Everybody chasing Oosting
OUTDOOR TRACK
After further solidifying his place among the best all-time distance runners in New England during the indoor season, Arlington’s Ryan Oosting should continue to move up the ranks outdoors. And he could bring down the biggest name of them all.
Oosting tore his way to a meet record at New Englands in the 2 mile with his
8 minute, 57.59 second time and there’s a strong possibility he could better Alberto Salazar’s All-State meet record of 9:00 flat at Fitchburg State if he chooses to run. The defending champion in the mile as well, Oosting should be a heavy favorite in track’s marquee event.
The mile and 2 mile will be littered with talent as Newton North’s Andrew Mah, Tristan Shelgren of St. John’s Prep, Lucas Aramburu of Brookline and Hopedale’s Brandon Hall all can dazzle. Look for indoor All-State 1,000 champion Thomas Lingard to be in the mix in the mile if he moves up from the 800.
Needham’s Davonte Burnett captured the 100/200 double last spring but should see a serious challenge from Milton junior Smith Charles. Charles should be a strong favorite to defend his long jump title when he’s not in the starting blocks.
Defending 800 champion Theo Burba from Newton North will be tough to beat and the possibility of a showdown against Lingard could be intriguing. Belmont’s Calvin Perkins and Phillips Magre of Somerville head a strong 400 lineup.
The 400 hurdles returns a solid field led by GrotonDunstable’s Riley Patten and North Attleboro’s Jonathan Shultz. In the discus, look for defending champion Hayden Dillow of Xaverian to be challenged by Bradley Harunkiewicz of Wareham, Duxbury’s Christopher Chaisson and Devin Donahue of Chicopee Comp. BC High’s Tom Aicardi had a stellar indoor shot put season and should be as dominant in the spring. Defending New England champion Flynn Mitchell of West Boylston will be tough to beat in the javelin.
The girls’ competition will also be fierce. Indoor champion Lucy Jenks of Newton South (mile) and Tewksbury’s Makayla Paige (800) will be the ones to beat.
In the sprints, Natick’s Abigail Gerdes, Chloe Alfieri of Bromfield and Amesbury’s Skylar Snay will be looking to capture the 100 gold medal, while Anna Jordahl-Henry of Wellesley and Kyla Hill of Minnechaug could duel in the 200. The 400 should be deep with the return of defending champion Meg Hughes of Old Rochester, Milton’s Elise O’Leary, Plymouth North’s Caitlin Haley and indoor 600 champion Abby Comella of Wellesley.
The 800 has a strong finisher in Rachel Sessa of Tewksbury and Lynnfield’s Kate Mitchell. Sessa and Mitchell could both be factors in a mile field that should include Natick’s Grace Connolly, Wellesley’s Margaret Donahue, Sarah and Kaitlyn Roffman of Littleton, Caroline Barry of Newton South, ConcordCarlisle’s Sarah Reichheld, Algonquin’s Tess Reyes, Madaket Nobili of Nauset, Emily Koufos of Watertown and Beverly’s Ashley Foley.
If healthy, Connolly could dominate the 2 mile with Sophia JacobsTownsley of Amherst-Pelham, Concord-Carlisle’s Margot Ehrenthal and Shepherd Hill’s Rebekah James also in the mix.
Defending champion Anoush Krafian of Belmont should be a strong favorite in the 100 hurdles, while Elise O’Leary of Milton looks to be the one to beat in the 400 hurdles.
Hingham’s Zoe Dainton defended her indoor high jump title and will be looking to do the same in the spring. Reading’s Haley Lightbody and North Reading’s Rachel Hill could duplicate their 1-2 finish in the pole vault, while Pentucket’s Saige Tudisco will try to grab another gold medal in the long jump.
In the triple jump, Alexis Daly of Milton will be tough to beat, as will defending javelin champion Shira Stoller of Sharon. Seekonk’s Cameron Garabian will look to follow up a dominating winter in shot put.