Boys Indoor Track Wins Northern Division Championship

Saint Raphael Academy took a surprising (to some) turn at the Boys Indoor Track Class Championship meet on January 23, winning first place in the Northern Division – a feat that has not been accomplished in more than 20 years.
“Everybody had their best meet at the same time,” said a very proud head coach Scott Grandfield. “Those kids were so pumped. It was a total team effort.”
The team as a whole earned an impressive 112 points, besting second-place team Woonsocket High School’s 77 points. Saints runners earned first-place in five of their races, and locked in second place in many of them as well. “It was a pleasant surprise,” said Grandfield, noting that the indoor track team has won their division less than 10 times in the history of the team.
Saints seniors Ben Bradley and Brice Gillis, along with junior Reilly Johnston and freshmen Darius Kipyego won the 4x800 meter relay.
Medeiros was a standout in the long-distance events, finishing first in the 1500 meter and 1000 meter, and second in the 3000 meter. Other first place finishes for the team were Johnston in the 3000 meter, and recent transfer and sophomore Jacob Lamothe in the 55-meter dash.
Kipyego also earned second in the 1500 meter and 600 meter, and Gillis won third place in 1000 meter. In field events, Manee Castillo won second place in long jump.
“We are a young team. The majority of the best performances were sophomores and freshmen,” said Grandfield.
The indoor track team will continue with its post-season meets, with the JV States on February 14 and the RI State Championship on February 17.