It’s the first state qualifier of the outdoor season. You know it’s going to be a good one. Here’s what we consider some of the must-see events at Saturday’s Classical Classic.
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Hammer
Just like the girls’ meet, we’re predicting this event to be close. You have to give the favorite nod to top seed Matt Giuliano. The Hawks senior, who won the weight throw at the indoor states, opened up the spring campaign by unleashing a huge PR and nation-leader of 215 feet, 3 inches. Eleven days later, he proved it was no fluke, improving his all-time best with a new nation No. 1 of 217-6. The Hawks’ Derek Goll is the two seed with a best of 212-0, which ranks No. 3 in the country. There are four others with 200-plus throws to their credit – Coventry”s Zack Del Sasso (210-6), Cranston West’s Owen Spira (206-9), Lincoln’s Tyler Durang (204-0) and Narragansett’s Owen Degnan (202-6.25). Right on the cusp of the milestone are Woonsocket teammates Shamrock Thoun (198-2) and Adam Beaudry (197-5).
1,500m
It’s early in the season, but we’re predicting sub four minutes here. In fact, we’re guaranteeing it. This field is loaded. The No. 1 seed is La Salle’s Marshall Vernon with a seed of 4:02.0. The Rams’ sophomore ran a 4:16 mile to place second at the New England’s during the indoor season. Last week, he ran 1:56.9 in the 800m at the BSR Mid-Distance Classic in a race where the conditions weren’t exactly ideal with a strong headwind on the back stretch. This weekend, it looks like the weather will be perfect for fast times and we believe Vernon will be ready. The LSA standout is hoping for a prime showing at the BSR Elite Scholastic Mile where he indicated to us that he’d like to break 4:10. This will be his confidence-booster heading into next Friday’s matchup against New England’s finest. Who does he have to push him? There’s plenty. Among them is indoor 1,000m titlist Jeremy Roe of Ponaganset. Roe has a best of 4:03.96 and has certainly proved this year that he’s up for the challenge when the competition is at its’ best. There’s also Cumberland’s Will O’Shea. He has a seed of 4:06.00 for the 1,500m. The Clipper senior ran faster than that time last week en route to a 4:21 mile at the CT Distance Festival. These are the three we feel this race will come down to in the closing stages with the edge going to Vernon. But you never know.
Javelin
Could we have a 200-footer? Maybe not this weekend, but the individual that has an outside chance to make it happen by season’s end is the Wheeler School’s Scott Sloan. The gifted senior, who was second in the Rising Star division at the New Balance Nationals last spring, has a top seed and PB of 186-3.5 from the Concord Academy Invitational on April 19. Defending state champion Damon Buchanan of Hendricken is the two seed with a best of 175-2. That’s two very good competitors who could certainly benefit from each other with some big throws at Conley.
110m HH
Here we go again. During the indoor season, Barrington teammates Ethan Knight and Bobby Wind were our state’s top two hurdler, finishing 1-2 at the State Meet and engaging in several more close encounters in the 55m hurdles. Not surprisingly, Knight, the reigning outdoor champion, and Wind are our top entries on Saturday with seeds of 14.6. While we do think it will be the Barrington duo fighting for that No. 1 spot, keep an eye on Portsmouth’s Landon Rodrigues. The Patriots’ senior will certainly have sub-15 on his mind. In a league meet with St. Ray’s, Tolman and Shea, he ran a best of 15.10. He’s a legit hurdler, placing fourth in the 55HH this indoor season and sixth at the outdoor states.
