Ponaganset pole vaulter Amber Shaw has encountered a bit of a problem—but it’s the kind most competitors would envy.
The Chieftain senior needs a bigger pole.
In the world of pole vaulting, that usually signals a significant jump in performance, and there’s no doubt that’s exactly what’s happening with Shaw.
While she didn’t produce a personal best at Saturday’s 14th annual East Coast Invitational, Shaw did keep her perfect record intact in her specialty, capturing top honors with a winning height of 11 feet, 6 inches.
A week after tying the state record by clearing 12 feet even, Shaw made three solid attempts at 12-1 in an effort to gain sole ownership of the Rhode Island mark she currently shares with former Moses Brown standout Jenna Poggi.
“I was disappointed I wasn’t able to get the state record, but I have divisionals on Tuesday, so it’s making me excited to compete again and try to break it,” Shaw said.
“The main thing today was I need a bigger pole,” she added. “I didn’t have one today. I asked around and no one had the pole that I needed. I had to work with the pole that I’m on right now.”
A long day at the PCTA Fieldhouse turned into a successful one for Shaw and several other Rhode Island track and field athletes competing at the meet. Once again, the high-level regional competition drew large numbers, with more than 1,800 athletes participating, including a sizable contingent from nearby Connecticut.
Woonsocket’s Shamrock Thoun set a new meet record in the boys’ weight throw, continuing his strong season with a near season-best toss of 80 feet, 7.25 inches. It marked his sixth 80-foot throw of the season, three of which came during Saturday’s series.
East Greenwich’s Ryan Evans finished second at 78-10.25, while Barrington’s Joe Adams placed third with a throw of 70-2.25.
Thoun’s performance followed back-to-back victories at the Yale Track Classic and the World Trophies Invitational last weekend.
“I’m happy with the way things are going,” he said. “When I go into a meet, I just do what I have to do and compete.”
As expected, Rhode Island dominated the girls’ weight throw, sweeping the top nine positions. Toll Gate’s Vanessa Jones claimed gold with a season-best throw of 56-2. The Prout School’s Julia Smith was second at 52-7.5, followed by Smithfield’s Taylor McGinness (third, 52-7.5), Ponaganset’s Cece Bizon (fourth, 51-0.75), and Woonsocket’s Avaree Caron (fifth, 50-2.5).
Jones, who got off to a slow start this indoor season, has begun to find her stride. She won the individual title at World Trophies and finished second at Yale.
A foot injury has been the primary setback.
“I injured my foot and then bashed my shin about a month ago,” she said. “It’s still healing. I have a scar. It was a lot of recovery. I had to relearn my technique and get the power back without injuring it more, and I’m starting to put it all together.”
North Kingstown’s Tayla Scnneider, who was sixth in the weight throw (48-3.5), continued her unbeaten season in the shot. The NK junior uncorked her second 40-footer of the season with a winning heave and PR of 40-8.5.
Barrington’s Patrick Trainor earned a victory in the 200-meter dash, blazing to a time of 23.04 seconds. He also placed second in the 55-meter dash at 6.52, edging Classical’s Ephrain Teah (6.58).
Trainor was also part of Barrington’s winning 4×200-meter relay team. The quartet of Grady Hazlett, Danny Serna, Henry Stockwell, and Trainor combined for a time of 1:33.47. Classical finished second (1:36.05), followed by Cranston West (1:36.21). Stockwell added a third-place finish in the 400 meters at 51.52.
Barrington’s Kate Pearse showcased her endurance and speed in the nearly 10-hour meet. The Eagles junior captured the 400-meter title in 59.88 and also placed fourth in the 200 meters with a time of 26.91.
In the 4x55m shuttle hurdles, West Warwick’s foursome of Jailynn Huffman, Riley Heilborn, Jordan Carollo and Ivory Black emerged victorious, clocking 37.34. Chariho’s quartet of Isaac Grahm, Leo Haxton, Ethan McCann and Gus Freelove were first in the 4x800m with a combined time of 8:30.34.
L:a Salle’s Jillian Lewis was second in the high jump with a PR of 5-2.
