Building your adventure: CIA veteran shares an inspiring story about courage with graduates | National
One of the greatest joys about being retired from CIA is the opportunity I now enjoy to immerse myself in our local community, especially the schools where my kids and their pals spend their days in class and on the sports fields. After all, freedom of opportunity in our glorious country starts with a good […]
One of the greatest joys about being retired from CIA is the opportunity I now enjoy to immerse myself in our local community, especially the schools where my kids and their pals spend their days in class and on the sports fields.
After all, freedom of opportunity in our glorious country starts with a good education.
Around this time of year I’m always honored to speak with high school seniors who are about to take a momentous step forward toward building their own adventure. My message to them invokes one of the most courageous and inspirational people I’ve ever met, Gib Smith.
I first met Gib in the late 1980s when we were assistant swim coaches for the Capital Sea Devils, based in Washington, D.C. In addition to coaching, we both swam the morning practice with the older kids ages 12 to 18 from 5 to 7 a.m.
I’M BUILDING HOPE ON CHICAGO’S NOTORIOUS SOUTH SIDE
Gib, who had swum all through high school and for James Madison University, was the fastest swimmer in the pool. He and I were both in our early 20s and from the moment we met, I admired Gib for being such a strong swimmer even though our days of competing in water polo and college swim meets were long behind us.
But what made Gib’s swimming prowess so extraordinary was that he was also fighting cancer. Having been diagnosed with leukemia shortly after graduating from college, Gib would show up for practice even after having been subjected to arduous cancer treatment the day before.
He inspired all of us, including future Olympian Tom Dolan, who was then only 12 years old and just starting to come into his own as a brilliant long distance and individual medley swimmer. I fondly remember good-naturedly teasing Tom, asking how it was that Gib was crushing him in practice even while recovering from another round of radiation.
In 1988, Gib raised $12,000 for the National Cancer Institute by competing in the Chesapeake Bay Bridge swim race held each year in early June. Even while fighting cancer, Gib was building his own adventure.
MAKE COLLEGE COMMENCEMENTS BORING AGAIN
Adventure implies getting outside one’s comfort zone, which is especially challenging for cancer patients. That’s why Gib’s story should resonate with high school graduates as they take the next step in what can often feel like a daunting new chapter in their lives.
First, few high school graduates have escaped some adversity in their lives, perhaps on the sports field, or God forbid as was the case for my own children, family trauma. But as British Prime Minister Winston Churchill once said, “If you’re going through hell, keep going.”
In the words of my former boss at CIA Dave Petraeus, Gib overcame adversity by staying “fit to fight.” Swimming 6,000-yard practices each morning defined Gib’s will to overcome adversity by never ever giving up.
Second, high school graduates should already be thinking about connecting with something larger than themselves by making a valuable contribution to their community, maybe even to our nation or beyond. Gib was not only empathically thinking of other cancer patients, he also impacted the rest of us.
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Anyone who might have been weary at the end of swim practice only had to glance over at Gib fighting through the pain with every bit of strength he had. We were all better swimmers because of him. And for years at CIA and now in retirement, there has hardly been a day that goes by when I do not think of Gib, and the shining example he set.
Third, as they start preparing to make important life decisions, high school graduates should be asking themselves this significant question: Why?
In the words of my SEAL Team Six friends, Gib planned the dive and dove the plan. He was swimming through brackish Chesapeake Bay water overflowing with jellyfish that morning because that’s how he chose to fight cancer and do his part to help others suffering the same cruelly arbitrary fate. We should strive to be honest with ourselves about the reasons for our big life decisions.
Gib successfully completed the grueling two-hour, 4-5-mile Chesapeake Bay Bridge race despite the frigid water and strong currents. He also beat cancer, earned a law degree, got married and had two children, who are now grown up and on to building their own adventures.
So go forth, high school graduates, and take inspiration from the great ones around you as you choose your path in life’s great adventure.
UConn’s Big Bet: Inside The Bold New Era Of College Athlete Revenue Sharing
Image Credit, Vlad Vasnetsov In the high-stakes world of college sports, where tradition has long been protected by the illusion of amateurism, the University of Connecticut is tearing up the old playbook. With over $81 million projected in athletic department revenue for fiscal year 2026, UConn is not only preparing for the post-NCAA settlement era—it’s […]
In the high-stakes world of college sports, where tradition has long been protected by the illusion of amateurism, the University of Connecticut is tearing up the old playbook. With over $81 million projected in athletic department revenue for fiscal year 2026, UConn is not only preparing for the post-NCAA settlement era—it’s attempting to own it.
At the heart of this reinvention lies one bold decision: start paying athletes directly, and do it before the rest of the pack figures out how.
UConn’s plan includes allocating nearly $18 million in direct revenue-sharing payments to its student-athletes next year, a figure that places it just shy of the NCAA’s imposed $20.5 million cap. That kind of aggressive commitment isn’t just a policy adjustment—it’s a cultural declaration. For decades, players generated billions in TV deals, merchandise sales, and ticket revenue while watching their coaches and athletic directors grow wealthy. Now, UConn is breaking ranks, giving athletes a legitimate seat at the table they built.
David Benedict, UConn’s athletic director, doesn’t shy away from the stakes. He calls the move a “foundational reinvention,” but it’s more than that—it’s a challenge to the status quo. While other programs are scrambling to understand the implications of the NCAA’s antitrust settlement, UConn is choosing to get ahead of it. They’re not hedging their bets; they’re going all in.
This isn’t about NIL money, where athletes hustle brand deals on Instagram. This is direct compensation from the school itself, tied to institutional revenue and driven by the product on the field. And UConn’s product, particularly in men’s and women’s basketball, has become one of the most bankable brands in college athletics. With a recent $20 million naming rights deal for the downtown Hartford arena locked in, the university is actively monetizing every piece of its athletic identity.
Of course, this shift doesn’t come without controversy. Critics argue that this model prioritizes the sports that sell—primarily football and basketball—while leaving non-revenue sports behind. Wrestling, gymnastics, swimming—these programs already struggle for funding and attention. Under a pay-for-play structure, some fear they may disappear altogether. There’s a real concern that as schools chase profitability, the principle of athletic diversity could be sacrificed in the process.
Benedict insists UConn will remain committed to its full athletic offering, but the reality is clear. The revenue will go where the market dictates. That may be uncomfortable for traditionalists, but it’s the new logic of a post-amateurism system.
What’s striking about UConn’s approach is how deliberately it mirrors the professional sports model. The school is building digital infrastructure to track player impact, sponsorship value, and engagement data, making it easier to justify who gets paid—and how much. They’re creating a pipeline that rewards not just talent, but contribution, value, and brand lift. In a sense, student-athletes are now employees in everything but name.
Across the country, athletic departments are watching closely. Some are optimistic, seeing UConn as a model for how to adapt. Others are nervous, knowing that most schools don’t have UConn’s championship pedigree or revenue base. For the institutions already on the financial brink, the shift toward player compensation could trigger collapse or consolidation. For powerhouse programs, it’s a chance to solidify dominance—and attract top talent with guaranteed paydays.
Whether this marks the beginning of a golden age or a slow unraveling of college athletics as we know it, one thing is certain: the amateur era is dead. UConn isn’t pretending otherwise. They’re not asking for permission. They’re building the future—and forcing everyone else to catch up.
This moment isn’t just about fairness or finance. It’s about reckoning with the truth. For years, college sports profited off the unpaid labor of its stars while draping itself in academic virtue. That model no longer holds. UConn’s decision to pay its athletes is both a business move and a moral pivot. It says, out loud, what the rest of the industry has whispered for decades.
The players have always been the product. Now, at least at one university, they’re finally getting paid like it.
Athletics Alumni Invited to “Rowan Day at the Races” on August 3 at Monmouth Park
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GLASSBORO, NJ – Rowan Athletics invites all alumni student-athletes to its first-ever “Rowan Day at the Races” on Sunday, August 3 at Monmouth Park Racetrack from noon to 5 p.m. Reconnect with former teammates and enjoy a day surrounded by fellow Profs, while taking in the excitement of horse […]
GLASSBORO, NJ – Rowan Athletics invites all alumni student-athletes to its first-ever “Rowan Day at the Races” on Sunday, August 3 at Monmouth Park Racetrack from noon to 5 p.m. Reconnect with former teammates and enjoy a day surrounded by fellow Profs, while taking in the excitement of horse racing. Registration deadline is Thursday, July 17.
REGISTER HERE
There are two packages available:
BROWN: $40 for alumni and $60 for a non-alumni guest; Includes buffet, cash bar and giveaways
GOLD: $500 for 2 tickets to Exclusive Club Suite; Features buffet, top-shelf open bar and VIP gift
Monmouth Park Racetrack (175 Oceanport Ave., Oceanport, NJ 07775)
Kenyan runners set new world records at 50th Prefontaine Classic in Eugene
EUGENE Ore. (KPTV) – Two new world records were set at the 50th edition of the Prefontaine Classic at historic Hayward Field on Saturday. Olympic gold medalist Faith Kipyegon broke her own world record in the 1500 meters. The 31-year-old ran the event in three minutes and 48 seconds, topping her world-best mark set in […]
EUGENE Ore. (KPTV) – Two new world records were set at the 50th edition of the Prefontaine Classic at historic Hayward Field on Saturday.
Olympic gold medalist Faith Kipyegon broke her own world record in the 1500 meters.
The 31-year-old ran the event in three minutes and 48 seconds, topping her world-best mark set in 2023.
The native Kenyan recently teamed with Nike in an attempt to become the first woman to record a sub-four-minute mile.
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The four-minute mile barrier is still intact, but Olympic Gold Medalist Faith Kipyegon completed the fastest mile a woman has ever run on Thursday.
While Kipyegon failed to eclipse the elusive mark in Paris last month, she did break her own previous world record in the attempt, clocking in at four minutes and six seconds.
Kipyegon has won Olympic gold in the women’s 1500 in three consecutive games, dating back to 2016 in Rio de Janeiro.
In addition, fellow Kenyan Beatrice Chebet set a new mark in the 5000 meters, a record previously held by Kipyegon, becoming the first woman to eclipse the 14-minute mark in the event.
Chebet, 25, earned Olympic gold in the women’s 5000 at the 2024 games in Paris.
Montana 100 Meter field set for 2025 Big Sky State Games
BILLINGS — A new event that athletes and spectators have been calling for will help to kickstart the 40th anniversary Big Sky State Games Opening Ceremonies. The Montana 100 Meter male and female races, sponsored by Rocky Vista University, will be a highlight event and complement the popular Montana Mile, which will be held for the 34th […]
BILLINGS — A new event that athletes and spectators have been calling for will help to kickstart the 40th anniversary Big Sky State Games Opening Ceremonies.
The Montana 100 Meter male and female races, sponsored by Rocky Vista University, will be a highlight event and complement the popular Montana Mile, which will be held for the 34th time for the men and 26th for the women during Opening Ceremonies at Lockwood High School Stadium Friday, July 18, at 7 p.m.
“Every year we do the Montana Mile and people are like, ‘Why don’t you highlight the sprinters?’ And so, that’s been a comment we’ve heard for, I don’t know, as long as I’ve been here, you know? For 20 years,” said Big Sky State Games executive director Liana Susott. “And it just hasn’t worked out time-wise and we thought this would be a perfect opportunity to see what the interest is out there, to see if the sprinters want to come out and participate in the Montana 100.”
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Huntley Project’s Avery Gerdes is one of the entrants in the inaugural Montana 100 Meter race set for the Big Sky State Game’s Opening Ceremonies July 18 at Lockwood High School Stadium.
AMY LYNN NELSON,Billings Gazette
Like the Montana Mile, the Montana 100 is an invitational race and will feature some of the Treasure State’s fastest high school, college and post-collegiate sprinters.
When scouring results for fast times, BSSG sports management intern and Montana Mile/Montana 100 Meter organizer Ben Ralston said the cutoff time was 11.2 seconds for males and 12.6 seconds for females; which are “both fairly fast times,” he noted.
Overall, 10 males are entered and eight females.
“We went down our list and emailed the people, like, ‘You’re fast enough. We want you to run.’ And they would email back, trying to confirm or deny us,” said Ralston of the process. “And we would go down our list to get our 10 fastest guys that were available to run during Opening Ceremonies.”
Ralston said that when BSSG officials contacted possible entrants, most were stoked to have the offer to race in the event.
“Word got out about the Montana 100 and we had people emailing us, like, ‘Hey, I heard this would happen. I’d love to run in it,'” Ralston explained. “And, unfortunately, we had to turn a few people down just because they weren’t fast enough. But people were really excited for the Montana 100, this being the first year it’s available.”
Ben Ralston, who finished his track and field career at Montana State Billings this past spring, is one of the entrants in the inaugural Montana 100 Meter race set for the Big Sky State Game’s Opening Ceremonies July 18 at Lockwood High School Stadium.
LARRY MAYER, Billings Gazette
The Montana 100 won’t feature heats leading into the separate male and female races. It’s a simple playground formula of one male and one female 100-meter “winner-takes-all” race Ralston said.
The Montana 100 is slated to occur before the Montana Mile and will begin at approximately 8-8:30 p.m. during the BSSG Opening Ceremonies on Friday, July 18, at the Lockwood High School track. Ralston, who competed collegiately in track and field at Montana State Billings before finishing his Yellowjacket career this past school year, is also entered in the Montana 100.
“I’m excited for it. It’ll be a fun time,” he said. “It’ll be my last official race, because I just graduated college. So, it’s a good way to send off my career.”
There will be a third race during Opening Ceremonies involving mascots from local businesses and various Montana colleges. Torchy, the BSSG mascot, will compete.
“We’re going to do a mascot race, too,” said Susott. “We brought that last year and it was really fun for the mascots to go out there. They’ll probably only run a 50 meter, but it will be fun.”
The Montana 100 male and female fields are listed below with biographical information for each runner provided by the Big Sky State Games.
Montana 100 Meter
Male field
Cohen Allen
Allen just finished a successful high school athletic career at Billings West, competing in track and field and cross country. He will be attending Brigham Young University in Idaho in the fall. During his time at West, Allen received the Captains Award (cross country), Coaches Award (cross country), Boys Top Pole Vaulter (track and field), the Mike Patrick Award (track and field), and placed fifth in the pole vault at the State AA meet.
Tyler Grenier
Grenier will be a sophomore in the fall at Montana State University Billings. Grenier attended high school in Livingston where he earned the designations of one-time all-state and three-time all-conference. During his freshman year at MSUB, Tyler was a two-time GNAC Conference qualifier in indoor and outdoor track.
Elijah Gibson
Gibson will be going into his junior year at Billings West. Gibson has had a successful track career, marking personal bests this last season in the 100, 200, and 400. He placed first in the 200 at the SCAD Track meet.
Dawson Hammond
Hammond will be a senior at Malta in the fall. He holds the school record for the 100 and 4x100M relay. While in high school, Hammond was named most valuable runner twice, team captain, and achieved all-state in track. In 2025, Hammond placed fourth in the 100 and sixth in the 200 in at the Class B state track meet.
Jaycee Herbert
Herbert will be a Senior at Montana State University Billings in the fall, where he is studying athletic training. He was named NCAA Great Northwest Athletic Conference athlete of the week. Herbert attended Wind River High School in Pavillion, Wyoming, where he was a three-time all-state performer in track and field, including the 100 and 200 state champion. He also ranks second in MSUB history in the 100, second in the 60, and third overall in the 200.
Ryan LaMere
LaMere will be a sophomore at Rocky Mountain College this fall studying education. LaMere went to Billings Senior, where he was a two-time all-conference, one-time all state in the 100, team captain and most improved Bronc. He also won the 2025 Frontier Conference Championship Track Meet in the 100.
Rocky Mountain College’s Ryan LaMere stands atop the podium after winning the men’s 100-meter dash during during Day 2 of the 2025 Frontier Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Vigilante Stadium in Helena. LaMere is one of the entrants in the inaugural Montana 100 Meter race set for the Big Sky State Game’s Opening Ceremonies July 18 at Lockwood High School Stadium.
Gary Marshall
Zach Merrifield
This fall, Merrifield will be entering his sophomore year at Montana Tech. Merrifield attended Butte High School, where he competed in track and field. He placed seventh in the 60 at the Whitworth Indoor Invitational Track Meet.
Oliver Mow
Mow will be a junior at Helena Capital this fall. He is a Capital school record holder for the 110-meter hurdles. Mow was all-state in 2024 and 2025. He competed at the Nike Outdoor Nationals Track Meet, where he ran the 110 hurdles. He plans to attend the University of Washington.
Ben Ralston
Ralston just finished up his career at Montana State University Billings. Ralston went to Cole Valley Christian High School in Boise, Idaho. Ralston holds the MSU Billings school record in both the indoor and outdoor 400, ranks third in school history in the 100 and second overall in the 200. While in high school, Ralston was a part of the three-time Class 2A state championship 4x200M relay team as well as placing second in the 400 and fifth in the 200.
Drifter Skillicorn
Skillicorn attended Polson High School before going to Rocky Mountain College, where he will be a junior this fall. While in high school, Drifter earned Class A all-State one year and earned the Polson High School MVP award two years. During his time at Rocky, Drifter has earned the 200 school record for outdoor track and earned the designation of five-time all-conference and one time NAIA athlete of the week.
Women’s field
Nora Allen
Allen will be a junior at Billings West in the fall. She was a state track AA 4×100 champion this last year. During her time at West, she was named most inspiring track member on the team. Allen marked personal bests in the 100, 200, and 400 this last season.
Demry Boyd
Boyd will be entering her final year at Billings West in the fall. Boyd was a State AA champion in 4×100 and 4×400 during the 2025 season. She was named West High sprinter of the year. She has competed at state all three years of high school.
Macy Brandon
Brandon will be a senior at Havre High School in the fall. She holds the high school record for the 400 with a time of 57.94. Brandon has been named most valuable runner, is three-time all-state track and field, 4x100M Class A state champion, and third place in the 100, 200, and 400 during the 2025 State A track meet. Her dream is to run track at the collegiate level and pursue a pharmacy career.
Dalke will be finishing off her high school athletic career during the 2025-26 school year at Shepherd. Dalke won the 2025 Class B State Track Meet in the 100 and 200. Dahlke also marked personal bests this last season in the 100, 200 and 4×100.
Shepherd’s Kaimea Dalke is one of the entrants in the inaugural Montana 100 Meter race set for the Big Sky State Game’s Opening Ceremonies July 18 at Lockwood High School Stadium.
BEN ALLAN SMITH,Missoulian
Gerdes will be completing her final year at Huntley Project beginning in the fall. Gerdes holds the school record for the 200, 400, 800, high jump, and triple jump. Gerdes is a three-time 400 Class B state champion, three-time 800 Class B state champion, and two-time triple jump Class B state champion. Gerdes is an eight-time Class B state champion and 18-time all-state honoree in track and field.
Sofia Szollosi
Szollosi will be a senior in the fall at Missoula Hellgate. This year she was crowned the Class AA state champion for the 100. She also holds the Hellgate school records in the 100, 200, and 4×100. Szollosi is a three-time academic all-state/all-conference honoree. She signed to attend Davidson College (North Carolina) on a track and field scholarship.
Regan Torgerson
Torgerson will be a junior at Shelby in the fall. Torgerson holds the school record at Shelby for the 100, 200, and 400. She took second place in the 100, 200, and 400 at the 2025 State B track meet. Torgerson is a three-time athlete of the week on the KSEN radio station.
Kellan Wahl
Wahl finished her final year at Rocky Mountain College with two degrees in psychology and sociology. Wahl went to Billings Central, where she was designated three-time all-state in Class A and in 2021 she placed fourth in the 100, third in the 200, and fifth in the 400. Wahl was a Class A state champion in 2019 in the 200. During her collegiate years at Rocky, she set school records in the indoor 60, 100, 200 and outdoor 100, 200, and 4×100.
NOTES: The Athlete Fun Zone at Lockwood High School opens at 5 p.m. for Opening Ceremonies on July 18. The parade of athletes is at 7:15 p.m. Admission is free to the Opening Ceremonies. For information, call 406-254-7426 or go to bigskygames.org. … Opening Ceremonies is sponsored by Wendy’s. Major Sponsors of the State Games are Kampgrounds of America, First Interstate Bank, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana, and Rebel River Creative.
Email Gazette Sports Editor John Letasky at john.letasky@406mtsports.com or follow him on X/Twitter at @GazSportsJohnL
What do fans really think about women's sports sponsors?
28.9m UK adults now aware of at least one women’s sport partnership 30% of consumers think more favourably of companies or brands that support women’s sport through sponsorship 43% of UK adults feel more positive towards brands that support their local community through women’s sport New research from the Women’s Sport Trust (WST) has revealed […]
28.9m UK adults now aware of at least one women’s sport partnership
30% of consumers think more favourably of companies or brands that support women’s sport through sponsorship
43% of UK adults feel more positive towards brands that support their local community through women’s sport
New research from the Women’s Sport Trust (WST) has revealed that awareness of women’s sport sponsorship has reached a new high, with 28.9 million UK adults now aware of at least one partnership.
‘The Consumer View’, which is an update of the WST’s 2023 research exploring how women’s sport sponsorships are resonating with fans and driving brand impact, analysed 40 partnerships and included case studies showing how brands across sectors are delivering real value through smart, purpose-led investment.
Developed with support from sponsorship consultancy Onside, the report found that women’s sport drives brand positivity and purchase intent, with 30 per cent of consumers saying they feel more favourable towards brands that support women’s sport through their sponsorship, compared to 20 per cent for men’s sport.
This translates into behaviour, with 9.96 million adults more likely to buy from a brand that sponsors women’s sport, a figure that has grown two per cent since 2023.
The report also noted that, on certain metrics, non-traditional sports sponsors are outperforming legacy sport brands. Notably, beauty, family and lifestyle companies, including Il Makiage, Joie, Rexona and Clinique, are leveraging the emotional connection and storytelling potential of women’s sport to reach new audiences.
Brand ambassador partnerships with female athletes also carry more weight, according to WST, with 30 per cent of consumers feeling more positive about the sponsoring brand having brand ambassador partnerships with female athletes, versus 23 per cent for male athletes.
Furthermore, the study stated that brands that reflect fans’ values, by tackling inequality, supporting community or investing in the long-term future of women’s sport, gain stronger consumer sentiment and loyalty. More than half of all UK adults (52 per cent) believe brands should use their women’s sport sponsorships to drive positive social change, not just promote products, according to the report.
Support for addressing inequality is particularly strong, with 45 per cent feeling more positive towards brands that address the inequality of opportunities provided to women and girls in grassroots sports. 54 per cent of young adults (18 to 34 year-olds) responded positively to brands that help address issues that impact on female participation in sports.
Community-level engagement was cited as one way this values-led approach is resonating. 33 per cent said sponsorship of women’s sport at community/grassroots level would make them more likely to recommend the brand to family/friends, compared to 31 per cent for men’s sport.
In addition, 30 per cent agreed that if price was taken out of the equation, they would choose one brand over another if they were involved in women’s sport sponsorship at community/grassroots level, compared to 28 per cent for the equivalent men’s sponsorship.
Local presence matters too, according to WST, with 43 per cent feeling more positive towards brands that engage local communities through their women’s sports sponsorships.
The report highlighted that for brands seeking lasting connection, women’s sport offers a clear opportunity to lead with values and deliver meaningful impact. The findings also emphasised that women’s sport offers a clear commercial opportunity due to it delivering strong brand connection, emotional resonance and high levels of purchase consideration.
The study also revealed that 68 per cent of UK adults want brands to invest in the future of women’s sport, not just short-term visibility. Therefore, this suggests an opportunity for brands to differentiate themselves by engaging early and meaningfully in women’s sport as the market continues to mature.
“Women’s sport sponsorship works – but it works differently”, said Tammy Parlour, chief executive of WST. “It demands a different lens, different activations, and a sharper focus on relevance, values, and storytelling.
“The brands seeing results are those showing up consistently and meaningfully. The message is clear: brands that act now can help shape the future of women’s sport, and win consumer trust in the process.”
Get access to richer content, exclusive reports, unparalleled business intelligence, and community benefits to help you navigate the next frontier of sport and make more informed decisions with a SportsPro+ Premium membership. Discover more here.
Meet The Providence Journal 2025 Boys Track and Field All-State team
La Salle wins the boys track and field team championship on June 8 La Salle wins the boys track and field team championship on June 8 The Providence Journal is proud to announce the 2025 All-State Baseball first and second teams. The Journal Sports staff, with some help from the coaches associations, determine the first- […]
La Salle wins the boys track and field team championship on June 8
La Salle wins the boys track and field team championship on June 8
The Providence Journal is proud to announce the 2025 All-State Baseball first and second teams. The Journal Sports staff, with some help from the coaches associations, determine the first- and second-team members. All first-team members were nominees for Player of the Year in that sport, and winners were announced at the All-State Awards show held June 18 at the Providence Performing Arts Center, featuring Rhode Island FC midfielder Clay Holstad.
First Team
Jack Pawlik, 100, 200
East Providence, sophomore
One of this spring’s breakout performers, Pawlik swept the 100 and 200 at Brown Stadium to seal his place as the state’s fastest boy. He was the only runner to crack 11 seconds in the 100 and one of just two to break 22 seconds in the 200, winning in 21.90. There figures to be more coming from him in future seasons.
Garrett Giroux-Pezzullo, 400
La Salle, junior
Giroux-Pezzullo claimed individual gold in the 400 to go along with his key contributions in the relays. His time of 48.75 seconds made him the only runner in the field to break the 49-second mark and added 10 team points for the Rams, who earned their second championship in four years.
Eamon O’Brien, 800
La Salle, junior
O’Brien used a strong finishing kick to take gold in the 800, clocking a time of 1 minute, 54.54 seconds to outlast a challenging field. That result was good for 10 team points, and O’Brien added some important work in the relays to help the Rams lift the team championship.
Colby Flynn, 1,500
Bishop Hendricken, sophomore
The Hawks never seem to lack for distance talent and Flynn certainly fits in nicely with that tradition. His time of 3 minutes, 57.71 seconds was good for gold against a stacked field in the 1,500. Flynn helped his team to a runner-up finish over two days at Brown Stadium.
Sean Gray, 3,000
Portsmouth, junior
Much like he did last spring, Gray dominated the 3,000 field at the state meet to claim gold by more than 16 seconds. That was just a warmup for his effort at New Balance Nationals, as Gray closed fourth in the 5,000 against a decorated field. He should begin 2025-26 as the boy to beat in just about any race he enters.
Jalen Moseley, 110 hurdles, 300 hurdles
La Salle, sophomore
Moseley was one of the stars for the Rams while they lifted a team championship at Brown Stadium. His time of 37.67 seconds in the 300 hurdles broke state and meet records dating to 2014 and made him the first boy to dip below the 38-second barrier. Moseley also was first to the line in the 110, clocking a time of 14.18. Moseley was named The Providence Journal Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year.
Caleb Satisfield, High jump, long jump
Barrington, junior
Satisfield struck double gold after a spring that saw him break into exclusive company. He cleared the 7-foot mark in the high jump midway through the season and posted a mark of 6-6 while winning the state meet. Satisfield added another victory in the long jump with his distance of 22-4, besting a talented field.
Carson Dean, Pole vault
Bishop Hendricken, senior
Dean set a new state record while winning the Class A title and added a meet record while taking gold at Brown Stadium. His height of 15 feet, 6 inches took down a 15-year-old mark and helped the Hawks close runner-up in the team standings. Dean will continue his career in the fall at the University of Rhode Island.
Hunter Schobel, Triple jump
Pilgrim, senior
Schobel graduates a gold medalist in the triple jump, with his distance of 44 feet, 9 inches good enough to hold off a strong field that saw all eight scorers post marks of 40 feet or better. He was a multisport talent with the Patriots who will continue his track and field career in the fall at Merrimack College.
Kaden Thomas, Discus, shot put
Rogers, senior
Thomas was impressive while winning double gold at Brown Stadium, standing out in both of his events. He won the discus by more than 10 feet with a throw of 158 feet, 6 inches and still had plenty in the tank to win the shot put. Thomas and his mark of 60-2 made him almost 4 feet better than the competition.
Owen Spira, Hammer
Exeter-West Greenwich, senior
The state hammer field was one of the toughest this spring — six of the top eight athletes at New Balance Nationals called Rhode Island home. Spira stood above the rest by winning gold at the state meet and in Philadelphia. His marks of 233 feet, 3 inches and 231-11 put him atop both podiums. Spira will continue in Iowa this fall when he suits up for Drake.
Kai Sorlien, Javelin
South Kingstown, junior
Sorlien is a multi-sport standout with the Rebels, and that includes championship ability in track and field. He won state meet gold in the javelin this spring by more than 10 feet, thanks to his mark of 184 feet, 2 inches at Brown Stadium.
4×100 — La Salle (Joshua Aceto, Garrett Giroux-Pezzullo, Jackson Alves, Amari Monteiro)
The Rams used some relay gold to help build their point total while chasing the team title. This foursome clocked a time of 42.09 seconds that was just off the meet record. Aceto is committed to Iona and Monteiro graduates a state champion while Giroux-Pezzullo and Alves both figure to help La Salle in a bid to repeat next season.
This quartet banked the final 10 team points as the Rams clinched a title over two days at Brown Stadium, winning their race by more than five seconds in 3:19.38. They’re also among a cadre of runners who helped La Salle close inside the top 10 in the sprint medley, 4×200 and 4×400 at New Balance Nationals in Philadelphia.
4×800 — Barrington (Brady Andrew, Henry Stockwell, Michael Chun, Marius Bonard)
The Eagles started the action on the track at the state meet with victory in the distance relay. Two juniors handed off to two seniors while completing eight laps in 7 minutes, 57.42 seconds. Barrington was the only team in the field to break eight minutes and prevented La Salle from making it a clean sweep.
Second Team
100 — Joseph Forbes, Central, senior
200, long jump — Jalen Moseley, La Salle, sophomore
| March 26, 2025
