State Coaches Invitational
This is the MSTCA's compromise between making the Invitational an elite meet vs. opening opportunities for more runners. The top-24 is siphoned off for Sunday, yet here is a chance for others to bask in the glow of state level recognition. There will be some athletes standing tall on Saturday with metal around their neck who might have otherwise been buried in the pack. That experience could make them next year's elite.
Girls
55M Dash
Top seed on Saturday is listed at 7.61.
Look to Ifeoma Okeke (ST-SO-4 th -7.64) and Anna Amico (CT-JR-5 th -7.68) to make finals and make noise. Alexa Murray sitting way back in 13 th seed (OA-SR-7.71) is my pick for most underrated athlete in this event. I think she can surprise people, make finals AND place. Jen Jaboin (SH-SR-7.70) is also looking to push thru.
Other Hock runners
32 Taylor, Nicole FR Oliver Ames 7.82
38 Gildersleeve, Sara JR Sharon 7.82
47 Romaine, Melissa SR Stoughton 7.90
101 Mooney, Rose FR No Attleborough 8.10
Total runners = 114
300M Dash
Franklin has two girls in range of the podium. Sarah Soloman (SR-tied 10 th -44.0) and Karen Anselmi (SR-20 th -44.30) could both reach the 43.6 range that makes placing possible.
Other Hock Runners
27 McKinsey, Kayla SO Oliver Ames 44.99
34 Kroll, Samantha SO No Attleborough 45.1
61 Kent, Kristy SO Oliver Ames 45.30
72 Roche, Lauren SR King Philip 45.60
101 Ross, Tayla JR Foxborough 46.00
Total Runners = 106
600M
Becky Galasso (SR-Franklin-2 nd -1:44.20) and Alison Hickey (SR-OA-3 rd -1:44.25) will both be in the seeded heat and gunning for top-seed Alex McElroy (SR-Waschusett-1:43.60)
Other Hock runners
24 Dominesey, Anna SR Mansfield 1:46.4
38 Bushway, Hillary SR King Philip 1:46.62
40 Zieselman, Amanda JR Mansfield 1:47.32
47 Paul, Jade SO Stoughton 1:47.80
60 Mullen, Hailey SO King Philip 1:48.40
66 Pinchieri, Lauren JR Stoughton 1:48.50
81 D'Orazio, Kate JR Canton 1:49.00
83 Roberts, Sydney SO No Attleborough 1:49.00
Total runners = 97
1000M
There is incredible parity in this event. From a top seed of 3:13.59 there is less than a three-second drop to 17 th seed. Given that many of the PR's listed are from short tracks, this is anyone's race. OA's Shannon Hickey (SR-18 th -3:16.70) and Mansfield's Anastacia Lutkevich (SR-19 th -3:`16.78) aren't that far off the pace. Wouldn't it be good to see these two going head-to-head trying to win the penultimate heat.
Other Hock Runners
25 Haughey, Shannon SO No Attleborough 3:18.30
26 Columbare, Lauren JR Mansfield 3:18.40
40 Costello, Monica JR No Attleborough 3:20.20
43 Kelly, Alicia SR Stoughton 3:21.30
55 Raia, Sophia SO King Philip 3:22.00
62 Noel, Emma FR Sharon 3:22.2
Total runners = 67
Mile
Cassie Olson (MN-SR-9 th -5:33.80) will be in the seeded heat and has a clear shot at the win (top-seed = 5:29.11). Kristina Ketchum (FX-SO-12 th -5:34.00) and Aubree Piepmeier (FR-SR-19 th -5:35.05) will also have shots at a medal but Pippy will have to win the second heat convincingly to do so. NA's Ally Harbour will surprise some – but not me.
Other Hock Runners
37 Kimball, Alex SR Oliver Ames 5:41.1
41 Coughlan, Kelly SR Franklin 5:42.00
44 Harbour, Alley FR No Attleborough 5:43.0
71 Kline, Rachel JR Oliver Ames 5:45.00
72 Tacchi, Michelle SO No Attleborough 5:45.00
Total Runners = 78
Two Mile
It would be a nice feather in her cap if Lauren Gallagher (OA-JR-11 th -12:19.80) could strike paydirt. It'll take about a 12:12 to do it.
Other Hock runners
34 Andres, Sarah JR Foxborough 12:34.70
35 Beaulieu, Hannah SO King Philip 12:35.00
36 Simms, Deirdre SO Stoughton 12:36.00
49 Kimball, Brianna JR No Attleborough 12:40.00
53 total runners
55M Hurdles
There's a large contingent of hopeful Hock hurdlers. Olivia Parsons (FX-SR-tie 3 rd -9.27), Colleen Healey (CT-SR-tie 3 rd -9.27), Alicia Macomber (ST-SO-10 th -9.34) and Dana Foley (MN-SO-13 th -9.36) have the best chances. Just a few ticks off are Michaela Nichols (OA-SO-tie 15 th -9.39) and Kayla Bridges (FX-JR-tie 15th-9.39).
I actually think that Franklin's Kristen Walker (SR-tie 22 nd -9.44) will beat some of those listed above.
Other Hock runners
30 Ryan, Cally JR King Philip 9.50
41 Grimes, Paige SO Mansfield 9.58
46 Cangiano, Amanda SR No Attleborough 9.61
61 Coppola, Jennifer SO Franklin 9.70
Total runners = 78
High Jump
Seeds are meaningless since 50 jumpers have either jumped 5'0, 4'11 or 4'10. The hocks best chances sit with Jen Esposito and Sarah Plesh who both cleared 5' this season and have big meet experience.
Esposito, Jen SO Mansfield 5-00.00
Plesh, Sarah SR Franklin 5-00.00
Mosolglo, Tori JR King Philip 4-10.00
Croke, Caitlyn SO King Philip 4-10.00
Siquiera, Marianna SR Oliver Ames 4-10.00
Nichols, Michaela SO Oliver Ames 4-10.00
60 jumpers but 10 haven't even made starting height of 4'10
Long Jump
Who knows what will happen in an event where the Hock doesn't compete regularly?
9 Deininger, Christy SR No Attleborough 15-07.0
18 Murray, Alexa SR Oliver Ames 15-05.0
24 Tondre, Victoria SO Canton 15-03.00
25 Kent, Kristy SO Oliver Ames 15-02.50
Shot Put
As deep as the Hock is in this event on Sunday – as slim it is on Saturday. Only one Hock athlete will throw.
31 Daniel, Alexandra JR Oliver Ames 30-00.00
There are no relays in Saturday's meet