The COMPLETE New Balance Nationals Outdoor Boys Preview

Field Events Preview

NOTE: All rankings referenced in this section are FAT and wind-legal only, unless otherwise indicated.

High Jump

This could end up being a two-man battle between US #5 Eric Richards (Raymond MS), who has cleared 7' 2" this season, and US #7 Greg Lauray (Notre Dame Green Pond), who is over 7' 1".  If anyone is going to crash the party, it will be Jaron Brooks (Henry Clay KY), and he has the additional motivation of being only one-half inch away from breaking the 7-foot barrier.

Pole Vault

This could be THE event to watch for the whole weekend, so make sure you're on the right side of stadium!  National leader and HS record holder Chris Nilsen (Park Hill MO) will be in the house, and he will also have to be on his game to stay ahead of US #2 Armond Duplantis (Lafayette LA), another 18-footer.  The field also includes 17-footers Nick Johnson (Lake Hamilton AR) and Tristan Slater (Capital WV), plus 4 more jumpers who have cleared 16' 8" or better, so the competition for the podium should be fierce.

Long Jump

Rayvon Gray (Beacon NY) is the only 25-foot jumper entered, but he will still have plenty of competition.  Jalen Seals (Fort Worth Boswell TX) is US #4 this season, and US #5 Noah Igbinoghene (Hewitt-Trussville AL) is also in the field.  In fact, 5 of the top 15 jumpers in the nation will be present, including plus-24 athletes Christian Powell (Ben Davis IN, US #10) and William Henderson (Baltimore Poly MD, US #15).  The wildcard is Jace Attuso (Catholic LA), who has a 24' 8.75" on his resume without a recorded wind reading.

Triple Jump

The meet will start without a 50-foot wind-legal jumper, but there's a pretty good chance it won't end that way. Andre Wright (Seneca SC) posted a season best of 50' 6" but with no wind indicated; Dexter Neboh (Odessa Permian TX) is currently US #6 at 49' 5.25".  US #9 Garry Williams (Western Branch VA) has also been beyond 49 feet, which makes him a contender.

Shot Put

All four throwing events are very strong, and they get better as the meet goes on.  National leader Jordan Geist (Knoch PA) has a season best of 74' 4.5", which makes him the 7th-best performer in US high school history.  Adrian Piperi (The Woodlands TX, US #2) and Bronson Osborn (Esperanza CA, US #3) have both exceeded 71 feet, which sets us up with arguably the best field in meet history.  Could all three best the meet record of 71' 8.75"?  There should also be a highly competitive second group fighting for spots on the podium, headed by US #7 Luke Grodeska (St. Rose NJ).

Discus Throw

Terrell Adams (Middle Creek) has the best throw in the country this spring, but it was controversial - his 213' 9" mark hit a fence, although it was certified by a crew that included a USATF and NCAA certified official.  His second-best mark on the season is 204' 9", which would be US #2 if you discounted his best performance.  He will be one of FIVE throwers in the field who have gone beyond 200 feet this season!  That includes US #3 Osborn and US #4 Piperi, as well as Conner Bandel (Oxford MI, US #5) and Ryan Camp (Throw1deep GA, US #6).  This event is definitely worth the trip out to the field behind the season to watch.

Javelin Throw

This event may be the most top-heavy of the meet, with the top 6 athletes in the nation all expected to compete this weekend.  Trenton Allen (Derby KY) is the national leader, the only guy that has thrown farther than 220 feet this spring.  He should have a great battle with US #2 Liam Christiansen (Academic Magnet SC), whose season best is 219' 2".  If either of those two have an off day, a large group is waiting to capitalize, led by US #3 Mike Marsack (Stroudsburg) and US #4 Logan Wolfley (Silver Lake KS) - both have thrown 210' or further.  In total, there are 9 throwers with season bests greater than 200 feet entered!

Hammer Throw

Robert Colantonio (Barrington RI) sits on top of the national rankings, and he also occupies 5th place on the all-time performer list; he could be the most heavily favored athlete in the entire meet, with a season best that is 30 feet farther than the next-best competitor in the country.  That US #2 mark is held by Cameron Thompson (Lakeland/Panas NY), who will have his hands full just trying to earn second place with Mike Coppolino (Cumberland RI, US #3) also in the field.  Three more throwers have exceeded 210 feet this spring, and all told we will see 9 of the top 10 in the national rankings this weekend!