Lions’ Fletcher wins JV state title in 600

Cumberland places fourth overall

PROVIDENCE — With 34 points, Cumberland High managed to place fourth in the team standings at the R.I. Boys Junior-Varsity Indoor Track & Field Championships at the Providence Career & Technical Academy fieldhouse on Wednesday night, and it did so without benefit of an individual or relay victory.

The one who came the closest, sophomore Jeb Gilson, finished second in the 600 meters with a stellar time of 1:30.62, but rival Lincoln classmate Aidan Fletcher earned that title with a spectacular clocking of 1:28.03.

Still, the Clippers outscored every other area school because of their superior depth, and it showed in a variety of events. Actually, the 600 can be included, as junior Scott Carroll tacked on a fourth (1:31.02).

Others recording solid outings were sophomore John Walker in the 3,000 (third, 9:34.89); junior Will Henson in the 1,000 (third, 2:46.78); classmate Tom Goggin in the 25-pound weight throw (third, 54-9); sophomore Alex DeStefano in the pole vault (third, 9-6); and sophomore Mikel Lacroix in the 55 dash (6.94).

The Lions took 14th overall with 12 points, and junior Tyler Dusty backed up Fletcher’s winning performance with a fifth in the shot put (4-4 ¼).

North Smithfield senior Dan Beauchemin claimed second in the pole vault with a leap of 11-0, while teammate Joe Rossi just missed scoring with a seventh in the long jump (18-8 ¾).

Woonsocket junior Drew Paskanik notched his squad’s lone points with fifth in the 1,000 (2:51.75), and Central Falls sophomore settled for fifth in the 300 (39.16).

The lone team to score in any of the three relays happened to be Mount St. Charles, which landed fifth in the 4 x 800 relay; the foursome of junior Ben Happenny, classmate Ryan Chauvette and seniors Allan Villatoro and Nick Grilli soared to a 9:33.43 clocking.