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Around the Oval with Bob Leddy

Bob Leddy
Bob Leddy, RIT&FF Correspondent

A retired sports writer and past track official, Bob Leddy covered high school and college cross-country and track & field for twenty years with the Providence Journal. He is currently the correspondent for the Rhode Island Track & Field Foundation, and graciously continues to provide informative and interesting notes and commentary to the RITCA website.

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Rhode Islanders Entered in New Balance Meet

15 June 2010 – A number of local track & field athletes have been entered in this weekend’s New Balance Nationals. The meet runs Thursday through Saturday at the Irwin Belk Track at North Carolina A&T University in Greensboro.

Based on information received as of this writing (Caution: There could be some omissions). Here is the list of those competing, and when the events will be held:



Rhode Island Does Well At Rain-Soaked N.E. Meet

Rebels’ Reilly takes two girls‘ races; four local boys are regional champs

13 June 2010 – Molly Reilly, the South Kingstown senior who a week ago broke two R.I state relay records en route to victory at the State Championships, came away from New Britain, Conn. on Saturday as a New England champ in both events. The 43rd edition of the meet was held in a steady rain; occasionally it reached downpour proportions at Veterans’ Stadium, forcing a brief delay in the competition.

But inclemency didn’t stop Reilly from mining double gold. She won the 100-meter high hurdles in 14.57 seconds. She broke a 10-year-old Rhode Island mark in that event at the June 5 States when she went 14.44 in allowable wind (+1.8). And, as she did on the Brown Stadium track, Reilly came back and won the regional 300 intermediate hurdles title; her time in Connecticut was 44.14. (Reilly set a new state mark in the intermediates at Brown with a time of 43.91.

Reilly was among a half-dozen Rhode Islanders winning regional prizes. On the boys’ side of the non-scoring meet, Chariho’s Innocent Jacob took the gold in the long jump. The Charger junior leaped 7.08 meters (23 feet, 3 inches), an improvement of nearly a foot beyond what he jumped to win the State Championship (6.84m/22-5).

In the New England triple jump event, Central’s Craig Amado got out to a distance of 14.55 meters (47-9). In the boys’ pole, Cranston West senior Jim Strawderman cleared 4.64 (15-3) to claim the gold medal. And Jarrel James, of Hope, is the new regional champ in the boys’ 400 meters; he clocked 48.86.

Other highlights: Ponaganset’s Nick Keeling, this season’s R.I. javelin champ, finished third at New Britain. Keeling’s distance was 56.89 meters (186-8) . . . Mirroring their tough comptition at the States, Jacob and Central Falls’s Steve Vazquez went at it in the high jump. Vazquez placed third at a height of 2.00 meters (6-7), while Jacob placed sixth at 1.95 (6-5) . . . East Greenwich senior Nick Ross - a double gold medalist at the State Meet - finished second in the N.E. 800 meters; his time was 1:53.56, shaving nearly a second off his state-winning time . . . The Hendricken 4x400 relay placed third (3:21.99) behind the efforts of Dave Revens, Andre Collins, John Ferris and Ryan Brannigan . . . The Hope girls’ 4x100 team of Shyniece Sanders, Lakisha DaCruz, Royal Cheatham and Angie Quiah clocked 49.44 to a third-place finish . . . In a non-scoring hammer competition, Central Falls’s Aleide Fernendes won the girls’ 4-kilo event with a throw of 47.96 (157-4) . . . South Kingstown’s Jessica Graham, the state girls’ pole vault champ, improved on her State Meet performance with a vault of 3.27 (10-9), good for sixth place.

Oval Notes: The Nationals are scheduled for later this week - and over the weekend - in North Carolina.

Girls

New England Championships at New Britain, Conn.
R.I. finishers
*All times FAT

Boys

New England Championships at New Britain, Conn.
R.I. finishers
*All times FAT


State Championships

THREE R.I. RECORDS FALL; QUIAH POSTS 40 POINTS; RAMS, HAWKS TOP TEAMS

6 June 2010 – Three Rhode Island state records were broken yesterday, and one mark equaled at the State Track & Field Championships held at Brown Stadium in humid conditions and under a gray sky that threatened rain all day. In team scoring, La Salle won its second title in the 38-year history of the girls’ outdoor league. On the boys’ side Hendricken captured its 22nd team championship. Here’s a quick rundown, by gender:

Girls

South Kingstown senior Molly Reilly broke both state relay records, winning handily in both dashes. Reilly eliminated a decade-old standard - set by Chariho’s Mary Serdakowski - in the 100-meter high hurdles. Reilly blazed to a time of 14.44 seconds (with a legal +1.8 tailwind reading). Serdakowski’s 2000 mark was 14.68, which she set at the ‘00 New Englands in Maine.

Then in the 300 intermediates, Reilly sent another state record packing. She clocked 43.91 in that win, breaking the 2008 mark of 44.66 set by La Salle’s Emily Barrett. (As with the 100 hurdle record, Barrett’s also came at a New England Championship held in Maine).

Actually, Reilly broke Serdakowski’s record in the semis of the hurdles yesterday; she clocked 14.60 seconds with +1.8 showing on the wind gauge. Eschewing the more technical manner in which Serdakowski often ran the hurdles, Reilly went for time yesterday. “I just ran’’ she said.

Meanwhile, Hope senior Angie Quiah played Superwoman, winning three individual events, and running an anchor on her school’s 4x100 relay; she is only the second runner in the history of Hope girls’ outdoor track to accomplish that. (Leah Grant was the other in the mid-’90s). As if providing the Blue Wave with 40 of its total 66 points (for third place) wasn’t enough, Quiah equaled a R.I. record in the 100-meter dash. She beat out teammate Royal Cheatham to clock 12.12 seconds, which tied the ‘08 time of East Greenwich’s Alexa Monti. Quiah went 56.70 to take the 400, and won the 200 with a time of 25.22. (In both instances, Quiah came close to state-record time: a 24.83 in the 200, and 56.20 in the 400). Earlier in the day, Quiah ran a leg on Hope’s winning 4x100 relay, combining with Cheatham, Shyniece Sanders and Lakisha DaCruz for a time of 48.07.

Another triple-champ was Central Falls’s nonpariel thrower Aleide Fernandes. Fernandes won the 4-kilo hammer with a toss of 46.93 meters (154 feet), put the shot 11.92 39-1.50), and flung the discus a winning 36.22 (118-10).

Boding well for the future of the Rams’ distance program was sophomore Molly Keating. She beat Barrington’s Sarah Barry in the 800 with a time of 2:17.15, to Barry’s 2:17.79. Keating and Barry went at it again in the 1500 with the same outcome. Keating clocked 4:39.73 to the Eagle senior’s 4:41.78. “Sarah has always been amazing,’’ said Keating after her 1500 win. “I tried to hold on. There’s something about [hearing] that bell on the last lap that gives me that kick.’’

Keating also ran on La Salle’s winning 4x800. That relay consisted of Breanna James, Emily Papazian and Hayulee Kurkowski, and posted a time of 9:22.31.

Rebel senior Jessica Graham won the girls’ pole vault for the third consecutive year. In yesterday’s competition, she cleared 3.20 meters (10-6). Twin sister Amanda Graham placed second with a height of 3.04 (10 feet). Pilgrim senior Aubrey Dowding was impressive in the javelin, getting off a winning throw of 37.76 (123-11).

Hope’s Cheatham was yesterday’s All-State long jumper, going 5.71 (18-9) to claim the gold medal. Smithfield senior Kim Ezeama got off a winning triple jump of 11.17 (36-8), and Abigal Jones, one of a corps of super distance runners, won the 3000 with a time of 10:16.62.

Boys

It was the “Kadeem Kushimo Show’’, as the La Salle senior posted two individual wins, and did his part to help the Rams win the 4x100 relay. Kushimo, who had been flirting with the state 100-meter record all season (minus the twin imperatives of a wind reading, and fully-automatic time), finally accomplished his goal yesterday. Kushimo beat out a strong challenge from Barrington’s Mike Read, and clocked a state-record time of 10.59 seconds. (The old record had been set in 2005 by East Providence’s Eric Osei: a 10.62). It was clear that Kushimo was en route to breaking that standard when he clocked 10.79 in the prelims. It was Kushimo again in the 200, with a winning 21.47 time. He factored into La Salle’s 4x100 win, combining with Dave Hansen, Luke Francis and Jalen Young in a 43.09 victory.

Nick Ross, the Avengers’ “long ranger’’ led the 1500-meter field, posting a time of 3:52.67 (which roughly converts to a 4:11 mile). Second and third places were tight, with Hendricken’s Brian Doyle coming in at 4:01.01, and Cranston West junior Bob Allen placing third in 4:01.06. Ross also won the 800 in a great time of 1:54.50.

Over in the hammer circle, the Hawks’ Max Milder uncorked a winning throw of 62.58 meters (205-4). Westerly sophomore Jeremy Octeau won the discus at 49.53 (162-6), while Ponaganset’s Nick Keeling broke 60.96-meter frontier in the javelin with his winning distance of 62.68 (205-8). Steve Vazquez, of Central Falls, and Chariho’s Innocent Jacob went back-and-forth at the high jump pit. Both cleared 2.03 (6-8), with Vazquez notching the win on fewer misses at that height. Jacob got his first team All-State honor at the long jump; he leapt 6.84 (22-5.50), edging Kushiro (second in 6.72/22-0.75).

Craig Amado, the Central senior, went 14.94 (49-0.50) to take the triple jump, and Cranston West’s Jim Strawderman cleared the pole vault bar a winning 4.64 (15-3). Hendricken teammates Jake Sienko and Ryan Meehan battled it out in the 3000, with Seinko, a senior, taking it out in 8:39.71. Meehan’s 8:41.73 was good for second place.

Oval Notes: The New England Championships are slated for next Saturday (12 June) in New Britain, Conn.

Girls

Team scores

1, La Sale 85; 2, Barrington 72; 3, Hope 66; 4, S. Kingstown 58; 5, Central Falls 44; 6, Smithfield 39; 7, E. Greenwich 36; 8, Toll Gate 31; 9, Pilgrim 28; 10, N. Kingstown 23; 11, Bay View 20; 12, Cr. West 13; 13, Woonsocket 10; 14, (tie) Classical, Ponaganset and Cr. East 8; 17, Cumberland 7; 18, Prout 6; 19, Mt. St. Charles 5; 20, (tie) Ex./W. Greenwich and Warwick 4; 22, (tie) Westerly and E. Providence 3; 24, (tie) Chariho, Shea, Portsmouth and W. Warwick 2.

Individual results
*All times FAT

Boys

Team scores

1, Hendricken 91; 2, La Salle 58; 3, Central 50; 4, Westerly 41; 5, N. Kingstown 39; 6, Classical 31; 7, Ponaganset 29; 8, (tie) Chariho and Barrington 28; 10, (tie) Woonsocket and Cr. West 25; 12, (tie) S. Kingstown and E. Greenwich 24; 14, Hope 17; 15, Central Falls 16; 16, Cumberland 15; 17, (tie) Shea, N. Providence and Smithfield 6; 21, (tie) Rogrers, E. Providence, Portsmouth and W. Warwick 4; 25, (tie) tolman and Pilgrim 3; 27, Lincoln 2.

Individual results
*All times FAT


Oakers, Hendricken Win Jv Titles; Final Girls’ Coaches Poll

3 June 2010 – Hendricken and the Coventry girls won their respective Junior Varsity team titles in meets yesterday. In the final girls’ coaches poll of the 2010 outdoor season, South Kingstown continued as the top vote-getter. Barrington and La Salle were 2-3 in the polling. The Central Falls program moved up three notches since the previous poll was taken on May 20. The Warriors are now ranked No. 7.

Girls’ JV State Championship

Team scores

1, Coventry 66; 2, La Salle 56; 3, N. Kingstown 55.5; 4, Cumberland 50; 5, Barrington 49.5; 6, Ponaganset 35; 7, St. Raphael 26; 8, Classical 25.5; 9, S. Kingstown 22; 10, Burrillville 21; 11, Cr. West 20; 12, (tie) Mt. Hope and Hope 16; 14, Narragansett 14.5; 15, (tie) E. Greenwich and Portsmouth 11; 17, (tie) W. Warwick, Pilgrim and Rogers 10; 20, (tie) Middletown and Mt. Pleasant 9; 22 (tie), Ex./W. Greenwich, E. Providence and Smithfield 8; 25, Toll Gate and Central Falls 6; 27, Bay View 5; 28, Lincoln 4.

Individual results
*All times hand-held.

Coaches Poll

By R.I. Track & Field Foundation
Team                   Points    Prev. poll
1. S. Kingstown (3)    83        1
2. Barrington (4)      78        2
3. La Salle (1)        72        3
4. Hope (1)            68        4
5. Toll Gate           48        5
6. Smithfield          41        6
7. Central Falls       40        10
8. Bay View            29        7
9. E. Greenwich        17        8
10. N. Kingstown       10        9
	Others: Pilgrim 2; Cr. West, Cr. East, Cumberland, Coventry 1.

Boys’ JV State Championship

Team scores

1, Hendricken 108; 2, Classical 50; 3, Woonsocket 47; 4, N. Kingstown 46; 5, Smithfield 44; 6, W. Warwick 33; 7, La Salle 32; 8, Toll Gate 28; 9, Central 27; 10, barrington 26; 11, Chariho 24; 12, Cumberland 23; 13, Coventry 19; 14, Pilgrim 15; 15, E. Greenwich 12; 16, (tie) Central Falls and Ponaganset 11; 18, (tie) Mt. St. Charles and Hope 8; 20, Lincoln 5; 21, (tie) Rogers and Cr. West 4; 23, (tie) Prout and Middletown 2.

Individual results
*All times hand-held.


Hendricken, Mt. Pleasant Invitationals Held

Final meets before State Championships

29 May 2010 – The two final major meets before the June 5 State Championships were held today. In “Hawk Country’’ the annual Hendricken Invitational for boys had a number of good performances. Meanwhile, at Conley Stadium in Providence, the girls were competing at the Mount Pleasant Invitational; a non-scoring meet that replaced the old “Performance’’ meets.

The Hawks easily won the team title over 29 other teams. At the pole vault pit, Cranston West senior James Strawderman sought to better yet again his state record in that event. (He broke his own standard last week by vaulting 4.75 meters (15 feet, 7 inches). At the Hendricken meet, Strawderman opened up at 4.27 (14 feet), and cleared that height. The bar was raised another foot, and the Falcon star made good on that. He hit the bar each time on three attempts to clear 4.80 meters (15-9).

“I tried to do too much, instead of letting the pole do the work,’’ Strawderman said. “I wasn’t being patient on top (apex of his vault).’’

In other Hendricken highlights, La Salle senior Kadeem Kushimo clocked a hand-held 10.6 seconds to win the 100. Kushimo has already posted a hand-held 10.5 in that dash. (The state record is 10.62 - on fully-automatic time - held by East Providence’s Eric Osei). Hawk senior Max Milder won the hammer event with a throw of 62.71 (205-9). Milder is currently ranked ninth in the United States with a distance of 63.86 (209-6).

The 1500 meters was a dogfight between eventual winner Brian Doyle and Alex Gallo, of North Providence. Doyle, a senior, hit the tape in 3:59.5, to Gallo’s 4:00.4.

“He’s a good runner,’’ Doyle said of the Cougar junior. “I ran conservatively, and worked with [teammates Jake Sienko and Ryan Meehan].’’ Dan Appenfeller, arguably the most successful distance runner to come out of Mount St. Charles, won the Hendricken 3000 with a time of 9:12.4.

The Hawks’ Dan Freeman threw the javelin a winning 56.31 meters (184-9), while Westerly sophomore Jeremy Octeau went 48.79 (160-1) to win the discus throw.

At the Mount Pleasant meet, South Kingstown senior Molly Reilly won the 100 hurdles in a time of 14.4 (hand-held). Numbers-wise that betters the state record time of 14.68 (FAT). But the 100-meter hurdles is one of the events that for record purposes require a wind gauge reading (either a headwind or a tailwind reading of 2.0 meters per second) before it can be certified as a state mark. Reilly also won the 300 hurdles (44.1).

La Salle’s Molly Keating clocked 2:16.0 to take the 800, and the Rebels’ Amanda Graham cleared 3.04 meters (10 feet) to win the pole vault. Daria Braboy, of Bay View, went 10.89 (35-9) to capture the triple jump, while teammate Stephanie Beaudette won the 1500 in 4:46.7.

Oval Notes: Next Saturday’s State Championships, held at Brown Stadium, Providence, get under way with field events beginning at 12:30 p.m. . . . Running events commence at 2 p.m. . . . Veteran track official Clarke Lowery unearthed a 1906 Police Gazette Sporting Annual booklet. Among the track & field events listed is the hammer throw, where one John J. Flanagan, of Newport, threw the 12-pound ball 175 feet - one handed! In the 56-pound weight throw championship of 1905, Mr. Flanagan again prevailed with a 42-foot effort. A gentleman named Hugo Friend held the 1905 U.S. record in the running broad jump. Mr. Friend went 22 feet, 10 1/8 inches. (The R.I. prep mark in the long jump has been on the books for 74 years; 7.32 meters, or 24 feet, ½ inch, held by Moses Brown’s Don Blount.

Hendricken Invitational

Team scores

1, Hendricken 121; 2, N. Kingstown 44; 3, Westerly 42; 4, Classical 40; 5, La Salle 37; 6, Barrington 25; 7, Cr. West 24; 8, (tie) Chariho and Cumberland 21; 10, (tie) Central and E. Greenwich 18; 14, Woonsocket 16; 15, Tolman 15; 16, S. Kingstown 13; 17, (tie) Ponaganset and Pilgrim 12; 19, Mt. St. Charles and Portsmouth10; 21, (tie) E. Providence, N. Providence, Middletown and W. Warwick 8; 25, (tie) Lincoln, Shea and Mt. Pleasant 6; 28, Mt. Hope 3; 29, Warwick 2; 30, Smithfield 1.

Individual results

Mt. Pleasant Invitational

Individual results
*All times hand-held.
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This information is provided by the Rhode Island Track Coaches Association.