Storyline #6: Hotshot Strong Arms Ready To Ignite
There's potential for a few throwers to put their name at the top of the record books in New York.
Boys Shot Put
In one spectacular season, Jordan Geist has improved from 68-6 in his opener to No. 3 All-Time, 72-9.5. He placed fourth here last year and a 'W' seems somewhat imminent.
Although, wait! Hold up -- No. 2 ranked Adrian Piperi, who recorded just one throw this indoor season, lives in Texas, where it's full-fledged outdoor season and just last weekend joined the 70-footer club with a US #1 70-1 outdoor throw.
Now, it's looking like a match-up! If Piperi can match his outdoor throw inside the Armory, the World Youth Champion will join the All-Time List at No. 10.
If the duo can battle past Geist's PR, they'll look to move past Brent Noon at No. 2 All-Time (74-11). The National High School Record is 77-2.75, set by Ryan Crouser in 2011.
Boys Championship Shot Put Entries
New Balance Nationals Indoor 2016 meet page
Girls Shot Put
The latest hotshot strong-arm is Alyssa Wilson of Donovan Catholic, who just catapulted her PR from 54-5 (2015) to 54-11, which ranks No. 2 on the All-Time List.
This despite the fact that Wilson didn't even win her state meet! The National Junior Class Record holder took runner-up honors to Nickolette Dunbar at the New Jersey Meet of Champions; Dunbar threw 53-2 at that event to rank No. 8 All-Time.
How close can they get to the National High School Record? Raven Saunders holds the top three marks in prep history: 55-9.75, 55-11.75 and 56-7.5.
The Jersey girls will have to contend with two-time NBN defending champion Sophia Rivera, who has competed sparingly indoors but still ranks US #3 at 52-0.
Girls Championship Shot Put Entries
New Balance Nationals Indoor 2016 meet page
Boys Weight Throw
Bobby Colantonio is carrying on the boys Weight Throw legacy at Barrington High School left by Adam Kelly -- the three-time New Balance Nationals champion won two titles in the Weight Throw, one title in the Hammer Throw during his prep career before matriculating to Princeton.
Senior Colantonio, of course, handed Kelly a few defeats last spring. But the University of Alabama recruit has never won a New Balance Nationals title. This year, his best of 82-0.5 is nearly five feet ahead of the second-best weight thrower in the nation.
That mark ranks No. 7 All-Time; his former teammate Kelly's indoor best of 83-3.25 ranks No. 6 All-Time; the National High School Record is 93-3.25 set by Conor McCullough in 2009.