Some things never change.
Less than two weeks into the new year, former Woonsocket great Tarik Robinson-O’Hagan finds himself in a familiar spot. The three-time NCAA champion in the shot put opened his senior season at the University of Mississippi in winning fashion this past Saturday, capturing first place at the UK Rod McCravy Invitational.
Robinson-O’Hagan not only claimed the victory, but also vaulted to No. 1 in the national rankings with a massive throw of 68 feet, 1.5 inches. The ex-Villanova standout, who will be seeking his third straight NCAA indoor title this March, also placed second at McCravy in the 35-pound weight throw with a strong opener of 78 feet, ¼ inch—an effort that ranks No. 3 nationally.
In his first indoor season of collegiate competition, Hendricken alum Matt Giuliano of the University of Louisville finished 12th overall in the weight throw at McCravy with a mark of 60-4. The 2024 Hawk graduate, who captured the weight throw at the state meet during his senior year, set a new school freshman record with the performance.
This past weekend also marked the collegiate debuts of former West Warwick standouts and University of Georgia freshmen Lisa and Xenia Raye. Lisa, the national high school record-holder for 60 meters, placed third in her preliminary heat of that event, clocking 7.47 seconds. She finished 11th overall in the 200m at 24.26. Xenia placed 11th in the 300m in 39.17, just off her personal best of 38.74, which she set during her third-place finish at last March’s New England Championship.
