It might have been quiet at the PCTA Fieldhouse on Saturday with the postponement of the RITCA Invitational, but there was plenty of noise being made by Rhode Island athletes at the TRACK at New Balance, the site of this weekend’s two-day Beantown Winter Classic.
Day 1 saw the boys take center stage, with several competitors turning in standout performances against top regional competition.
The weight throw produced a new national best, as East Greenwich’s Ryan Evans, competing for the Ocean State Hammerheads, unleashed a nearly seven-foot personal best of 81-10.75. Evans overtook previous leader Shamrock Thoun of Woonsocket, who finished second with a season best of 78-8.5.
The mile proved to be one of the highlights of the day. Bishop Hendricken junior Colby Flynn led the way for the RI with a victory in the varsity race, posting a fast early-season time and indoor best of 4:16.51. The Hawks placed three athletes in the top five, with David Hayes finishing third at 4:22.27 and Brayden Seraichyk taking fifth in 4:26.51. Teammate Fred Russell placed 14th overall in 4:31.59.
Running unattached in the club race, Barrington junior Brooks Mello captured the individual title with a huge PR of 4:18.68. La Salle assistant coach James Lourenco also joined the victory parade by winning the Mixed Mile in an impressive 4:42.49.
In relay action, La Salle finished second (1:31.10) and Hendricken placed fifth (1:33.36) in the 4x200m. In the freshmen-sophomore race, Hendricken had two teams among the top six, finishing fourth (1:40.26) and sixth (1:42.35). La Salle was second in the 4x800n (8:19.84), while Hendricken was third in the 4×400 (3:29.41).
Garrett Giroux-Pezzullo, who ran a leg on La Salle’s 4x200m squad, tied for second in the 300m where he blazed to a PR of 34.36.
