EAST PROVIDENCE —  Currently in the midst of their respective Eastern Division dual meet regular seasons, the East Providence High School outdoor track and field teams are each aiming to qualify as many athletes as possible for the state championship competition in early June.

“Unlike past years where the goal was to win dual meets, this year they’ll be used to evaluate and try different kids in different events in order to find their best events to compete when the championship portion of the season rolls around,” EPHS boys’ head coach Bob Lyons said of his squad.

“Unfortunately we lack field event athletes inhibiting us from winning dual meets,” said EPHS girls’ team head coach Mike Almeida. “Hopefully we get all of our relays and as many girls qualifying for states with a chance to place.”

Boys’ notes
According to Lyons, some of boys who could qualify for states on the track include junior Yusef Abdullah in the 100 and 200 meters, senior Adam Marschat in the 100 and 200 meters, senior Nick Morrison in the 100, 200, and 400 meters, junior Kitwana Ruddock in the 100 and 200 meters, senior Denzy Suazo in the 300 meter intermediate hurdles, and the 110 meter intermediate hurdles, sophomore Kenaz Ochogwu in the 100, 200 and 400 meters, junior Max Whiting in the 100, 200, and 400 meters, freshman Kwamahn Gilliard in the 100 and 200 meters, senior Justin Fiore in the 100 and 200 meters and freshman David Vieira in the 110 meter hurdles and 300 intermediate meters.

As for the relays, Morrison, Abdullah, Ruddock and Marschat are the lead contenders to run the 4x100. Morrison, senior Ethan Goncalves, Suazo and Whiting could compose a 4x400 quartet. Lyons said Ochogwu, Fiore, Whiting, Gilliard, junior Jerry Mercedes, sophomore Jaidin Ivy and sophomore Trey Rezendes will get an opportunity to run either or both the 4x1 and 4x4. The coach said the 4x800 team would come from the group of freshman William Massey, sophomore Jayden Delgado, freshman Kendrick Costa, freshman Lucas Santa Cruz, senior Ethan Goncalves and Suazo.

In the field, Ochogwu could also be in the mix in the high jump and long jump joined by sophomore Dylan Slavick in the long jump, high jump, and triple jump, senior Diondre Valles in the high jump, long jump, triple jump, senior Kameron Threatt in the shot put, and discus and senior Marcus Garedo in the long jump.

“There is a nice mixture on this year's team of seniors and underclassmen, but the team is for the most part new to the sport,” said Lyons. “I’m very happy to have such a large turnout for the team, consisting of many of the school's top athletes including members of the football, basketball, and soccer teams. The kids have shown up to practice daily, done everything they are asked to do and perhaps most importantly are having fun doing it.

“The team is a pleasure to work with and they have been very coachable. I’m trying to be patient, expecting the team to have a learning curve and a few bumps early, but like all the teams I've coached through the years, as the weather warms up so will we, at least that’s the hope.”

Girls’ notes
The strength of the EPHS girls’ team according to Almeida lays in its runners. The Townies have quality athletes in all three track disciplines: sprinters, middle distance and distance.
Speedsters freshman Nazarea Phillip and sophomore Kandace Daniel continue to build outdoors on their fine indoor seasons this past winter. They’ll run legs of the Townies’ 4x100 relay along with sophomore Samantha Clarke and sophomore Angelina Tavares. Phillip and Daniel, individually, should also be in contention to qualify for both the 100 and 200 meter solo dashes.

The 4x400 team is likely to consist of senior Katherene Diaz Araujo, sophomore Giselle Raphael, junior Gladys Barrera and Clarke. Katherene Diaz Araujo, Barrera, senior Michelle Diaz Araujo and senior Naveah Lanois are the likely 4x800 quartet.

Other sprinters Almeida expects to be in the mix are Tavares, Clarke and freshman Madison Slavick. Barrera and Raphael could make some noise in the hurdles. The coach said another aim is to develop some jumpers who could be successful in Slavick, Tavares and junior Emma Nordquist, who doubles as a key contributor to the EPHS girls’ lacrosse team.

— East Providence Post and eastbayri.com staff photographer Rich Dionne shot the accompanying gallery of photos.