EAST PROVIDENCE — The East Providence High School indoor track and field teams began their 2022-23 seasons in earnest last week upon their return to classes following the holiday recess.

In a division that includes traditional track powers LaSalle, Classical and Barrington, the EPHS boys’ club has consistently held its own over the years under the guidance of long-time head coach Bob Lyons.

The EPHS girls continue to show well under veteran coach Mike Almeida and in the Sullivan Division, named in the honor of the late girls’ sports advocate, Interscholastic League administrator and former teacher in city Alice Sullivan. 

More boys’ notes
The Townies finished fourth out of 10 teams behind the rival Rams, the Purple and neighboring Eagles in last year’s boys' Metropolitan Division dual meet standings. LaSalle eventually took home the division, Class A and state championship titles in ’21-22.

“The Metropolitan Division in my opinion is the toughest in the state,” said Lyons, who counts 38 athletes on his roster to begin the winter. “The team's realistic expectation is to have a winning regular season record during the dual meet portion of our season, while finishing in the top five at both the Metropolitan Division and Class A championship meets. Regarding the state meet, the ultimate goal as it always is, is to win a state championship, the realistic goal this year is to score double digit points at the state meet and have a few state individual champions.”

Senior captain Kit Ruddock leads the way and should contend for a top six placement in the 55 meter dash and the 300 as well as the long jump. Lyons expects juniors Dylan Slavick, Cameron Evora and Kenaz Ochogwu to compete at the state level in the high jump and long jump. Evora and Ochogwu double as EPHS basketball players.

Lyons said the Townies’ 4x200 meter relay team, usually a strong point of the squad, “is a work in progress,” but should qualify for the state meet as well. Ruddock, Evora, David Vieira, Slavick, Ochogwu are joined by sophomores Kwamahn Gilliard, Lucas Santa Cruz, Brian Rutkowski and Zekiah Hopper as well as freshmen Roger Beaudet and Julius Cortez are all in the mix for the four spots on the relay.

Vieira, Rutkowski and sophomore Nolan Travassos vie in the 55 meter hurdles. Senior Emmanuel Kanger leads a group of inexperienced throwers while sophomore Will Anthony paces a young contingent of distance runners.

“I’m excited about this team because we have many newcomers to the sport of track and field who also plan on competing during the outdoor season in the spring,” said Lyons, who welcomes back trusted throwing coach Debbie Bellamy as an assistant coach this season.

“I’m also hopeful we can put together competitive relay teams in the 4x400 and 4x800 meter relays and qualify them for the state meet,” he added. “With so many new individuals on the team, we’re still trying to put the kids in the best possible events to compete. I look forward to coaching these young men and seeing them progress throughout the season.”

More girls’ notes
The Townies shared sixth place in the girls' regular season with a 5-6 dual meet record last winter. Neighboring Bay View went undefeated at 11-0 and also claimed the Sullivan championship meet crown.

Almeida said the Townies’ 4x200 relay team consisting of sophomores Nazarae Phillip, Kandace Daniel and Samantha Clarke along with junior Giselle Raphael should be a top six team with a chance to win the event at states.

Individually, Phillip made known her intention to be one of the best sprinters around by winning the 55 meter dash at the annual Rhode Island Track Coaches Association Invitational in mid-December. The performance qualified her for indoor nationals later in the winter.

Phillip posted the fastest time in state so far this season in defeating West Warwick rival, fellow sophomore and reigning freshman dash state champ Xenia Raye by running a 7.47 to the latter’s 7.49. Almeida said the Townies' sophomore should also be a factor in the 300.

Mates Daniel, Clarke and Raphael, the coach continued, should be threats to place at states in the 55, 300 and 600. Clark and Raphael are joined on a talented 4x4 relay team by senior Gladys Barrera and junior Angelina Tavares. Barrera runs the 600 individually and is also a member of the 4x8 relay. Tavares jumps, long and high, as well.

Almeida said freshman Kendra Daniels “shows promise” in the sprints and may eventually earn a spot one of the relays while sophomores Kathryn Patalano and Magaret Robinson lead the Townies in the distance events in the 3,000, 1,500 and 1,000. The coach said the team is still seeking throwers to round out the squad.

“Hopefully all the momentum we gain indoors will continue for the outdoor season,” Almeida said, with an eye towards the spring campaign.

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