They're fast so see while you can: Newport County indoor track athletes to watch
Who's running the fastest? Who's jumping the farthest? Who has the endurance? The strength. The technique?
It all comes together in track and field, and for the 2023-2024 Rhode Island indoor high school season, we've identified these winter track and field Newport County athletes to watch.
KADEN THOMAS
Rogers High, junior, shot put
No. 1 in the state, Thomas already has a monster 51-9 shot put to his credit and has qualified for the 2024 Nike Nationals. Last season Thomas qualified for the New England meet. In outdoor track last spring, he qualified for New Englands in the discus. “When it is all said and done he will go down as one of the best thrower/track athletes Rogers has ever produced,” head coach Andrew Martucci said.
KATE CRUIKSHANK
Middletown High, junior, high jump
Like with the bar when she jumps, expectations are high this season for Cruikshank, who competes as an individual with the Portsmouth team. Last season, she took third place in the high jump in the all-state meet. She has already this year shown top form by clearing 5 feet, 5 inches for first place at the RICTA Invitational.
SEAN GRAY
Portsmouth High, sophomore, middle/distance
A nationals freshman race qualifier in the mile and 2 miles a year ago, Gray this past fall placed fourth at the state cross country championships and earned first-team all-state honors. This winter, Gray will be competing in races from the 800 meters to 3,000.
NICOLAS KENNEDY
Rogers High, senior, shot put
Kennedy has thrown 42 feet, 5.5 inches. He was sixth at the Southern Division meet and is ranked 10th in the state. Last spring, in his first season of track and field, he qualified for New Englands in the discus. “Nick has been a pleasure to coach,” said coach Andrew Martucci. “He brings excitement and a hardworking attitude with him everyday to practice.”
EMILY DeCONTO
Portsmouth High, sophomore, hurdles/sprints
As a freshman, she qualified for the State Championships in both the 300-meter and 55-meter hurdles and is expected to be among the upper tier this season. She is Portsmouth's most versatile runner and the leader of the 4x200 and 4x400 relay teams.
LAURA HOAG
Rogers High, junior, sprints
Last spring, Hoag took fifth place Class B in the 400 meters outdoors. This winter, she's slated to compete in the 55 meters (8.31), 300 meters (44.44) and both relays. “Laura has a positive attitude to grow and be the best she can,” coach Victoria Maxson said. “She goes the extra step and is always willing to try new things.”
AIDAN CHEN
Portsmouth High, junior, high jump
In last year's State Outdoor Championships, Chen took second place in the high jump. His current personal record of 6 feet, 4 inches puts him right in the mix of the boys in the mix for this winter's state title. Chen also runs in the relays.
ALI KAUL
Portsmouth High, junior, middle/distance
The Patriots' top distance runner, she'll be competing in the 1000, 1500, and 300 meters. A 10th-place finisher in the 3000 meters at last winter's State Championships, she is expected to place high in the state this season.
LANDON RODRIGUES
Portsmouth High, senior, hurdles/long jump
Watch Rodrigues rack up points in the hurdles, long jump and relays. He is one of the state's top returnees in the 55-meter hurdles, and was division champion in both the hurdles and long jump.
FLETCHER HANSON
Rogers High, senior, distance/relays
An exceptional student-athlete, Fletcher has already earned academic all-state honors in cross country and track and field. Last spring, he helped the Vikings' 4x400 and 4x800 teams to sixth place at the Class C Championships. “One of the best captains I have had the privilege to coach,” coach Andrew Martucci said. “He is one of the most responsible and dedicated athletes on the team.”
DESLIAN ROBLES
Rogers High, sophomore, hurdles/sprints
She made an impact as a freshman in the 55 meters (8.54) and 300 meters and won the 300 hurdles at the state outdoor freshman meet. “This has really boosted Deslian's confidence,” coach Victoria Maxson said, “and we are excited to see what she will do in her second year.” Robles is also a quick leg in both relays.
NATE DeCONTO
Portsmouth High, senior, sprints
One of the top short sprinters on the Patriots' roster, he should make some noise in the 55 meters, 300 meters and in the relays. Last year, he ran a reliable leg on the 4x200 and 4x400 relays.
HANNAH CONROY
Rogers High, sophomore, middle-distance
A middle-distance runner by trade, Conroy is embracing the challenge of adding shorter distances to her repertoire. She can compete in the 300 meters, 600 meters, and 1500 meters. “She is the team's hype girl always encouraging others and keeping the mood up,” head coach Victoria Maxson said.
ADRIEN NACCI
Rogers High, junior, distance/relays
He helped the Vikings' 4x800 and 4x400 relay teams to fifth-place finishes at the state junior varsity championships a year ago and helped both to their sixth-place finishes at the Class C meet. “One of the hardest working athletes on the team who has competed in 10 different events throughout his career,” coach Andrew Martucci said.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Newport County indoor track stars from Rogers, Middletown, Portsmouth
