As predicted, it was aa big day behind the cage at Saturday’s World Trophy Invitational.
Woonsocket’s Shamrock Thoun improved on his nation-leader in the weight throw, coming less than an inch from an 80-footer with a winning toss of 79-11.25. Thoun didn’t have it easy. In fact, the Villa Novan junior didn’t solidify his crown until his very last throw. North Kingstown’s Jack Harmon pushed his rival to the limit, unleashing a six-foot PR and nation No. 2 of 78-4.5 on his last attempt right before Thoun. Exeter/West Greenwich’s Owen Spira (third, 74-6.5) and East Greenwich’s Ryan Evans (fourth, 72-2) also went over the 70-foot mark with PR performances. Spira moved up to No. 3 in the country, while Evans currently sits at No. 6. For the girls, Classical’s Gifty Bediako claimed gold in the weight, improving on her nation No. 2 by 1.5 inches with a toss of 54-4.5. Toll Gate’s Vanessa Jones was second at 51-7.5. Bediako completed a sweep of the throwing events by also capturing the shot with a best of 42-3.
Mount Hope’s Lola Jones and Thea Jackson appears to have created a first in Rhode Island for the long jump. The talented teammates went 1-2 in the event, both exceeding 18 feet! Jones took the crown by less two inches over Jackson with a PR of 18-2.75. The MH junior leaped 18-1.25 for the silver, also a best.
In the girls’ high jump, Barrington’s Helena Hyde leaped 5-4, matching her state-leader. The boys’ event saw Smithfield’s Devon Mukuna soar to a six-inch best with a triumphant 6-2, an effort that ties him with two others for No. 3 in the state.
North Kingstown went 1-2-3 in the boys’ 400m with the trio of Jackson Webber (first, 53.19), Mikiyas Ashenah (second, 53.24) and Jason Marcelino (third, 54.38).
In a race that proved to be too close for comfort, Mount Hope’s Jackson Cicchinelli edged the Prout School’s Juelz Harris in the1,500m with a PR of 4:28.46. Harris crossed the line in 4:28.70. In the last three weeks, Cicchinelli has improved his best in the event by 12 seconds!
Ponaganset’s Lillian Racine, ranked No. 5 in the 55m dash, matched her current best of 7-5 to take her specialty. Woonsocket’s Ariel Medina was the fastest among boys with a time of 6.78.
Pilgrim shot-putter Brandon Wolfenden improved on his state-leader by two feet with a winning throw of 58-4.5.
Next up for R.I. athletes is the East Coast Invitational. The regional competition, which is sponsored ny Marathon Sports, will be held Saturday,. Jan. 18 at the PCTA field house.
Click on the links below for results, interviews and access to nearly 1,200 photos from the World Trophy Invite.
RESULTS
INTERVIEWS
