
Avon’s Geoff Kirk, shown competing at the State Open, finished second in New England in the discus Saturday in New Britain. (Contributed photo)
NEW BRITAIN, June 11 –Geoff Kirk continues to turn in historic performances for the Avon High track and field program.
Kirk’s second place finish in the discus Saturday at Veteran’s Memorial Stadium was the best finish by an Avon athlete at the 71st annual New England championships. Kirk’s throw of 164 feet, 10 inches was second behind Jake Hoffman, a junior from Orono, Maine, who won the event with a Maine state record throw of 174-10.
Canton’s William Briggs finished ninth in the discus while Kirk took tenth in the shot. Avon’s Kaleigh Sherman was 15th in the javelin while Carly Carpino was 21st in the long jump.
Kirk pushed Hoffman throughout the competition. Hoffman had a slight five foot lead over Kirk after the qualifying round. Kirk threw the discus 164-10 on his third and final throw of qualifying. Hoffman’s best throw in qualifying was 165-03.
In the finals – another three throws for the top nine qualifiers, Hoffman pulled away. On his final two attempts, he had throws of 171-06 feet and then 174-10.
“It was great,” Kirk said. “There was some real good competition there. I’m glad I had the opportunity to compete amongst the best.”
Both athletes earned All-New England honors, which is awarded to the top six finishers in each event.
It’s the best finish ever for an Avon track and field athlete at the New England championships. The previous best was a third place finish by Jeff Cavanaugh in the 1,600 meters in 1994. Kirk is the first Avon athlete with a pair of top 10 finishes in the New England championships. Kirk was tenth in the shot with a throw of 49 feet, 11 inches.
Briggs finished ninth in the discus with a throw of 142 feet, 5 inches.
Sherman, in her first year competing in the javelin, just missed on reaching the finals. She finished 15th thanks to her initial throw of 115 feet, 5 inches. Carpino leaped 16 feet, ¾ inches to take 21st in the long jump.
Gerry deSimas, Jr., is the editor and founder of The Collinsville Press. He is an award-winning writer and has been covering sports in Connecticut and New England for more than 30 years.


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