The 2026 NHIAA Meet of Champions at Oyster River High School promises to be one of the deepest meets of the season. Unlike the divisional championships, there is no team title at stake. Instead, every athlete has a singular goal: finish among the top six and punch a ticket to next week’s New England Championships in Berwick, Maine. With state leaders, defending champions, emerging freshmen, and several nationally ranked performances entered, Saturday’s competition should produce some of the fastest and farthest marks of the year and perhaps state history.
Boys Preview
Sprints & Hurdles
The boys 100 meters features one of the deepest fields in recent memory. D1 Champ, sophomore Winston George of Pinkerton enters as the top seed at 10.78, narrowly ahead of Kobe Perry of Nashua North (10.82) and Brody Smith of Souhegan (10.90). Keep in mind, 4th seed Bow’s Gavin Buxton won last week’s D2 title over Smith, so paper is just paper. Throw in the D3 Champ, Pelham’s Osinachi Nwabueze and the battle for the six New England qualifying spots will be fierce, with less than half a second separating the entire field.
The 200 meters may be even better. Smith’s 21.90 seed gives him a slight edge over George (22.01) and Manchester Memorial’s Ewa Edokpolo (22.08). Expect a fast track and possibly multiple athletes dipping under 22 seconds.
The 400 meters could be one of the showcase events of the meet. Edokpolo enters as the favorite after his outstanding 47.95 performance, but Con-Val senior Ross Stephens (48.19) is right on his heels. Lebanon sophomore Teeghan Joyner, Hanover’s Rhys Jones, and Winnacunnet’s Dexter Mariotti all arrive with realistic hopes of earning New England berths. With a slew of contenders in the 50 point range, expect a fierce battle for the final qualifying slot.
D1 Champ Pinkerton’s John Child enters as the favorite in the 110 hurdles after posting 14.55. Alvirne’s Joey Marcotte and D2 Champ Coe-Brown’s Brogan Grzybowski are close enough to challenge, while Keene’s Wayne Crowell remains dangerous.
Crowell gets the nod in the 300 hurdles after running 39.17, but the event is loaded with contenders including Winnacunnet’s Ryan Jamison, Pinkerton’s Gavin Edgecomb, Marcotte, and Bedford’s Elijah Todd. The race for sixth place may be almost as exciting as the battle for first.
Distance Events
The 1600 meters features a star-studded lineup led by the top 3 seeds of D3 State Champ Monadnock’s Peyton Joslyn (4:16.95), D1 State Champ Pinkerton’s Jason Robie (4:20.16), and Concord’s Josiah Conley (4:21.02). Keep in mind, Robie ran an astounding 4:10 mile earlier this season. D1 Champ, Hanover’s Ben Groves is seeded right behind Fall Mountain’s Elijah Bodanza but expect some fierce battles for the final New England qualifying spots over the final 600 meters or so.
The boys 800 may be the deepest race of the day. D1 Champ, Pinkerton’s Joe Gustavson owns the top seed at 1:53.42 and is one of the favorites not only for the state title but also for a strong finish at New Englands. Portsmouth’s Will Hart and Dover’s Melo Berdecia are close behind, while D2 Champ Hanover’s Groves and D3 Champ Newfound’s Brady Harker will be looking to crash the D1 triumverate.
If last week was any indication, the 3200 meters may produce the battle of the meet. D1 double state champ Robie will once again battle Bishop Guertin super sophomore Ethan Fischer who enters with a remarkable 8:58.28 seed, the only sub-nine-minute athlete in the field. To his credit, Robie doubled back to a 9:08 in his win at D1’s. The wild card has to be Londonderry’s Josh Twomey, who has been focused on the 800 for the most part this season, but won the Londonderry Invite in 9:23, shocking himself! Throw in D3 Champ Joslyn, Salem’s Lucas Gomez, and names like Oyster River’s Oliver Lehman and Keene’s Sully Sturtz and we have the makings of a great one.
Relays
Pinkerton enters as the strong favorite in both the 4×100 (42.03) and 4×400 (3:22.17). Manchester Memorial, Alvirne, and Milford should challenge in the sprint relay, while Winnacunnet, Con-Val, and Spaulding are among the contenders in the 4×400.
The 4×800 appears to be one of the marquee races of the day. Londonderry (7:50.48) and Pinkerton (7:52.48) stand out, but Portsmouth, Souhegan, Hanover, and Coe-Brown all have enough depth to challenge for New England qualifying positions.
Field Events
Pelham’s Osinachi Nwabueze is the clear favorite in both horizontal jumps. His 23-3¼ long jump and 47-9¼ triple jump rank among the state’s best marks this spring. Concord sophomore Thomas Saysaw in the Triple and Inter-Lakes senior David Walker in the Long should provide competition in those respective events. Watch for freshmen phenoms Caleb Plante (Spaulding) and Joel Elliott (Memorial) as they could surprise some people in the Long Jump. And do not count our Canaan’s George Butler in the Triple either.
The high jump looks wide open. Milford’s Ethan Morin owns the top seed at 6-5, but a cluster of athletes sits within three inches of the lead.
In the pole vault, Nashua South’s Preston Bois (14-7) and Portsmouth’s Leo Guarracino (14-2) stand above the field, while Pinkerton’s Ian Magnan and Exeter’s Colby Orleans are also entered 13′ or above. A slew of 11’7″ vaulters will vie for the final New England qualifying spots!
Mascoma Valley’s Barnaby Diehn could dominate the throwing events. He leads the shot put by nearly three feet and the discus by more than twenty feet. Don’t sleep on Pinkerton’s Thomas Blaszka as he is the other shot putter to eclipse the 50′ mark this season. Newport’s Ayden Hodge enters as the javelin favorite after throwing 176-3, while Nashua South’s Sawyer Penny and Somersworth’s Ray Labelle are among the top challengers.
Girls Preview
Sprints
The girls 100 meters features another fascinating matchup between Bedford freshman Alaina Beck and Portsmouth sophomore Leiana Cory. The D1 State Champ, Beck enters with the top seed of 12.24, while Cory sits close behind at 12.30. Throw in D3 State Champ Belmont senior Ava Lacasse and D2 State Champ Coe-Brown sophomore Lilah Fitzpatrick and we do have a battle of champions.
The 200 meters is loaded. D2 State Champ Timberlane senior Charlotte Beaudoin enters as the favorite after running 25.31, but Beck, Cory, Nashua North freshman Abigail Azevedo, Lacasse and Manchester Central’s Angela Cenesca all arrive with legitimate title hopes.
Beaudoin is also the top seed in the 400 at 56.72. Gilford’s Macy Sawyer and Cenesca headline the challengers, while Pinkerton’s Sarah Rzasa could emerge as the dark horse.
All season long, the top high hurdlers have emanated from D2 and this is reflected with the top 4 seeds. As the top seed at 14.95, expect Oyster River senior Avery Baumgardt to bounce back this week and make her presence felt as she will be racing on her home track and is the only one to break 15 this year. Newly crowned D2 state champ HB’s Grace Dow will be looking to make it 2 weeks in a row. Watch for indoor state high hurdle champ CBNA’s Bristol Shirland to be right in the mix as she always seems to be and do not slepp on Kingswood’s Norah Pelletier. Simply put, get your popcorn ready for this one as well!
Speaking of Pelletier, she is the 4th seed in the just as competitive 300m Hurdles. This could also be one of the most competitive races of the day. Nashua North’s Allison Frye and Dow are separated by less than two-tenths of a second, while Monadnock’s Victoria Rivera-Taylor and Pelletier lurk close behind.
Distance Events
We know just what to say about distance events. Can anyone remember a time when all 3 distance event state records could be broken??? Well, Saturday all there are on watch.
The 1600 belongs to Exeter’s remarkable twin combination of Alexis Paterna and Brianna Paterna, who are the only entrants under five minutes. This, a week after Lexi set the new NH state record in this event at 4:47.18. Without having to manage 3 events, expect the Paternas to truly get after it on Saturday. Expect D2 state champ Hanover’s Aria Deeb to lead the chase pack.
After racing to a 2:07.49 at the BSR Elite Meet in mid-May, Bedford’s D1 Champ Mikita Barry enters the 800 as the athlete to beat with the state record of 2:06.42, set way back in 2013, officially on watch. Nashua North’s Rosalie Neveu and Exeter’s talented duo of Izzie Bremer and Madie Poteet should keep the pace honest from the gun.
The 3200 meter state record of 10:05.71 was officially put on watch when D3 state champ Hopkinton’s Maddy Lane blasted a 10:10.67 solo down at Loucks. Last week was seemingly a great workout while this week, it is the only event she is listed in individually. History could be made here! Behind her watch for Pinkerton’s Gabreille Bedard, D2 Champ Hanover’s Megan Faris, Oyster River’s Olivia Kavanagh, and Hopkinton teammate Maisie Emerson to battle for the remaining New England spots.
Relays
Pinkerton enters as the favorite in the 4×100, but Portsmouth and Coe-Brown are close enough to make things interesting. The 4×400 projects as a tremendous showdown between Exeter and Bedford, with Nashua North also under four minutes.
The 4×800 may feature the strongest girls relay field of the season. State record holders Exeter’s 9:16.74 seed stands out, but Hanover, Pinkerton, Oyster River, Keene and Hopkinton all have enough depth to qualify for New Englands. Watch for BG and Coe-Brown as they each try to crack the top.
Field Events
Manchester Central’s Angela Cenesca leads the long jump at 18-1¼, while Kingswood’s Pelletier and Gilford’s Pearl Marvel are close behind. Coe-Brown’s Jazzlyn Curry enters fourth and should contend for a New England berth. The triple jump sees freshman phenom Ganel Gotay of Salem as the top seed by less than an inch over OR’s Baumgardt and 2 inches in front of Timberlane’s Danielle Bates. Watch for these three as well as North’s Sarah Frye.
The high jump features Timberlane’s Bates, whose 5-8 clearance gives her a significant edge, but do not over look D1 Champ Londonderry’s Eres DeLorey or North fab frosh Abigail Azevedo. In the pole vault, Nashua South’s Emma Millette and Bow’s Julia Hou headline the field, with Coe-Brown’s Brooke Bachhuber and Brooke Main both seeking top-six finishes.
The throws showcase some of the state’s most dominant athletes. Mascoma Valley’s Georgia Kondi leads both the shot put and discus and enters as a favorite for two titles. Pembroke’s Jasmine Blake tops the javelin rankings, though Laconia’s Morgan Trefrey, Manchester Central’s Josie Lefebvre, and Oyster River’s Mollie Sexton are all within range. Raymond’s Madelyn Donohue enters seeded fifth in the shot put and sixth in the javelin, making her one of the strongest dual-event throwers in the field.
Saturday’s Meet of Champions should deliver elite competition from start to finish. With only six spots available in each event, qualifying for New Englands will require season-best performances across the board. Several events feature less than a second or a few inches separating multiple contenders, and of course with this being the Meet of Champions, it sets the stage for another historical day in Durham! Good luck to all!
