MCQUAID JESUIT TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETES “MAKE A STATE-MENT”
McQuaid Jesuit is no stranger to making an impact at the state meet in track and field. Despite the rich history of the program, it does not indicate future success. However, in the history books of 2022, McQuaid athletes would garner a few podium spots along the way.
Going into the day, the Knights were qualified in 5 events. Those events would be the 4×400 (Carlos-Martinez, Jacob Anderson, Collin Brown and Carson Larry). Jayson Chichelli would focus on the 1,000 meter and 1600 meter double, while Anderson would double back for the Intersectional relay for Section V. Competing on the infield would be 8th grader Rhoan Kaulder.
The Knights were able to podium in 3 of the 5 events. However, no effort garnered more attention than 8th grader Rhoan Kaulder who shocked the state as the individual champion for the long jump! Kaulder was seeded 6th in the event, not too far of the top talent in the state. On his second attempt, he would leap to a 22’10.5″ effort. That mark would be the only mark he needed to stay on top for good. Kaulder would post 3 out of 6 jumps further than runner up finisher who jumped 21’10”. Kaulder’s outstanding performance made him one of the rare 8th grader performers to ever win a state title on the male side of competition in any event. He has left multiple people digging for stats for such a comparison. As it stands right now, he has the 8th grade state record for the long jump and the 55 meter dash (set back in January). His mark ranks him 46th nationally (22′). Some have questioned if that would also be the 8th grade all time national record (as Jr. high data is hard to come by). His performance came in the presence of former 2x New York State Champion and High School National Champion Tomarris Bell (McQ 09′). Like Kaulder, Bell also holds a NYS class record (sophomore high jump).
On the track, Anderson would lead off Section V’s intersectional relay team that would go onto a 3rd place finish overall. Also reaching the podium was Chichelli as he would finish 8th place overall for federation and 6th place for New York State. Chichelli would come back a few hours later to take an 11th place finish in a strong 1600 meter field hitting a new personal best time. The 4×400 would turn to a couple of alternates, Anderson and Brown, on top of the original members Larry and Martinez. Chichelli and Kaulder would typically have a presence on the relay, but focused on their individual events. Despite that, the team would finish 11th overall of 19 teams, still hitting their seeded spot!
This weekend the Knights will be back in the Big Apple to compete in several events. Friday night will be the Sprint Medley Relay of Kaulder, Martinez, Larry and Chichelli. On Saturday Kaulder will compete in the 60 meter dash and long jump. Brown will be competing in the 5000 meter run. On Sunday, Chichelli will take on the field in an 800 meter race!
Congratulations and good luck to the Knights!