Live Results
By Patrick O’Brien
While in our minds every event in a track and field meet is worth watching and loving, there are always those which stand out. Depending on the teams attending, these events tend to shift meet to meet. So in the spirit of “Top 10 Lists”, below are the Top 10 events to watch for at tomorrow’s 2024 Bobcat Invitational. And yes we are livestreaming!
Girls 800
The girls 800 at Bobcat is a true New England caliber field. There are 4 girls in the field who have run under 2:18, in Bedford’s Fiona Lee, Newmarket’s Alanna Hagen, Winnacunnet’s Charlotte Koutalidis, and Oyster River’s Haley Kavanagh. Throw in Mackenzie Cook of Oyster River (4:57 miler), and you have a field of 5 girls that could run well under 2:20.
Boys 200
Similar to previous years, Bobcat has brought out several of the top sprinters in the state. The field is riddled with state champions, as Bishop Brady’s Joshua Gentchos, Bedford’s Christopher Chong, Portsmouth Christian’s Tim Kelm and Oyster River’s Talon Oulette have all taken home hardware in the past. Throw in Bow’s Kody McCranie and Bedford’s JJ Powers, 2 guys who have run under 23 this season, and this is quite the field.
Girls 400
Anytime Harriet Barber toes the line in a 400, it is an event to watch. One of theses races, she will dip into the 55s, and maybe it could be at Bobcat. The rest of the field is strong as well, Bedford’s Samantha Ducharme is the closest challenger, having run 59.4.
Boys 300h
This 300h is shaping up to be a duel between Winnacunnet’s Oliver Duffy and Bedford’s Christopher Chong, which will be a treat to watch. Chong may have more experience, as a state champion in this event, but do not sleep on Duffy. He has broken out this year as a multi-event star, and comes in as the top seed. This one should be fast.
Girls HJ
There are 5 girls who have cleared 5’ this season in High Jump. Somersworth’s duo of Sya McKay and Samantha Comeau are the top 2 seeds at 5’ 3” and 5’ 2” respectively. Look for Goffstown’s Penelope Annis, BG’s Audrey Murrin or Oyster River’s Amalie Trump to challenge for the win as fellow 5 footers.
Boys PV
The boys Pole Vault boasts 3 of the 4 top vaulters in the state this season. Winnacunnet’s Wyatt Patterson, Bow’s Ben McDowell, and Portsmouth’s Leo Guarracino will look to push each other to a new state leading mark.
Girls Shot Put
This one feels pretty open, with 6 girls entered over 30’. Raymond’s Madelyn Donohue is the top seed at 33’ 7.5”. Portsmouth’s Maria Akalonu and STA’s Maddie Karsonovich will be looking to challenge her for the victory.
Boys HJ
There are a whopping 8 guys seeded at 6’ or higher. Spaulding’s Paul Butler is the favorite, having cleared 6’ 5” this season. However, in an unpredictable event, with a field this deep, any one of them could claim the title.
Girls 300h
Bedford’s Annika Scott is the top seed in the 300h at 46.47. She announced herself as one of the best hurdles in New England when she placed second in the 55h in indoor. Oyster River’s Erin Carty is a state champion hurdler in her own right, owning a PR of 44.18. Having these 2 girls go head to head should make for a great hurdles race.
Boys 800
While maybe not the deepest event at the meet, the boys 800 has some serious talent at the top. This starts with Bedford’s Jacob Redman. He has run 1:56 this season, but we know he is capable of running much faster, having run 1:53 in indoor, and coming off a 4:09 mile. Ryan Zumbach of Winnacunnet has also run 1:56, and is one of the best middle-distance runners in the state this year. It will be tough to challenge Redman, but it would not be a shock to see 2 guys under 1:56.
