Lasting Impressions: Hall puts on a show, Guiliani breaks shot put record
Kate Hall Interview | Dan Guilaini Interview | Isaiah Harris Interview | Jack Bouchard Interview
Senior Kate Hall of Lake Region is the best known track and field star in the state of Maine, with her 25 state titles, numerous state all-time bests, and that smile that seemingly never leaves her face.
Hall competing in the state for the final time as a high school athlete put on a show for the spectators at Thornton Academy on Saturday. Kate opened her competition with the long jump and she wasted little time in giving the fans something to ooh and ahh about as she leaped out to 20-0 1/4 jump that shattered the meet record of 19-3 1/2 despite being behind the board
The second trip down the runway went much better as her plant foot came down on the board and she drove up into the air and landed deep into the pit. The smile on Kate's face when exited the pit told the story and as the official pulled the tape tight she called for the judge to verify another record breaking jump.
The official called out "20-11", not only a meet record but the farthest jump in Hall's outdoor career breaking her own Maine all-time of 20-5 from earlier this spring.
4 more jumps wouldn't yield anymore records but on each legal she was way past the old meet record.
As soon as the long jump was finished it was time to prepare for the 100m dash trials where Hall entered as the meet record holder at 11.69. She wasted no time running the fastest trials qualifier of 11.50, a time under her previous meet record but unable to count for meet record purposes because of the lack of a wind gauge.
We caught up with Hall moments after the record "I'm just so happy I looked back at the clock and at first it said 11.3 but then switched to 11.41. I gave my friend "Q" the biggest huge in the world"
Day wasn't done though as Hall completed her day by running the 200m. Once again she was matched up with the defending champion "Q" McIntosh. The duo ran stride for stride until the last 30m where "Q" pulled away to win in 23.64 to Hall's 23.69. Both times were well under the old meet record but once again a lack of a wind gauge erasing the record breaking runs. The mark was under Hall's 23.98 all-time state best as well.
Over in the shot put circle South Portland junior Daniel Giuliani the heavy favorite to win the title after a runner-up finish in 2014 started slowly, but saved his best for last.
Knowing that he had won the competition Dan entered the circle for his final throw. "I was relaxed, I was calm, I had nothing to lose" Guiliani said of his final attempt.
It was a monster throw as the 12lb shot got out to 64-2 1/4 breaking the former meet record of 64-1.
The difference for Guilaini was slowing down, "It was my last throw of the season, the whole meet I was really worked up, I had to slow down my spin and stay calm."
Earlier in the meet Dan earned all New England honors in the discus with his sixth place 155-0 effort.
Will another year left for Guiliani we can expect to see more record breaking throws in the near future.
Defending 800m champion Isaiah Harris of Lewiston HS was looking to defend his title and chase the meet record. Harris set the early pace as it was windy on the back stretch, and no one wanted to challenge Penn State bound senior as they crossed the first 400 in 57 seconds. With the slow early pace the meet record attempt was out the door as Harris continued to lead the pack as the hit 200m to go. The pack started to close in but the last 100m belonged to Harris as he pulled easily away from his challengers to stop the clock in a seasonal best 1:52.74.
After winning the 800m, Harris had less than 30 minutes before he was back in blocks to contest the 200m. Compared to the other sprinters he was a bit behind coming off the turn, but as he always does Isaiah chewed up the deficit with each stride as he got all the way to 4th to earn all New England honors. His time 21.82 was well under the former Maine all-time best of 22.07.
York's Jack Bouchard continued his undefeated spring in the javelin as he won the title with a toss of 196-1. His winning effort was over 11ft further than the runner-up, and his 6th effort of the season over 190ft.
Cheverus's Nick White ended his career with a runner-up finish in the discus as the Class A state champion thew 162-4 to match his personal best, while Waterville junior Trever Gray 160-4 effort earned his a third place finish.
In the girls discus Greely junior Alyssa Coyne placed 6th with her throw of 118-8 to earn all New England honors while in the shot put Thornton Academy senior Victoria Lux ended her career with a personal best and state leading 40-6 3/4 to finish 4th.
In the boys triple jump Maine was well represented as USM bound senior Drew Gamage of Oak Hill jumped 46-1 1/2 to placed third while South Portland's Michael Cuesta avenged his off day at the Class A state meet with a 44-11 1/4 leap to place 5th earning all New England honors.
Mattanawcook sophomore Tia Tardy ran her second fastest time of the season as she clocked 2:14.33 to finish 5th in the 800m. While in the 3200m Lewiston junior Osman Doorow ran a huge personal best and state leading time of 9:29.85 to win the first section, his time would hold up for 5th place to earn him all New England honors.