By Patrick O’Brien
This is the Weekly Top 10 list, highlighting 10 of the best/most entertaining performances by New Hampshire athletes throughout the week. This is totally subjective, and I’m sure there are plenty of great performances that are not on the list. Please feel free to drop such performances into the comments section!
Pinkerton girls break the state record in the 4×1, running 48.27!
The first state record of the season has been broken by the Pinkerton girls 4×1. This is the second consecutive year the record has been broken, as they took down Nashua South’s time from 2023. With championship season approaching, there will be chances to improve on this as well.
Isaac Nelson takes the win at Londonderry in an epic Triple Jump duel
We knew this would be good, as these two were the top triple jumpers in the state coming in, and it did not disappoint. In the end, it was Keene’s Nelson taking the win in 46’ 1”, becoming the first past 46 feet this year. Concord’s Alan Twite finished just 2.5 inches back in 45’ 10.5”. These are the top 2 jumps in the state this year, and this will certainly be an event to watch at D1 States next weekend.
Field stars fly high at Spaulding, with Paul Butler in High Jump and Wyatt Patterson in Pole Vault
There was a little magic in the air in Rochester, as two state-leading marks were set at Spaulding’s home meet Tuesday. Both seniors already had the top marks in the state heading in, and both were improved. Spaulding’s Butler cleared 6’ 6” and Winnacunnet’s Patterson cleared 14’ 7”.
Aida Wheat has a day at the Wilderness Championships, winning the 100 and 200
Kennett’s Wheat has been the top sprinter in D2 for quite a while now, and she showed on Saturday that she will once again be tough to beat. She started out by winning the 100 in 12.50, and followed that up with a 25.68 in the 200. These are the #3 and #2 marks in the state respectively. Throw in an anchor leg on a D2-leading 50.88 4×1, and it was quite the day for the Kennett senior.
Nehemiah Oyaronbi wins a blazing fast 100m at Sanborn
6 guys have run under 11 seconds in the 100m this year, and 3 of them came at Sanborn’s Last Chance Meet on Wednesday. Trinity’s Oyaronbi came out on top in 10.89, the 3rd fastest time in the state. PCA’s Tim Kelm crossed second in 10.94, and Con-Val’s Kendrick Edwards was third in 10.98. Shout out to D3 boys sprinting, as the division with the smallest schools now boasts 3 of the top 4 100m times in the state.
Bedford relays show up big time at Londonderry, throwing down 3 state leading times
The Bedford girls 4×8 started off the action in 9:29.91, shaving 7 seconds off their Clipper Relays time. Fiona Lee was strong once again, anchoring in 2:14.9. Their boys squad followed that up by posting a 7:53.84. Jared Bekkering helped out with a 1:55.05 3rd leg, and Jacob Redman brought it home with a gaudy 1:52.75 anchor leg. They were back at it again in the 4×4, winning in 3:24.72. This is by far the best time in the state, and probably the best in the last few years.
Jamie Lano bounces back, sets the meet record in the 800 at Seacoast Championships
Coe-Brown’s Lano wasted no time going to the front of the 800 at Seacoasts, leading gun-to-tape in 1:55.09. He also threw down a 50.2 anchor split on an impressive Coe-Brown 4×4. Lano is coming on strong late, looking ready to help Coe-Brown attempt to defend their title.
Harriet Barber runs away from the field at Londonderry, winning both the 400 and 200
Manchester Central’s Harriet Barber is rounding into form at the right time. She ran 56.19 to win the 400, good for another state lead as she creeps closer to the elusive 56 second barrier. For good measure, she also had a dominant win in the 200, running 25.26.
Maria Akalonu has a huge week throwing Discus, featuring two massive throws
Portsmouth’s Akalonu was named field performer of the meet at Seacoasts, winning Discus in 118’ 10” and adding a third place finish in Shot Put. That Discus throw would have been a state lead, had she not already set it at Concord on Tuesday! She tossed it 119’ 6” at that meet for the win.
Samuel Bruneau pulls off an impressive 100-200 double at Londonderry
Hollis Brookline’s Bruneau set a new state lead in the 200, in a time of 22.17. To add to the excitement, Nashua South’s Ethan Schnyer was only .01 behind in 22.18. In the 100, Bruneau ran 10.94 to come out on top of a pretty loaded field.
