By Michael Letendre
NEW BRITAIN – Bristol Central’s boys track & field team did extremely well at the 2023 State Open event on June 5.
The Rams had a championship performance along the way while making a top-10 finish at the ultra-competitive showdown.
“[It was a] great day at the State Open Championship,” said Central coach Tamara Stafford-Kirk. “The Bristol Central boys placed eighth as a team with 20 points!”
Hall won the Open title for the boys behind a 64-point performance.
Windsor came in second place (42.75 points) while Xavier of Middletown snared third (38).
Bloomfield (53 points) nabbed the Open Championship for the girls.
Bringing just five boys to the event, one of Central’s athletes was able to tally an Open championship.
And that State Open Title was won by Central senior Tre Blair who promised to make some noise in New Britain even before the event took place.
He certainly did that as he won the Triple Jump event – reestablishing the school record along the way.
“Treshawn Blair is State Open Triple Jump Champion with a huge jump of 46 feet, 11 inches,” said Stafford-Kirk. “He extended his own school record it by nine inches!”
It was an amazing finish by the senior who will continue on to the New England Championship showdown.
But Blair isn’t the only one with his postseason continuing into the month of June in the triple jump.
Anthony Paulino continues to keep Blair on his toes, performing well at the Open to continue on in the postseason.
“Junior teammate Anthony Paulino placed fourth, jumping over 44 feet for the first time,” said Stafford-Kirk. “His best attempt was 44 feet, 8.5 inches.”
And then in the 1600 meters, senior standout Frankie Porrini was tremendous once again, finishing the race in under 4:20.
He came in fourth place to earn a slot at the New Englands.
“Senior captain Frankie Porrini is starting to heat up in the 1600, running 4:16.53, one of the fastest times in school history,” said Stafford-Kirk.
Also performing well was Logan Jackson with another big personal record in the 110 hurdles.
He placed 10th overall with a time of 15.45, just missing the final cut.
Wyatt Gibson competed in the javelin, placing 22nd overall with a make of 130, 11 inches off a good toss.
“Although he didn’t have the performance he wanted, the junior will be back at it next season,” said Stafford-Kirk of Gibson.
For the girls at Central, junior Kylee Barnes placed fifth in the high jump with a successful attempt at five feet, two inches.
Barnes joined Blair, Porrini, and Paulino at the New England Championships on Saturday, taking place in Bangor, Maine.
“Coach Bonilla, the other coaches and I are beyond proud of this group of athletes,” said Stafford-Kirk. “They competed with the best in the state today and proved why BC Track & Field is a force to be reckoned with.”
Eastern’s Mulcunry also earned a trip to Maine
Bristol Eastern standout Jack Mulcunry continues to amaze in the 800 meters and made a top-four finish at the Open event.
Over another loaded field, Mulcunry finished the race in 1:54.36 for fourth place.
Simsbury’s Daniel cone won the heat with a time of 1:53.16 to take the 800 meter challenge.
2023 CIAC State Open Event
from Willow Brook Park, New Britain
Individual Results – Bristol Central
Boys Triple Jump:
1. Treshawn Blair, Bristol Central, 46-11; 2. Micah Blair, Amity, 45-05.75, 3. Jayson Burchell, Wethersfield, 45-01.75. 4. Anthony Paulino, Bristol Central, 44-08.50.
1600 Meter Run: 1. Steven Hergenrother, Ridgefield, 4:12.55; 2. Soheib Dissa, Newtown, 4:12.96; 3. Parker Broderick, Fairfield Wa, 4:14.12; 4. Frankie Porrini III, Bristol Central, 4:16.53.
Girls High Jump: 1. Shaelyn Murphy, Maloney, 5-04; 2. Tia Stapleton, Fairfield Lu, J5-04; 3. Avery Pitts, E.O. Smith, J5-04; 3. Meg Barnouw, Fairfield Wa, J5-04; 5. Kylee Barnes, Bristol Central, 5-02
Boys 800 Meter Run:
1. Daniel Coyne, Simsbury, 1:53.16; 2. Jack Mattingly, E.O. Smith, 1:53.41; 3. Luke Pacheco, Shelton, 1:54.14; 4. Jack Mulcunry, Bristol Eastern, 1:54.36.
