Milton’s Charles in charge
Plenty of underclassmen had big results in yesterday’s All-State championship at the Reggie Lewis Center. And then there was Milton sophomore Smith Charles who was an absolute beast on the infield.
Charles had a monstrous meet that began when he defended his 55-meter dash title in 6.44 seconds. He then went on to capture the long jump with a leap of 22 feet, 10 inches that certainly would have been over 23 feet had he not fallen back on his landing. And in the high jump against a deep field, Charles cleared 6-6 for a fourth-place finish.
Charles will be competing in the 60-dash and long jump at nationals in two weeks in New York City, and he is confident he can run faster and jump further at The Armory in Washington Heights.
“I was pretty happy (with the 55), but I know I can run 6.3,” said Charles. “I was kind of surprised by my long jump because my legs were tired from the 55. I was bummed out because I fell back and lost a few inches. I feel pretty good about winning the 55 and defending.”
Burncoat’s Rodney Agyare-May outdueled Newton North’s Theo Burba in the 600 to break his own meet record in 1:18.76 for the fastest time in the country this season. Burba was also under the previous mark in 1:18.87.
Burba’s second-place finish along with another runner-up showing by Andrew Mah in the 2-mile (9:20.88) fueled Newton North to the overall team title with 34 points.
St. John’s Prep’s Tristan Shelgren outdueled Newburyport’s Jack Carleo over the final 400 meters and edged the Clipper standout the last 50 meters to win the mile in a four-second personal best of 4:15.93. Both Shelgren and Carleo, who moved up over the final 800, clocked 61.4 over the final 400.
“When Jack came up I thought I could hold on for dear life,” said Shelgren. “I didn’t want to lead until 800 or 600 to go. I was getting worried because he separated a little. I knew it was going to come down to the 400 with so many good guys. It could come down to the 400, 200 or the last 50.”
Brookline’s Andrew Chabon had a clean start and was first across the line in a photo finish 7.64 in the 55 hurdles. Danny Renwick of Old Rochester was second in 7.65 and Lynnfield’s Davide Pittilini captured the bronze medal with his 7.68.
“I finished the race and I saw the kid from Old Rochester (Renwick),” said Chabon. “I wasn’t sure if he won or I did. I’m just so happy right now.”
Renwick had a huge day on the infield as he soared over 6-10 to capture the high jump. Dartmouth’s Colin McCabe captured the shot put by more than 3 feet with his 55-71⁄ heave.
Marshfield’s 4x800 relay squad set the lone meet record at 7:54.83. The lineup of Mike Maglio, Joey Donovan, James Condon and Derek Holmes was three seconds under the 7:57.59 set back in 2011 by Westwood.