One of the benefits of holding the Class Championships two weeks prior to the State Meet is that it gives athletes ample time to rest and prepare for what’s in store at the Feb. 14 championship. For coaches, it also provides a valuable preview of what could unfold when the state’s best collide one final time.
If this past weekend was any indication, we should be in for another action-packed State Meet when the girls take center stage at the PCTA Field House. La Salle captured the Class A title in a closer-than-the-score 173–146 victory over North Kingstown, Barrington rolled past runner-up Mount Hope, 153–75, to claim the Class B crown, and Moses Brown earned the Class C title with a 120–86 win over St. Raphael Academy.
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CLASS A CHAMPIONSHIPS
As usual, La Salle’s depth played a major role in the Rams securing their first team title since the 2021–22 season. La Salle scored in nearly every event and collected four victories on the day.
Junior Alyssa Parenteau continued her success in the middle- and long-distance events, capturing the 1,500 meters (4:42.90) and the 1,000m (2:59.52). Both performances were personal bests. Teammate Olivia Wahlberg also turned in an all-time best in the 1,500m, clocking 4:45.53 to rank No. 2 in the state.
Teammates Jillian Lewis and Malia Miller went 1-2 in the high jump, with both clearing five feet even. The Rams also captured the 4×400m relay in a state No. 2 time of 4:16.75.
Hope’s Zariyah Brown was the fastest athlete of the day. The Blue Wave senior swept the 55m dash (7.39) and the 300m (41.82), and also ran a leg on Hope’s second-place 4×400m relay (4:19.32).
North Kingstown’s Abby O’Neil solidified her No. 2 ranking in the state in the 600m with a personal-best and triumphant 1:37.40. O’Neil also ran a leg on the Skippers’ winning 4×800m relay (9:53.23) and placed fourth in the 1,000m (3:10.90).
As expected, the 55m hurdles produced a tight finish. Cranston West’s Reece Vitale captured the title in 8.71, tying her for No. 3 in the state. She edged North Kingstown’s Julianna Williams (8.84), while Mount Hope’s Thea Jackson ran an identical 8.71 in the Class B meet.
State leader Tayla Schneider of North Kingstown continued her strong form in the shot put, winning with a PR of 43-3.5—her fourth 40-foot effort in the past five meets. About 12 hours after competing at the Millrose Games, Toll Gate’s Vanessa Jones successfully defended her title in the weight throw with a mark of 55-8.
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CLASS B CHAMPIONSHIPS
Barrington’s march to the Class B title was highlighted by a sweep of the relay events and a strong individual victory from Evelyn Lefort in the 3,000 meters. Lefort pulled away from the field to win by nearly 15 seconds, stopping the clock in 11:09.87.
In the relays, the Eagles were dominant, winning the 4×200m in 1:51.30, the 4×400m in 4:32.80, and the 4×800m in 10:50.53
Mount Hope generated more than half of its team total from senior Thea Jackson. Jackson captured the 55m (7.16), the high jump (5-5), and the long jump (17-10.5), while narrowly missing a fourth victory. She finished second in the 55m hurdles, edging across the line in 8.71, just behind West Warwick’s Jailynn Huffman (8.70).
Ponaganset’s Amber Shaw continued her season-long consistency in the pole vault, winning the event with a clearance of 11-6. It marked the fourth time this winter she has reached that height.
In a tightly contested 1,500m, Mount Hope’s Jessica Deal held off Barrington freshman Carly Gill for the win. Deal clocked 4:55.16, just .24 seconds ahead of Gill.
Chariho ninth-grader Meridian Alge captured the 1,000m in 3:03.62, a performance that moved her up to No. 7 in the state rankings.
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CLASS C CHAMPIONSHIPS
Moses Brown captured five event victories on its way to the Class C title, with senior Skylar Maxwell playing a role in four of them. Maxwell completed a demanding 600m/300mmm double, winning the 600m in 1:38.43 and the 300m in 42.05. She also anchored the Quakers’ victorious 4×200m relay (1:48.13) and 4×400m relay (4:23.16).
Moses Brown added another 10 points by winning the 4×800m relay in 11:45.69.
Finishing second and third, respectively, in both distance races were Bay View’s Jackie Mattos (4:49.11, 3:09.07) and North Smithfield’s Julie Dowling (4:56.54, 3:13.06).
Exeter/West Greenwich’s Nina Olawuyi once again demonstrated her versatility, leaving PCTA with three gold medals wrapped around her neck. Olawuyi earned her hardware by taking the high jump (5-0), long jump (17-9) and the 55m hurdles (8.95).
In the throws, Smithfield’s Taylor McGinness edged Prout School’s Julie Smith in the weight throw, winning 55-11 to 54-1.5. The results were reversed in the shot put, where Smith captured the title at 34-1.75, just two inches ahead of McGinness.
