By Nate Leveille
This year’s Meet of Champions is stacked with returning talent, rising underclass stars, and multiple athletes seeded in more than one event. This has been quite the year for track and field in the state of New Hampshire. Based on the preview there are a number of state records that could go down and a number of athletes who have a chance to place at the New England Championships and or win their event all together. As always NHTF will be there to livestream as well as snap pics, follow on instagram and interview the champs!
Sprints & Hurdles
100 Meter Dash
The boys 100-meter dash has to be the fastest in the state’s histor,y with 10 boys entering the meet with seed times under 11 seconds. The D2 and D3 meet had a solid tailwind, so the D1 boys Caesar Flahn of Manchester Central and Travis Cavallo of Pinkerton can’t be counted out. The state record could be in play as these guys all push each other.
1. Samuel Bruneau (Hollis/Brookline, 12) – 10.64
Bruneau leads the state with a 10.64.
2. Avery Wilson (Milford, 12) – 10.69
Wilson is Bruneau’s closest challenger.
3. Quintin Plourde (Kennett, 12) – 10.76
Plourde has quietly put together a fantastic senior campaign.
200 Meter Dash
Looks similar to the 100 meter dash with Wilson, Plourde and Janetos as the top three seeds. This is a wide open race with numerous boys under 23 seconds.
1. Avery Wilson (Milford, 12) – 21.36
Wilson doubles as the 200 favorite.
2. Quintin Plourde (Kennett, 12) – 21.72
Plourde’s turnover and form in the curve will be key here. His consistency makes him a lock to contend again, possibly pulling an upset if Wilson falters.
3. Owen Janetos (Winnacunnet, 11) – 22.06
Janetos has been a breakout star this season. His strength and closing speed makes him dangerous as he doubles back from the 400m.
400 Meter Dash
The 400-meter has been one of the deepest events in the state this year. There was a bunch of guys under 50 seconds and some opted out to stay fresh for the relays. Janetos and Lawton should be an excellent race up front. I expect both guys to go under 49 seconds and if they push each other the state record could be in play.
1. Wyatt Lawton (Profile, 12) – 48.88
Lawton enters as the only sub-49 sprinter in the field. His mix of endurance and power puts him on top of the 400 field heading into the meet.
2. Owen Janetos (Winnacunnet, 11) – 49.07
Janetos returns here as the No. 2 seed, showing remarkable range from the 200. His closing speed could steal the title if Lawton fades late.
3. Ross Stephens (Con-Val, 11) – 49.21
Stephens has been rock-solid all year and sits within striking distance. A personal best here could vault him to the top of the podium.
110 Meter Hurdles
Most of us who have been coaching for a long time thought we would have to wait a while before someone got into Billy Powers’ Territory. Crear is there. The hurdle boys from New Hampshire should make some noise at New England’s.
1. Colby Crear (Pelham, 12) – 14.12
The defending champion and clear frontrunner, Crear has elite hurdle technique and acceleration. He’ll be tough to beat if he runs a clean race.
2. Gavin Lombara (Monadnock, 12) – 14.68
Lombara is quick between barriers and very consistent. He’s the biggest threat to Crear and will look to narrow the gap in the final.
3. John Child (Pinkerton, 11) – 14.79
The top underclassman in the field, Child has speed and raw talent.
300 Meter Hurdles
Crear can go to a level in this race that no one else can match. The state record is 37.71 set by McFadden back in 2011. He challenges this record either this week or next. All three of these boys could/should place at New Englands.
1. Colby Crear (Pelham, 12) – 38.01
Crear is going for the hurdle double. He’s dominant in this longer race as well, with strong endurance and ideal strength for this race.
2. Ryan Jamison (Winnacunnet, 11) – 38.36
Jamison would be the clear favorite just about any other year.
3. Gavin Lombara (Monadnock, 12) – 38.45
Lombara is the three seed and sub 39 which is very impressive.
Distance
800 Meter Run
For the first time in state history, the 800 field boasts a group of boys who all enter with seed times under 2 minutes (Are you kidding me). I can’t see anyone beating Zumbach, but I can see him leading a very fast field to very fast times.
1. Ryan Zumbach (Winnacunnet, 12) – 1:53.62
Zumbach owns the top seed by a wide margin and enters with clear favorite status. A tactician and a closer, he’ll be tough to match if the race goes out fast.
2. Brock James (Salem, 12) – 1:55.73
A veteran racer, James will look to hold his position and hang close enough to strike late.
3. Melo Berdecia (Dover, 11) – 1:55.86
Still just a junior, Berdecia has had a breakout season.
1600 Meter Run
Simard is the clear favorite in the 1600, but he won’t be able to mess around with a slow tactical race with Fitzgerald’s and Fischer’s closing kicks.
1. William Simard (Con-Val, 12) – 4:19.62
Simard has owned this event all season. His kick and experience give him the edge in what could become a tactical race.
2. Carson Fitzgerald (Londonderry, 11) – 4:22.88
A smart, poised racer, Fitzgerald will try to stay patient and strike in the final lap. He’s got sub-4:20 potential if the pace is honest.
3. Carson Fischer (Bishop Guertin, 12) – 4:23.43
Fischer brings strength and determination. He’ll need to push the pace early or risk getting caught in a kicker’s race.
3200 Meter Run
Giardina is the clear favorite to repeat as 3200 all-state champ. He ran a 9:05 solo last week and I’m sure he is aiming to break the 9-minute mark. After him, there should be a good pack of runners hoping to be runner-up.
1. Matthew Giardina (Bishop Guertin, 12) – 9:05.30
Giardina is in a class of his own. Already nationally ranked, he may run this one against the clock and the 9 minute mark.
2. Andrew Valentino (Hanover, 12) – 9:23.71
Valentino is the best hope of anyone staying close. If he can draft off Giardina early, he could pull to a big PR and secure second.
3. Trainor Mailloux (Pinkerton, 11) – 9:28.59
Mailloux has consistently lowered his times and is trending in the right direction. A smart, even-paced effort could secure him a podium spot.
Relays
4×100 Meter Relay
The D1 boys bring a pretty clear edge in the 4×100 with the top three seeds. Pinkerton lowered their state record earlier this season. It’s hard to imagine them breaking 42 seconds, but it’s possible. These teams are all so good it’s going to come down to the handoffs.
1. Pinkerton – 42.28
Speed, tradition, and depth. Pinkerton comes in as the top seed and a favorite.
2. Londonderry – 42.72
Always a contender, Londonderry’s veteran squad will be looking to keep it close and capitalize on any mistakes by Pinkerton.
3. Nashua South – 42.83
Another sub-43 team, Nashua South has the pieces to win it all if the handoffs are sharp. This one could come down to the wire.
4×400 Meter Relay
Winnacunnet broke the school record at the Clipper Relays earlier this year. In one of the fastest years for the 4×4 in history, 12 teams have run under 3:30! Exeter is running a completely fresh 4x,4 and South will be mostly fresh as well. I’m predicting that whoever wins this race breaks the state record again.
1. Winnacunnet – 3:22.95
Anchored by Owen Janetos, Winnacunnet enters with the fastest time by over a second. Their strength from 200m up makes them a heavy favorite.
2. Exeter – 3:24.13
Exeter has a balance across all legs and should be in it at every exchange. They’ll need a big anchor to challenge for the win.
3. Nashua South – 3:24.38
South is a proven relay team with championship experience. Don’t be surprised if they close hard and make a late push for gold.
4×800 Meter Relay
Sub 8 is on the table for Salem, which is usually the benchmark for placing at New Englands. If they run their A team, they should walk away with the win. The distance events are very deep so, I could see Pinkerton loading up this relay and challenging for gold. Milford, the three-seed has three boys who can break 2 minutes, and due to the depth of the 800, their best chance at New Englands may be running this relay all out.
1. Salem – 8:01.96
Salem’s trio of James, Spence, and LaGrasse gives them unmatched firepower. They’ll look to break 8:00 and dominate this event.
2. Pinkerton – 8:12.83
Led by sophomore standout Robie, Pinkerton has great depth. If Salem slips, Pinkerton is next in line.
3. Milford – 8:14.10
Milford’s steady core could be a surprise here with three guys under 2 minutes in the open 800.
Jumps
High Jump
This event is another one that is pretty wide open on paper. Several boys could come away with the title.
1. Oliver Gould (Pinkerton, 11) – 6’3″
Gould tops a tightly packed field and has shown the ability to rise on big days. A clean card could give him the edge.
2. Ethan Morin (Milford, 11) – 6’3″
Morin has matched Gould this season and is every bit as dangerous. This could come down to fewer misses.
3. Nicolas Oglesby (Merrimack Valley, 12) – 6’3″
Oglesby is consistent and experienced.
Pole Vault
Colby has two more shots at the state record 15’8” that has stood since 2002. He is the clear favorite here and should make some noise at the New England Championships. After him there should be good competition for the remaining qualifying spots.
1. Colby Nyhan (Concord, 12) – 15’6″
Nyhan is in a class of his own in this field. Barring any misses, he could challenge the state meet record.
2. Preston Bois (Nashua South, 11) – 13’6″
Bois is well behind Nyhan in height but solidly ahead of the rest. His goal will be a clean 13’6″ to hold second and chase a PR.
3. Nicholas Petrucci (Lebanon, 12) – 13’3″
A steady senior, Petrucci will aim to clear 13’+ and keep pressure on Bois for the silver.
Long Jump
The oldest state record in the books for the boys’ side is the long jump of 23’5.25” set back in 1998 (My former teammate Taylor Smith). Rio Calle keeps getting closer and closer to the 23-foot mark.
1. Rio Calle (John Stark, 12) – 22’8.75″
Calle’s jump is over half a foot ahead of the field. He’s the favorite and capable of hitting 23’ if he connects.
2. Ben Sawyer (Conant, 12) – 22’2.25″
Sawyer is close behind and has great runway speed. He’s the only one in range to challenge Calle.
3. David Walker (Inter-Lakes, 11) – 21’10.25″
Walker has quietly climbed the ranks. A new PR could push him into contention with the top two.
Triple Jump
Nwabueze of Pelham is the clear favorite and defending champion in the triple jump. He leads a pack of ten guys over 42 feet.
1. Osinachi Nwabueze (Pelham, 11) – 45’5″
Explosive and consistent, Nwabueze leads the field by over a foot. He’ll be tough to top if he hits his phases cleanly.
2. Alex Garand (Trinity, 11) – 44’2″
Garand is within striking distance and has improved quickly. If Nwabueze has an off day, Garand could steal it.
3. Aiden Paquette (Merrimack Valley, 12) – 43’11.25″
Paquette is a veteran with big-meet experience. Don’t be surprised if he lands on the podium or climbs higher.
Throws
Shot Put
Smith has been a name that is consistently at the top of the list for the past 4 seasons. He is once again the clear favorite but he has company with a few throwers over the 50’ mark.
1. Darius Smith (Nashua North, 12) – 53’10”
The clear leader, Smith has been dominant all year. He’s the favorite to win and might even flirt with 55’ if he’s on.
2. Barnaby Diehn (Mascoma Valley, 11) – 53’1.5″
Diehn is right on Smith’s heels. The battle for gold could come down to final-round throws.
3. Shawn Boudreau (Alvirne, 12) – 51’2.5″
A consistent upper-50s thrower, Boudreau needs a season-best to stay in medal contention.
Discus Throw
Barnaby enters the Discus with a seed that is 2 feet further than the current state record of 179’5”. He is the defending state champ in this event. Bourdreau has been a consistent thrower all year long, and if Barnaby has an off da,y Bourdreau is good enough to pull off the upset.
1. Barnaby Diehn (Mascoma Valley, 11) – 181’1″
Diehn leads by a wide margin and looks poised to dominate. He could break the 185′ barrier with good weather and rhythm.
2. Shawn Boudreau (Alvirne, 12) – 174’4″
Boudreau is an excellent thrower in his own right. He’ll need a perfect release to close the gap on Diehn.
3. Tyson Patch (Fall Mountain, 12) – 169’10”
Patch is a powerful thrower and a threat for silver if either of the top two struggle.
Javelin Throw
The state record was set just last year with a 205 foot bomb. Franks isnt far off that mark but he is the clear favorite in this event this year. Reaching the 200 foot mark would be a huge accomplishment.
1. Charles Franks (Pinkerton, 12) – 194’3″
Franks is the class of the field and the only athlete near the 200-foot mark. He’s the heavy favorite to win.
2. Sawyer Penny (Nashua South, 11) – 173’6″
Penny has great form and consistency. A big PR could push him into the 180s and onto Franks’ radar.
3. Ben Sawyer (Conant, 12) – 165’5″
Already a contender in the long jump, Sawyer is a top-three threat here as well. His versatility makes him dangerous.
