What’s better than making the podium as an All-American at New Balance Indoor Nationals?
How about doing it twice in two different events.
Peabody High senior Alex Jackson cemented his place among the top throwers in the United States by placing in the top six and earning All-America honors in both the shot put and weight throw in the championship class at The Track in Boston this weekend.
Perhaps most impressively, Jackson’s top throw in the shot put came on his second-to-last attempt and vaulted him by several competitors to take third place overall at 65 feet 3 1/2 inches.
“It was mental toughness and competitive strength that carried Alex this weekend,” said Peabody throws coach Jay Smith. “Our focus throughout the season — and in particular in the championship season — was his mental, emotional and psychological game. That paid off in both events.”
Saturday’s weight throw played out similarly as Jackson fouled on four of his attempts (not unusual at the sport’s highest level) but uncorked a throw of 73 feet 5 inches to earn sixth place and climb the podium as an All-American once more.
The University of Virginia-bound Jackson, an 11-time Massachusetts state champion, was one of two throwers to claim All-American in both the shot put and weight throw, with Ohio State committed Brandt Morlock being the other.
“It’s a testimony to all the work Alex put in to get to this point,” Smith said. “He’s big, strong and he’s taken giant steps forward in his growth.”
Senior Nate Assa of Marblehead also earned an All-America honor over the course of the four-day New Balance event when he placed sixth in the 5000 meter run with a time of 14:32.40 on Thursday.
For Danvers, the distance medley relay of JJ Rooney, Michael Rinella, Charlie Garlin and Will Conklin placed in the top 50 in the nation at 10:41.52.
Also for Peabody, Declan Smith broke the school record in the 800 with a time of 1:57.71. That was in addition to running a leg of the sprint medley along with Evan Bedard, Henry Sawyer and Brian Stevens (3:39.25).
“Declan also ran the second-fastest mile time in school indoor history this season,” Peabody head coach Fernando Braz noted. “He’s arguably the most versatile indoor distance runner we’ve ever had.”
Bedard placed 16th in the long jump (22-3 3/4). The Tanners second SMR relay of Tyler Rappold, Omar Mishal, Michael Murphy and Mohammed Lhassouani ran well as did the girls 4×800 relay of Ella Braz, Lauren Foley, Jane Haight and Avery Marcus (10:08). Braz also ran 5:35 in the girls freshman mile.