay. “I think we’re so lucky to put a team together. Not a lot of teams always can have a group of milers. Just to come out here and really compete and win it’s always fun; racing together, too.”
Gabriella Stoothoff of Cumberland and Hendricken’s Michael Moreira were the respective girls’ and boys’ champions in the Freshmen Mile. Stoothoff built up a sizable lead on the chase pack early in her race and cruised to a time of 6:05.40. Cranston West’s Sophie DeLuca was second in 6:12.80. Moreira had slightly closer company, taking his crown in 4:52.2. Barrington’s Colby Napolitano was timed in 4:55.40 to take runner-up honors.
