Around the Track with Bob Leddy

For those coaches (mainly the newer ones) who are not familiar with me, let me offer a brief introduction. I retired in the fall of 2001 after 38 years at the Providence Journal. For 20 of those years, I covered sports, with high school and college cross country and track as my beats. My previous relationship to our sport was as an official, where for some 20 years I worked meets at every level, both here and in Massachusetts.

Thanks to La Salle coach Dave Wright and Lincoln coach John Menna, I have been given the opportunity to contribute regular track notes columns to the RITCA website. I hope they will be informative and interesting. E-mail address: Bleddy@aol.com.

14 Feb. 2010 – A day after the State Indoor Track & Field Championships debuted at the new PCTA track, an event billed as a “Jump Fest’’ took place, in which the long and triple jumps, and the pole vault, were contested for boys and girls. The “Fest’’ yielded some fine performances, the highlights of which were in the girls’ triple jump and the boys’ pole vault.

In the triple, Smithfield senior Kim Ezeama equaled a Rhode Island state indoor record that has been on the books since 2000. Ezeama’s leap combined for a winning distance of 11.25 meters (36 feet, 11 inches), thus tying the mark set by Classical High’s Tolu Fayanjuola. Ezeama, who placed seventh in the State Meet 300 meters (43.87) was 10 inches ahead of the second-place finisher in the triple jump yesterday.

Over at the pole vault pit, meanwhile, Cranston West’s James Strawderman showed a packed house why he’s the region’s premiere practitioner of that event. Having easily cleared 4.57 meters (15 feet), Strawderman asked that the bar be hiked six inches; he cleared on his second attempt at 4.72 meters (15-6). The bar was again lifted to Strawderman’s liking: 4.83 meters (15-10). He hit the bar on each of his three attempts, but on the second try, the bar held for a second, then fell. (The boys’ indoor pole record is 4.80 meters, or 15-9, which was set by Barrington’s Brad Holtz in 2004). “I had the rhythm on my [approach] run,’’ said the Falcon Flyer. “I still tend to swing off the pole too early. I’m working on that.’’

Strawderman still has two major indoor meets in which to compete this season: the USAT&F Nationals and the Nike National Prep Championships.

Once More Around: Of the three field events at the “Jump Fest’’, only the long jump is contested at the March 5 New England Championships. Six jumpers from the state may declare for the regional meet.

13 Feb. 2010 – The Providence Career & Technical Academy track - a 200-meter, six-lane beauty that opened to the RIIL indoor league last December - made its debut yesterday as a State Championship venue. And the meet delivered its share of thrills, much to the delight of the capacity crowd of spectators on hand. (For the first time in the history of the indoor league, the young athletes finished their ‘09-’10 campaign the way it began: on a great track - and by competing in weight throw events with all the comforts of an indoor facility).

Both meets yesterday were adrenalin-charged, but the girls’ competition proved to be more the nail-biter. It was a dogfight among La Salle, Barrington, Toll Gate and Hope. Indeed, going into the 4x400 relay finale, with 10 events already scored, Barrington held a tenuous lead over the Titans, Rams and Blue Wave. Barrington’s Linnea Totoshek captured the high jump (1.57 meters/5 feet, 2 inches), and senior Sarah Barry had taken a pair of events (600 and 1000 meters) - and Abigail Jones gave the Eagles 10 points with a win in the 300 - before the 4x400s toed the line.

But the Rams were gathering points, while actually winning only one event on the day: the 4x800 relay (a facility-record 9:44.77). For instance, the Rams took a second in the high jump (Giovanna Cafaro); went 2-3 in the 1500 (Molly Keating and Emily Papazian, respectively); a second in the 1000 (Keating again); a fifth in the 600 (Breanna James); fourth in the 300 (Amanda Terry); a third in the 4x400. In the end, it was La Salle taking its fourth consecutive indoor team championship with 69 points over Barrington’s 63. The Titane finished third with 50 points, and Hope came in a close fourth (46).

Classical senior Angela Onye, who entered yesterday’s meet ranked tenth in the United States for the 20-pount weight, took home the gold with a throw of 15.29 meters (50-2). Coming in second was Central Falls junior Aleide Fernandes, who got off a throw of 14.27 (46-10). Warwick’s Lydia Avilla’s 11.73-meter put won the shot event. Out on the track, Barrington’s Jones clocked 10:16.20 in winning the 3000 over Bay View’s Stephanie Baudette (10:23.58) and Cranston West’s Arianna Colella (a personal-best 10:33.17). Barry, impressive all season, continued thusly, winning both the 1000 and 1500. She went 3:00.56 to win the 1000, and 4:39.61 in the 1500.

Barry had the lead in the 600 meters throughout much of the race. But in the final lap, it was Bengal freshman Erica Johnson breaking the tape in 1:38.26. Johnson nipped Toll Gate’s Samantha Chace by 4 1/1000th of a second. Barry wound up finished fourth (1:41.89). The 300 went to Hope’s talented Angie Quiah, who clocked 41.12 to victory. Her teammate, Royal Cheatham, took the 55-meter dash (a meet-record 7.29). In the hurdles, it was South Kingstown senior Molly Reilly in 8.42. Besides La Salle’s win in the 4x800, the other relay victories went to Hope in the 4x200 (1:46.38) and Toll Gate in the 4x400 (4:04.52).

Hendricken accumulated 98 team points for team championship No. 16 in a row. But second place was a scrap, with Central finished one points in front of La Salle, 40-39, for second. Barrington collected 32 points for fourth, a point ahead of fifth-place Classical.

Kadeem Kushimo, the La Salle senior, grabbed the crowd’s attention over at the high jump area. Kushimo cleared the bar a winning 1.98 (6-6), but had to battle with Classical junior Franklin Santos. Santos, too, cleared 1.98, but Kushimo was awarded the gold menal on fewer misses at the final height.

“I have to work on my stepd [to get to 6-8],’’ said Kushimo, who also won the 55 dash (6.46), and finished fifth in the 300 (37.00). “But this was a P-R for me today, so I’m happy with that.’’

The Hawks picked up a whopping 28 points in one event, taking thr first four spots in the 3000. The race was won by senior Brian Doyle in a time of 8:54.50, with fellow senior Jake Sienko placing second (8:54.60). Ryan Meehan came across the line third (8:55.70), and Mike Mack Kenzie placed fourth (9:00.25). “I wanted to keep it comfortable,’’ said Sienko, who led for much of the race. “Me and Brian [Doyle] were working as a team to keep [Meehan and Mack Kenzie] in it.’’

East Greenwich senior Nick Ross shook off a stiff challenge from Cranston West’s Bob Allen in the 1500 meters. Ross hit the tape in 4:02.30, to Allen’s 4:02.49. Zach Fraielli, a Ram junior, clocked 2:36.47 to win the 1000, 12 1/1000th of a second in front of Ross. Craig Amado, who was also effective in Central’s relays, was the gold medalist in the 600 (1:25.12). Westerly’s John Di Gangi wasn’t far behind; he clocked 1:25.48 for second. Hope’s Jarrell James won the 300 (35.87). Kushimo’s victory in the dash was a squeaker over Barrington’s Mike Read (second in 6.50). Fred Godewole, of Shea, clocked 6.51 for third. The 55 hurdles went to North Kingstown senior Mike Spahr (7.78).

The Knights collected 20 points with wins in the 4x200 (1:33.30) and 4x400 (3:29.53). Westerly captured the meet-opening 4x800 (8:13.99).

Around the Oval again: Tomorrow (Sunday, 14 Feb.) competition in the long and triple jumps, and the pole vault, will be held at the PCTA track, beginning at 10 a.m. . . . The 23rd annual New England Championships are scheduled for Friday evening, 5 March, at the Reggie Lewis track in Roxbury, Mass. Events begin at 5 p.m.

Girls

Team scores

Individual results

Boys

Team scores

Individual results

31 Jan. 2010 – A total of 16 meet records - spread among four divisions - were broken over the weekend at the boys’ divisional championships, held at the Providence Athletic Facility track. In team titles, La Salle won the Metropolitan Division, 116-99, over second place Barrington. Hendricken cruised to the Suburban title (206 points). In the Northern Division, Cumberland came away with the team prize, 111-69 over No. 2 Woonsocket. North Kingstown captured the Southern Division championship, 94-84, ahead of second-place Chariho. A quick rundown:

Rams’ Kushimo is double-winner

La Salle senior phenom Kadeem Kushimo won two Metropolitan events, and broke meet marks in both. Kushimo went 36.3 in the 300 meters, and cleared the high jump bar at 1.93 meters (6, feet, 4 inches). In the 55 dash, Barrington senior Mike Read blazed to a 6.2 win. (Kushimo was also timed in 6.2, but was given second on the decision of the finish judges). Zach Fraielli, a Ram junior broke the Metro meet record in winning the 1000 meters (2:39.7), and teammate Matt Mercurio was golden in the 1500, clocking a meet-record 4:12.9. Fraielli and Mercurio also ran legs on La Salle’s winning (and meet-record) 4x800 relay; Mike Stewart and Sean Phayre were the other legs. In the 600, Central’s Craig Amado was victorious with a 1:24.8 time. Eagle senior Wilson Adams took the 25-pount weight event with a toss of 18.78 meters (61-7.50 inches). In the metro shot, Classical’s Gustavo Reynoso got off a winning put of 15.17 (49-5.50).

Hawks rule Suburban bracket

Hendricken rolled up 206 points (to 68 for second-place West Warwick) in dominating the Suburban Division meet. The Hawks won seven events, including all three relays, and went deep in other events. Senior Jake Sienko clocked a meet-record 8:39.2 to win the 3000 meters. The race evolved into a dogfight between Sienko, Cranston West’s Robert Allen (second in 8:46.1) and Hendricken’s Brian Doyle, who placed third in 8:47.8. The Hawks broke two meet records in the 4x400 and 4x800 relays; they went four deep in the weight throw competition won by Max Milder (19.91 meters/65-4.25), and three deep in the shot, with the gold going to senior Dan Freeman (14.24/46-9). East Greenwich senior Nick Ross went 2:38.0 to win the 1000, and Pilgrim’s Dillin Alexander (1:12.1) beat out Hendricken’s John Ferris (1:27.2) to take the 600. Mike Monti, the Avenger junior sprinter, clocked 6.4 to win the 55 dash. In the 55 hurdles, Falcon senior Lou Rodriguez was victorious in a time of 7.9 seconds.

Clippers sail on

The Cumberland Clippers accounted for three meet records. In the 300, senior Brandon Aikens clocked 37.0 to handily win his race. The Clippers winning 4x800 relay combined for a meet-record 9:00.6, and its 4x400 won in 3:49.2, another Northern Division meet mark. In the high jump, meanwhile, Central Falls sophomore Steve Vasquez soared to the best mark of the day; he went 1.95 meters (6-5). Mike Martin, a North Smithfield senior, won the 1000 in 2:46.2, while Sylvester Nyeswa, of Tolman High, took the 600 in 1:27.8.

It’s North in the South

The Skippers got 10 points from junior Zach Seites-Rundlett in the 1500 (4:12.5) and 1000 (2:42.7); Mike Spahr in the hurdles (7.6) and high jump (1.87/6-2); Kenny Cheston in the 600 (a meet-record1:24.2); Troy Crawford in the 300 (36.7) . North Kingstown also won the 4x200 relay in 1:36.5. Rogers junior Mike Mulligan’s 18.31-meter distance (60 feet, 1.25 inches) in the weight was good for gold. Kyle Carr, a Westerly senior put the shot a winning 14.12 meters (46-4). North Providence junior Alex Gallo easily captured the Southern Division 3000 with a time of 9:02.3. The Bulldog 4x800 relay won in a meet-record 8:22.7.

Around the Oval - once more: The boys’ Class Championships will occur next Saturday (6 Feb.) . . . Class A begins at 12:30 (field events), with running at 1 p.m. . . . Class B is scheduled to begin at 3:30, and Class C at 6.

24 Jan. 2010 – Here are the top three track and field dual-meet performances in each event going into next weekend’s divisional meets for boys and girls. The girls division championships will be held over two days: Thursday 28 Jan. and Friday 29 Jan. Each meet begins at 5:15 p.m.

The boys will hold their divisional meets on one day: Saturday 30 January beginning at 12 noon. All meets will be run at the new Providence Athletic Center track.

Top 3 Girls Performances (as of 1/23/2010)

Top 3 Boys Performances (as of 1/23/2010)

10 Jan 2010 – Rhode Island prep track athletes were to be found at two major meets yesterday: at the Dartmouth Relays in Hanover, N.H., and the “Rhody Classic’’, hosted by URI at the Mackal Track in Kingston. It was Hendricken taking the boys’ team title at Dartmouth behind the performances of Jake Sienko (two mile), weight men Dan Freeman, Mike Maloof and Max Milder, and strong showings in the 4x400, 4x800 and the distance medley relays.

Rhode Island’s sole individual champion in New Hampshire was Cranston West pole vaulted James Strawderman, who cleared the bar at a height of 4.41 meters (14 feet, 6 inches). Otherwise, there were strong performances from Barrington sprinter Mike Read, who placed second in the 55-meter dash (6.47), and the Hawks’ Sienko in the two-mile (9:20.78).

On the girls’ side, La Salle finished 11th in team scoring, in front of Barrington and Toll Gate (12th and 16th, respectively). The Titans’ Jordan Gray was an individual gold medalist, winning the 400 meters in a time of 59.47 seconds, almost two second ahead of the second-place finisher. The Ram 4x800 relay clocked a winning time of 9:43.50.

The Eagles’ Sarah Barry came in second in the Dartmouth seeded mile; her time was 5:05.21, followed by cross country champ Molly Keating (sixth in 5:12.19) and fellow All-State harrier Arianna Colella (14th in 5:17.19).

There were numerous winners at the annual Rhody Classic, which traditionally draws top teams from out-of-state. Central’s Craig Amado, the track MVP of the Dec. 30 R.I. Classic Invitational, won two events in Kingstown. He clocked 1 minute, 23.55 seconds in the 600, and took the high jump with a clearance of 1.82 meters (6 feet). North Kingstown’s Mike Sphar took the 55 high hurdles (7.99), while Skipper teammate Troy Crawford hit the tape at 36.36 to win the 300. East Greenwich “Long Ranger’’ Nick Ross went 2:32.71 to capture the 1,000 meters. In the shot, Classical’s Gustavo Reunoso put the ball 15.16 meters (49-9).

Hope’s Angie Quiah was a double winner in the girls’ Rhody meet. Quiah won the 55 meters (7.34) and 300 (40.77). Bay View distance ace Stephanie Beaudette was a gold medalist in the 3,000. Beaudette clocked 10:27.44 to victory. Classical’s Angela Onye won the 20-pound weight with a throw of 15.18 meters (49 feet, 7.75 inches).

Girls

Boys

Top Girls Dual-Meet Performances