After coming so close to the 80-foot mark several times this season, Shamrock Thoun finally achieved the milestone on Friday.
It turned out to be the perfect opportunity for the Woonsocket High weight-thrower to have the biggest performance of his career.
In what he’s hoping will be a potential sweep of his specialty this weekend against the country’s finest, Thoun earned individual gold at the Nike Indoor Nationals with a heave of 82-6.25. The Villa Novan junior won his crown in dominating fashion during Day 2 of competition at The Armory in New York City. Finishing a distant second was NY’s Charles Sullivan of Yorktown Heights with a distance of 76-1. Along with Thoun, also earning All-American status with a top-six finish were Exeter/West Greenwich’s Owen Spira (third, 75-0.75) and East Greenwich’s Ryan Evans (fourth, 73-6.25).
As predicted, it was twice as nice for the Ocean State from behind the cage. Continuing her dominance over the last two months, Toll Gate’s Vanessa Jones captured the girls’ title with a distance of 58-1.75. It was the Titan junior’s second furthest toss this season and fourth over 57 feet over the last five weeks. Coventry’s Mia Hoskins was fourth (54-2) in the event, while Woonsocket’s Isabella Piette placed eighth (51-7.75)
For Thoun and Jones, they’ll be looking to continue their momentum in Boston on Saturday as the top seeds at New Balance Nationals.
