Bobby Wind has had a strong indoor season. So far, the Barrington High senior has manufactured an unbeaten winter campaign in the 55-meter hurdles, one that’s included a PR performance and victory at last weekend’s Yale Track Classic.
But the ultra-competitive Wind admitted after another win in his specialty at Saturday’s East Coast Invitational, that he’s not really satisfied. The Eagles hurdler, a runner-up to teammate Ethan Knight at last year’s State Meet, is looking for a lot better in his final year as a high-schooler.
He’s looking for the type of year that will not only earn him his first individual state title, but one that puts him in the record books. At Saturday’s competition, Wind won a close race, taking the crown by two hundredths of a second with a near best of 7.50 seconds.
“I am happy with the consistency so far. I’m not happy with the times. The 7.50 today, I ran that last year,” said Wind, who has a best of 7.48 from Yale. “I am definitely looking to get down a little faster. I am happy to be between 7-4-7.5 consistently, but I know I can get better. I am not happy with the times so far this year. I really think that I can get that state record this year.”
The state record is 7.41 by former Hope great Yudehweh “Pete” Gbaa in 2004. Except for a season-opening 7.88 in his first league meet on Dec. 23, Wind has generally has run times in the 7.48-7.61 range.
Noticeably different this year as opposed to previous years is Knight, who graduated last June. Wind, who often went back-and-forth for the state’s top spot with his teammate last year, has dominated his rivals this season.
“It’s definitely a lot different not looking across the finish line and seeing him there right next to me,” Wind said. “Iron sharpens iron. We were kind of pushing each other to our limits last year. These meets [East Coast, Yale], I’ve had a lot of great competition for me. (But) it’s definitely pretty different. I’ve run with (Knight) for three years and finally not seeing him anymore is definitely different.”
To get Gbaa’s record, Wind knows he’ll need a nearly flawless performance in the hurdles. He’s hoping that will come soon.
“My start needed a little work today. I hit a couple of hurdles today. I never have been the greatest starter,” he said. “Just overall, get a little quicker over the hurdles and a faster start and see if it all comes together in a race or two.”
The Eagles also had a win by it’s 4x200m squad. The foursome of Wind, Patrick Trainor, Charly Potter VI and Will DiGiacomo, won by nearly three seconds with a time of 1:31.99, an effort that ranks No. 2 in the state behind La Salle (1:30.88). DiGiacomo came back later and finished second in the 400m where he was timed in 51.23, just .14 behind Sheldon Simpson II of Windsor (CT). Trainor was second in the long jump where he leaped a state-leading 22-4.5.
With talent in multiple events, Barrington appears to have a legit chance to repeat the magic at next month’s State Meet.
“We got some surprises,” said Potter IV, about his team’s chance to two-peat. “A lot of people have been working in the offseason, just working on their own individual events. We’ve had some time to bond and as a team have gotten closer.”
“I think this year, over all the events we are more well-rounded,” Wind said. “I think our distance crew is really strong this year. I’m excited to see them go at it at states. We got some really good runners. We really have some good sprinters, too…We’re excited, and can’t wait to get to states.”
Behind the cage, the weight-thrower gave further proof that their event will be one of the must-see events of the State Meet. Nation-leader Shamrock Thoun of Woonsocket captured the boys’ title with a toss of 76 feet, 4.75 inches. Thoun led two others over the 70-foot mark with East Greenwich’s Ryan Evans and Exeter/West Greenwich’s Owen Spira finishing second and third, respectively, with bests of 74-3.25 and 73-1.25. For the girls, Toll Gate junior Vanessa Jones unleashed an all-time best of 54-4.25. Five other athletes in the field exceeded 50 feet – Coventry’s Mia Hoskins (second, 53-8), Classical’s Gifty Bediako (third, 52-10.78), Woonsocket’s Adelaide Caron (fourth, 51-3), Cumberland’s Payton Goulding (fifth, 50-5) and Classical’s Chibuzo Ihenacho (sixth, 50-2).
“I really wanted a PR. I didn’t think I was going to win,” Jones admitted. “I didn’t have any good practices beforehand. I threw a big PR but I fouled it at the last divisionals. I expected it over 52 (feet), but nothing that crazy.”
Bediako later won the shot with a toss of 40-7.75. Goulding was third (38-0), while Scituate’s Ava Pilderian was fifth (37-0).
Barrington’s Kate Pearse was the only runner under a minute in the 400m, winning a close race with a time of 59.36. The Eagles also had victories from junior Helena Hyde in the high jump (5-2) and Ellie Noonan in the pole vault. Noonan tied the meet record by clearing 11-feet even. Ponaganset’s Amber Shaw was second at 10-0.
Cumberland came from behind to take the 4x800m relay. The Clippers’ quartet of Gabriella Stoothoff, Rose Tummisto, Anna Bianchi and Charli McCue combined for a time of10:02.25, an effort that ranks No. 2 in the state. Finishing second was Windsor with a 10:17.55 clocking. The Blue & White were nearly 20 seconds behind the CT squad at the midway point.
