Yes, it’s early and, as we all know, a lot can occur over the next three-plus months. Still, what happened during the indoor season last year and the subsequent outdoor campaign, and even cross country this past fall for our distance runners, can provide us enough background to make some good ole’ fashion predictions. So what will happen this season by our talented athletes?
Here we feature the boys’ throwing events.
Weight Throw
Just like last year, it appears the door’s wide open who will come out on top by season’s end in this event. We have at least four (possibly more) that you can’t ignore at the mid-February State Meet – Woonsocket’s Shamrock Thoun, Barrington’s Joe Adams, Exeter/West Greenwich’s Owen Spira and North Kingstown’s Jack Harmon. As a sophomore last year. Adams was the runner-up to Hendricken grad Matt Giuliano at the states last winter with a then three-foot best of 67 feet, 6.5 inches. He improved on that effort a few weeks later by earning All-American honors at the New Balance Nationals where he unleashed a PR of 68-0.5 to place sixth overall. Adams has not competed yet this season due to a knee injury, but it will be interesting to see what he can do once he’s back. Thoun, Spira and Harmon have started competition already and have provided proof that this season has potential to get very competitive. The talented trio all exceeded 70 feet so far with Thoun unleashing a state-leading and PR of 74-3.25 at the Injury Fund Carnival this past weekend and Spira also going 70-plus at the meet with a best of 71-9. In a Sullivan Division meet on Tuesday night, Harmon put his name in the conversation with a heave of 72-4, a best by 13 feet from last year! Spira, Thoun and Hendricken’s Ethan Charnley all made the podium at the 2024 states, finishing fifth, sixth and seventh, respectively. Thoun ended the season with the best heave of our returnees, coming inches from 70 feet with a then best of 69-9, an effort that garnered him silver at the adidas Track Nationals. Thoun also was third at the Millrose Games with an equally-impressive toss of 68-8.5. He captured the Class A crown at 67-10.5. Thoun was fourth in the hammer at the outdoor states and had a best of 214-8 to win the Northern Division title. In the weight, Spira had his previous best at the State Meet with a distance of 66-3.5. He was super consistent in the hammer with just one throw less than 200 feet, a 198-2 effort to take second at the Southern Division Championships. He had a best of 216-5 at the Class C meet. East Greenwich’s Ryan Evans, who went 70-plus during fall training, according to Woonsocket coach Marc Piette, had a best of 67-7 at Injury Fund. Take your pick? With all this being said, this event appears to be up for grabs with a host of individuals capable of getting it done. Stay tuned.
Shot
On paper, this event could turn into a two-person battle at the State Meet. But a lot can happen over the next few months, so we’ll see if that still holds true once championship season rolls around. The two talented throwers in question are Rogers’ Kayden Thomas and outdoor state titlist Brandon Wolfenden. Thomas, who was consistently over 50 feet throughout the year, earned silver at both the indoor and outdoor meets. He achieved an indoor best of 52-11 and unleashed a PR of 55-5.5 at the Eastern Division Championships in early May. Wolfdensen, who was one of the top seeds during the winter with a best of 52-10.75, did not compete in the indoor states. He was unbeaten against his RI rivals once the competition shifted outdoors with victories at the Classical Classic, St. Germain Invitational, Class A meet and states where he had his all-time best of 56-10.5. Smithfield’s Ben Cicchitelli, who was fifth at the indoor states and third in the spring, is another shot-putter that could be in the mix. He had a best of 49-2.75 during the outdoor season, an effort that ranks third among our returnees. There also the Eagles’ Adams, who who fourth at the indoor and outdoor states and boast an all-time best of 48-0.
