By Michael Letendre
BANGOR, MAINE – The 76th New England Interscholastic Boys and Girls Track & Field Championships from Cameron Stadium in Bangor, Maine came and went on Saturday as Bristol Central had a few representatives at the meet.
Bristol Eastern was also in Maine that day as a certain 800 meter speedster was in action.
Central’s Kylee Barnes performed well in the high jump that afternoon, clearing five feet – good for 14th place overall.
And Barnes was in the thick of it against the best New England had to offer.
Katie Caraco from Reading, Massachusetts took home first place with a make of five feet, five inches.
It’s a mark Barnes would like to attain after overcoming 5-3 along the way.
“[It was a] great season for Kylee,” said Bristol Central coach Tamara Stafford-Kirk. “She is such a talented athlete, and we are really looking forward to having her back next year to pick up where she left off in the jumps!”
Central’s Anthony Paulino was one of two triple jumpers from Bristol that qualified for the meet in Bangor.
He earned a solid 15th place finish with a leap of 41 feet, two inches to fend off several other jumps along the way.
“Anthony had a really strong junior season,” said Stafford-Kirk. “He will join the indoor team next year to train and make sure he is ready for a super outdoor senior season.”
And then Central senior Frankie Porrini placed fifth in the 1600, ending the bout in a blazing 4:15.33.
It was a personal best for the senior standout, earning an All-New England nod for the first time ever.
“Frankie has just gotten better and stronger these past three weeks,” said Stafford-Kirk. “The many miles he has put in over the years paid off. I couldn’t be prouder. He will race the 2k steeplechase at New Balance Nationals next week!”
Guilford’s Patrick Gandini won the 1600 meters in a blazing 4:09.01 while Newtown’s Sohaib Dissa (4:10.07) was the runner up.
And then Connecticut Class L State and Open champion Tre Blair was excellent in the triple jump once again.
His furthest make of 44 feet, 10.5 inches was good third place.
Blair, the recently minted CHSCA Boys Field Athlete of the Year, ended up with the longest leap of any athlete from Connecticut.
Amity’s Micah Blair came in one spot behind Blair in fourth place (44 feet, 9.75 inches).
“I won’t sugar coat it; this was not the outcome we wanted today,” said Stafford-Kirk. “Tre really hasn’t had a bad day all season. Unfortunately, it happened today. He still walked away with a third-place finish, but he wanted that win. I’m positive he will step up and perform well at New Balance Nationals next week!”
Two athletes managed to top Blair, needing to reach 47 feet each to do it.
Senior Conor Morin (Cony) reached 47 feet, six inches to win the New England’s while Corbin Flewelling (47-03.50) was the runner up.
Finally, Eastern’s Jack Mulcunry made a top-eight finish in the 800 meters.
He placed eighth overall in a time of 1:55.02, an excellent finish for the senior standout.
Mulcunry leaves BEHS as the record holder of the 800 meter event and ended up one of the Lancers’ most improved athletes.
