Last, but certainly not least, we wrap up our previews with the boys’ middle and long-distance events. We’re expecting some special happenings to occur this year. Here’s what we feel might transpire in the 600 meter run, 1,000m, 1,500m and 3,000m.
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600m
This early in the season, it’s difficult to predict who will ultimately emerge victorious in the three-lapper. From last year, however, the state’s No. 2 and No. 3 runners return in La Salle’s Eamon O’Brien and Barrington’s Henry Stockwell.
O’Brien finished second in the 600-meter run at last year’s State Meet in 1:23.95 and followed that performance two weeks later by setting a personal best of 1:23.77 at the New England Championships. Stockwell placed third at the states in 1:24.00 and was right on O’Brien’s heels at New Englands, where he clocked a PR of 1:23.79.
At the moment, these two appear to be the early favorites, though that could change as the season develops. O’Brien missed much of his inaugural cross-country season with the Rams this past fall, but it appears that injury is behind him. The La Salle senior anchored the Rams’ second-place 4x800m relay this past weekend at the Beantown Winter Classic at The TRACK at New Balance.
A healthy O’Brien could be especially dangerous in this event. The La Salle standout enjoyed a breakthrough indoor season last year that carried into the outdoor campaign, where he captured the state title in the 800 meters. He also clocked an all-time best of 1:52.81 to win the BSR Elite Scholastic 800 on May 2. With credentials like that, O’Brien has shown he’s capable of lowering his best in the 600m into the 1:20–1:21 range. Stockwell, a fifth-place finisher in the 800m (1:57.70) at last year’s outdoor state meet, currently sits No. 1 in the state in the 600m with a season-best time of 1:27.55 from a Headley Division meet on Dec. 10. The Eagle senior is expected to significantly lower that mark by the time championship season arrives.
Other top returnees include Prout’s Juelz Harris and Shea’s Jahmel Rodrigues, who finished sixth and eighth, respectively, at last year’s championships.
1,000m
This is one of those events that can get especially interesting at the State Meet. In the past, it has often featured some of the state’s top 1,500- and 3,000-meter runners using the race as a second or even third event to score valuable team points. At other times, it’s an event that athletes target exclusively, focusing on it as their best chance for individual glory.
At last year’s meet, Narragansett’s Cole Francis captured his first individual state title in the event after placing second in the 1,500 meters. A year earlier, Ponaganset’s Jeremy Roe, racing with fresh legs, crossed the line first. Either scenario is always in play.
From the 2024–25 season, four of the state’s top five athletes based on time return. La Salle’s Marshall Vernon and Hendricken’s Colby Flynn lead that group. Vernon broke 2:30 in the 1K while winning the Class A title with a PR of 2:29.77. Flynn, who captured the 1,500 meters earlier in the meet, finished second to Vernon at the class meet and clocked a state No. 3 time of 2:31.21.
Also back are St. Raphael’s Arthur Ferris and Hendricken’s David Hayes, who ranked No. 4 and No. 5, respectively, by season’s end. After his stellar year, it’s hard to count out a runner like O’Brien making an impact here. Whether he appears in this event at the state meet or opts to go all-in on the 600 meters remains to be seen.
It also wouldn’t be surprising if Ferris chooses to concentrate on this event at the state level. With Hendricken and La Salle both expected to contend for the team title, the Saints senior could focus on the 1K as an opportunity to emulate what Roe accomplished two years earlier. Ferris enters with a personal best of 2:35.46 from last season.
1,500m
Take your pick here. Several runners are expected to dip under four minutes—or push into the low four-minute range—by the time the State Meet rolls around, whether against top in-state competition, high-level out-of-state fields, or both. Once again, Vernon stands as the top returnee after clocking 3:58.02 at the Armory Hispanic Games in New York.
As always, the two-time defending champion will not have it easy if he goes for the three-peat this winter. The Hawks’ Flynn and David Hayes, the Saints’ Ferris, the Rams’ Eamon O’Brien, Barrington’s Brooks Mello, and Portsmouth’s Sean Gray are just a few others we believe have a chance to run in that range. While all will likely not run at the states, we can guarantee that there will still be a talented list of competitors that will toe the line at the mid-February meet.
Flynn, the reigning outdoor state champion, has already shown he’s in peak form. This past Saturday, the gritty junior ran a nation-leading 4:16.51 to win the Beantown Winter Classic. In the Club/Unattached race, Eagles standout Mello won his race with a PR 4:18.68.
Those performances already project to sub-4:00 and low-4:00 potential. While the times came on the ultra-fast oval at the TRACK at New Balance, the significance can’t be ignored—especially given that it’s still early in the season, just two weeks after the opener. All signs point to special things ahead, whether at PCTA or anywhere else.
3,000m
Collectively, this could shape up as one of the best seasons this state has ever seen in the event—and that’s no exaggeration. By season’s end, it’s realistic to envision at least three athletes running in the low-8:20 range (or faster) for 3K, with that same trio dipping under nine minutes for the two mile. The runners in question are, of course, Vernon, Flynn, and Gray.
Flynn owns the fastest 3K from last winter, clocking an 8:28.90. Vernon, the defending state champion, followed closely with a personal-best 8:35.04 to secure his second straight title, edging Flynn with a dramatic dive at the line. Gray, hampered by injury early in the season, finished third in that race with what was then a best of 8:45.66.
Since then, somethings have changed—especially with Gray. The Patriots senior built on an outdoor campaign that included a second straight 3K crown and a fourth-place finish in the 5K at New Balance Nationals with a spectacular cross-country season, one that featured state and New England titles, a victory at Nike Cross Regionals Northeast, and an All-American 16th-place finish at Nike Cross Nationals.’
No Rhode Island runner has broken 8:20 indoors for the 3K—or dipped under nine minutes for the two mile—since former La Salle standout DJ Principe set state records of 8:14.15 and 8:47.20, respectively, in the same race while finishing third at the 2017 New Balance Nationals. Principe’s marks may remain untouched, but this winter, both milestones—sub-8:20 and sub-9:00—appear well within reach.
In general, look for our Big 3 to have a Big Year
Look out for other top runners in this field that can make an impact like the Hawks’ Hayes and Russell, and the Saints’ Ferris, just to name a few.
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