FINDING REDEMPTION
Ducharme secures elusive title
PROVIDENCE — The coveted state title in the girls’ indoor shot put having been secured, Cumberland High senior Nicolette Ducharme was on the receiving end of a declarative statement that came courtesy of the official overseeing the event.
“You have a few more feet in you,” was what was relayed to Ducharme, whose winning toss traveled a season-best 39 feet, 6.75 inches.
Time will tell if the Brown University-bound Ducharme succeeds in unlocking another gear. As a first-time state champion, it’s about basking in the moment and reflecting on how far she’s come over the past four years.
“I waited a whole year to get to this point. I’m so excited to get first. This is what I dreamed for since I was a freshman,” said Ducharme after her strong showing at Saturday’s girls’ portion of the R.I. Indoor Track & Field Championships.
“I’m really proud to be at this point,” she added.
Before sinking her teeth into the shot put, an event that was hers to lose as the top seed, Ducharme set a school record in the state’s
weight throw competition. Her toss of 50-8¼ earned her silver-medal status. Coventry’s Sophia Gallucci set the pace (53-2¼).
“I’m glad the weight was first. That’s the event where I have to be really super competitive in,” said Ducharme.
Those competitive juices carried over to the shot put circle with Ducharme finishing over four feet in the clear of Lincoln High senior Hayley Chartier (35-6). Chariter took third in the weight (50-1¼).
“Hayley did really well. I’m proud of her,” said Ducharme.
A year ago at states, Ducharme threw 40 feet on the nose in the shot put. Also a volleyball player for the Clippers, she also plans to devote plenty of time to her throwing craft in order to hit the ground running once outdoor track season rolls around in early May.
“I’m definitely going to hit 40 feet in outdoor. I can feel it,” said Ducharme.
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There were two different races in the girls’ 3,000-meter run. There was the duel between La Salle senior Kaylie Armitage and East Greenwich junior Reese Fahys to see who would rule the longest race of the day, then there was the battle for supremacy between St. Raphael senior Rachael Mongeau and Blackstone Valley Prep junior Lucy Noris.
By clocking in at 10:38.53, Mongeau established a school record in the 3,000 by less than a second. Just like last year, she took third in the state meet version of the 3,000.
“Honestly, I wasn’t expecting a PR this season,” said Mongeau. “I’m happy, but I’m also not satisfied. When I go to [Monmouth University starting this fall], I hope to get under 10 minutes.”
Mongeau’s race strategy was similar to her win over Noris in the Small Division 3,000. Noris owned the upper hand during the early laps, but consistency and understanding when to make her move allowed Mongeau to catch and pass Noris, who placed fourth with a personal-best time of 10:40.11.
“Depending on whether another girl was going to go up with Kaylie and Reese, I was either going to hang on to fourth or fifth,” said Mongeau.
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It was three members of Cumberland’s Class of 2021 who teamed up with a sophomore to earn a second-place finish in the 4x800 relay. Seeded third as a quartet, Olivia Belt – a recent Providence College commit – was joined by fellow seniors Bailee Brown and Liz Pickering and sophomore Grace Carr to produce a time of 9:58.13.