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To reduce redundancy, we are combining the recap of MOC with the Top 10 List. We will start with that, and below complete the recap for those events not mentioned in the Top 10 List. Let’s face it, every event could have certainly made the list because a state champ was crowned and drama always occurred. Then again, it would not be a Top 10 List.
By Patrick O’Brien
Jacob Redman puts on a show as Bedford breaks the State Record in the 4×8.
After coming out 6 seconds shy at Londonderry, Bedford went after the 4×800 State Record again at MOCs. After the first 2 legs (Ethan Pulsifer and Patrick Fish) did their jobs and each ran around 2:00, Jared Bekkering gave them a chance with a 1:54.9 split. This meant Redman would need a 1:51.7 to get the record, which is a big ask while running solo. Redman was up to the challenge though, running 1:51.32 to take the record in 7:47.01.
Redman did not stop there, as he led gun-to-tape in one of the fastest and deepest NH 800s in recent memory. He held off all the challengers to run 1:52.62, not bad for his second 800 of the day. Coe-Brown’s Jamie Lano and Winnacunnet’s Ryan Zumbach took second and third, both under 1:54, and Hanover’s Lucian Gleiser was 4th in a still impressive 1:54.02.
Nashua South girls light it up in the Sprints
Teammates Soraya Ross and Nyah Musa of Nashua South had about as close of a finish as you can get in the 100m. Ross took the win by just 2 thousandths of a second as they both ran 12.10. This is less than a tenth off the state record, and having two athletes on the same team be able to do this is special. You would probably guess that they have a good 4×100 team, and they absolutely do. They were able to take the win over Pinkerton, who has broken the state record in each of the last two weeks. At New England’s, it is possible that either of these teams could break it once again.
Pinkerton boys cruise to a new State Record in the 4×1
After coming up .03 second shy of the 4×100 State Record at D1s, the Pinkerton boys were definitely on high alert to break it this weekend. That can be a lot of pressure, but they rose to the occasion, running 42.39 to take it down by .12 seconds. The team of Travis Cavallo, Jamison Isaac, Braydon Parker, and Caden Michaud will look to try and better their record at New England’s.
Fiona Lee takes the win in a deep 800m field
The girls 800 was similar to the boys in several ways. There was a deep field, there were fast times, and it was won by a Bedford runner. Bedford’s Fiona Lee took the lead going into the last 100 meters, and held off a hard-charging Anique Poulin to take the win, 2:13.48 to 2:13.66. These are the fastest times in the state this season. Winnacunnet’s Charlotte Koutalidis and Newmarket’s Alanna Hagen were also close behind, running 2:14 and 2:15 respectively. It will be exciting to see what these girls can do at New England’s.
Darius Smith bounces back with a massive throw to win MOCs
After coming up short of winning D1s, Nashua North’s Darius Smith came back in a big way to win MOCs. He took over the lead for good after throwing over 50 feet on his third throw, but he wouldn’t stop there. Having already won the competition, he unleashed a 53’ 9 for his last throw. To put that in perspective, nobody had thrown 52 feet this season, and Smith was the only one to have thrown 51 feet. Smith also finished 2nd in the Discus with a toss of 154’2″. South’s Elyza Mercado won (155’5″). Matter of fact Mercado was second to Smith in the shot, by only 1.25″ over Coe-Brown’s Elias Warner.
Haley Kavanagh goes off the front to run 4:53 in the 1600
Oyster River’s Haley Kavanagh was the defending champion in the 1600, as she won all alone last year in 5:05. She was all alone once again on Sunday, and showed the progress she has made as she blasted a state-leading 4:53. The last time MOCs was won in a time this fast was in 2016, by fellow Oyster River runner Maegan Doody.
Joshua Gentchos wins a historically fast boys 100.
There was a good amount of hype around the boys 100 on Sunday, and it lived up to all of it. Bishop Brady’s Joshua Gentchos was the pre-race favorite, and it was him who broke the tape, tying Seth Baylus’ State Record of 10.77. It took 10.88 to make New England’s, as Samuel Bruneau, Kevin Brooks, Nehemiah Oyaronbi, Kendrick Edwards, and Chris Stevens all ran 10.88 or faster. That has to be the fastest 6th place time ever. 10 years ago, in 2014, this race was won in 11.07. We are truly in a golden age of NH sprinting right now. Worth noting that Gentchos also came back later to take the 200 in 21.83 waiting until the final 50 to spurt past race leader Stevens who ran a tremendous turn.
Jhanelle Thomas becomes the first girl under 45 this season in 300h
Nashua North’s Jhanelle Thomas was the defending champion in the 300 hurdles, and she was able to take the win for the second year in a row. She won in 44.49, the fastest time in the state this season and only time under 45 seconds. Oyster River’s Erin Carty and Hollis Brookline’s Grace Dow also performed well for second and third, running under 46 seconds. Rumor has it these girls all jumped over at least one hurdle at the boys height, so kudos to them for keeping their composure and running strong times despite this.
Kevin Brooks runs sub-49 to win a very strong 400
Windham’s Kevin Brooks ran away from the field on Sunday and became the first NH runner to go under 49 seconds in at least a few years. Impressively, Profile’s Wyatt Lawton, Nashua South’s Barrion Perry and John Stark’s Logan Montgomery all went under 50 seconds, making this one of the deepest NH 400s in recent memory.
Annika Scott has another dominant day, breaking her own State Record
We try to mix up who goes onto these lists a bit, but Bedford’s Annika Scott usually gives us no choice but to include her week after week. She ran 14.17 in the 100 hurdles, breaking her own state record from just a week ago. On top of this, she also became the first girl to Long Jump 19 feet this season, as she took the win in 19’ 0.5”. She is as dominant as they come, winning hurdles by over a half second, and winning long jump by almost 2 feet.
Sprints & Hurdles
On the boys side, Bedford’s Christopher Chong repeated as state champ in the High Hurdles clocking 14.47. Of note, Pinkerton sophomore John Child was 2nd in 15.00. Chong was second to Pelham’s Colby Crear in the 300 Hurdles. Crear put on a show rolling to a 38.52 winning by a full second.
The girls 400 saw Central’s Harriet Barber remained undefeated in the 400 winning with yet another 56 second time. We are all looking forward to this Saturday for her. Of note in this one, White Mountain freshman Olivia Lorenz was 2nd in 57.73. Barber also placed 2nd in the 200 with a 25.61. Kennett’s Aida Wheat defended her title here with a 25.16.
Distance
PCA’s Jonas Teeter continued his hot streak and his fearless racing as he took the lead early in the 1600 essentially time trialing the entire way to become the NH 1600 Champ in 4:20.11. He followed that by placing 4th in the 3200. Sounds like he is focusing on the 3200 this Saturday. BG’s Matthew Giardina won the 3200 in 9:19.96/ Con-Val’s Will Simard was 2nd winning a battle with South’s Dante Castellano 9:27.19 to 9:28.18. Yes heat was a factor with times in the 3200. On the girls side, D1 Champ Bedford’s Kelseigh O’Neil once again strode away for the win in 11:09.33. Pinkerton’s Contessa Silva was once again her shadow for until the final 2 laps placing 2nd in 11:20.53.
Field Events
Girls High Jump saw D1 Champ, freshman Danielle Bates of Timberlane win again clearing 5’4″. Concord’s Ella Goulas was 2nd clearing 5’2″. Goulas won the Triple however with a mark of 36’7.5″. Plymouth’s Sydney Valenti was 2nd with a 34’10.5″ mark. Boys High Jump was also won by the D1 Champ as Spaulding’s Paul Butler cleared 6’4″ winning on misses as Trinity’s Rere Edokpolo was second. Edokpolo placed 3rd in the long jump which Winnacunnet’s Oliver Duffy won soaring 22’0.25″. He was only an inch further than Concord’s Alain Twite! Don’t feel bad for Twite as he was the state champ in the Triple with his 46’2.75″ over Keene’s Isaac Nelson’s 45’2.75″.
Pole Vault was held indoors. As previewed Winnacunnet’s Wyatt Patterson won clearing 14’6″ with Concord’s Colby Nyhan placing 2nd clearing 14’0″. It will be interesting to see what these 2 can do at New Englands. On the girls side, Londonderry’s Lilly Haggett won the state title on less misses over teammate Amanda Robinson. Both cleared 10’6″.
Throws
Mascoma Valley’s Georgia Kondi won the shot put by more than 2 feet with an impressive toss of 38’6″. She is only a sophomore! Winnisquam’s Lauren MacDonald was second with 36’1.25″. D1 Champ, Portsmouth’s Maria Akalonu won the Discus with an impressive bomb of a toss of 118’4″! Monadnock’s Sarina Stengle was second with 110’0″. In a tight battle, Windham’s Kelly Wright won the Javelin with a mark of 106’7″. Contested on a track surface, which is rare in NH, marks were slightly shorter than normal. Case in point, state record holder, Nick Reynolds of Concord won with a 186’1″ throw. Pinkerton’s Charles Franks was second with a mark of 173’11”. Look for these marks to improve this week!!
Congrats to all and good luck at New Englands!
