Best in the nation: Our 2023 Boys Track Athlete of the Year, Super Team and All-Stars

Before we honor the standout cross country runners from 2023, we would like to recognize the SouthCoast's top track and field athletes from last year.

One male athlete — Bishop Stang's Jacob Cookinham — was the best in the nation in his event.

Let's take a long overdue look at The Standard-Times' top boys track and field athletes for the 2023 spring season.

ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Jacob Cookinham, Bishop Stang

Jacob Cookinham capped off his remarkable high school career by adding more to his legacy of the best shot put thrower to come out of the SouthCoast.

“Bottom line, (he’s) the best thrower in the history of Bishop Stang and possibly the entire area,” said Bishop Stang head coach Steve McGonigle. “I don’t know if we’ll ever see another thrower like him again. He’s a once in a lifetime. He’s very special.”

WHY HE WAS SELECTED

Cookinham was hands down the most dominant track and field athlete from the SouthCoast during 2023. During his final season, he proved to be the best in the shot put in Massachusetts, New Englands and the nation.

KEY STATS

Cookinham won the Catholic Central League championship in both the shot put (63-10) and discus (174-9). He went on to win the shot put at the Div. 5 meet (64-5), Meet of Champions (65-8), New Englands (66-0.25) and Nationals (66-11). … Cookinham also took first at Glen Loucks in White Plains, NY with a throw of 63-9.

MVP MOMENT

Cookinham threw over 60 feet at all the big meets, but his most memorable performance was winning the National Championship in Greensboro, NC by throwing 66-11.

“He’s a tireless worker,” McGonigle. “Self taught, self disciplined and a hard worker. He’s a great student of the game.”

WHAT’S NEXT

After graduating from Bishop Stang, Cookinham headed to the University of Kansas to take his game to the next level while studying sports management.

“When I stepped on campus, it felt like home,” said Cookinham after announcing his decision. “I said, ‘This is the school for me.’”

NOTES

Cookinham is from Tiverton. … He taught himself how to throw the shot put during the pandemic by watching videos.

SUPER TEAM

Sam Balsis, Old Rochester

As Old Rochester’s team MVP, Balsis made major contributions throughout the season in the 400 hurdles, 110 hurdles and high jump. He won the high jump and took second in the 400 hurdles at the SCC Championship. At the divisional championship, Balsis won the 400 hurdles, took second in the high jump and came in third in the 110 hurdles. His season-bests were 15.28 in the 110 hurdles, 57.38 in the 400 hurdles and 6-2 in the high jump. “Hard work year round and some amazing determination made Sam one of the best hurdlers/high jumpers in the state,” said Old Rochester coach Bill Tilden. “Always willing to compete in any event needed to help win a meet.”

Murray Copps, Old Rochester

Copps was one of the area’s top distance runners in the spring. He won the 2-mile and took second in the 800 at the South Coast Conference championship. The SCC All-Star went on to place sixth in the 800 at divisionals. He also won the mile at the GNBVT Sunset Invitational. His season-bests were 1:59.26 in the 800, 4:33.98 in the mile and 10:28.13 in the 2-mile. “Murray could and would cover all the distance events,” said Old Rochester coach Bill Tilden. “He loved running the double to help the team. And you always knew he would leave it on the track for every single race.”

Andrew Fortin, Bishop Stang

Fortin shined in both the 400 meters and 400 hurdles and finished the season as Bishop Stang’s leading scorer by also contributing in the long jump (17-9), high jump (5-6) and triple jump (37-2). The team MVP and Catholic Central League All-Star won the 400 hurdles (58.8) and finished fourth in the 400 meters (52.7) at the CCL Meet. He placed 11th at the state decathlon with 4,725 points. “A consummate track athlete who excels in all phases of the sport including hurdling, jumping, middle distance and sprints,” said Bishop Stang coach Steve McGonigle. “I have never coached an athlete who has such great versatility and the ability to win any and all events at a track meet.”

Aydan Fournier, Apponequet

The South Coast Conference All-Star excelled in the 400, 800, mile and 2-mile for the Lakers. He finished in the top three in the mile at the SCC meet. His season-bests were 53.5 in the 400, 2:06 in the 800, 4:33 in the mile and 10:40 in the 2-mile. “He was very versatile,” said Apponequet coach Zane Fyfe. “He could go anywhere from the 400 to the 2-mile. He was a great leader with the distance group. He was part of a core group over the last four years that came up together and trained together.”

Toby Lawrence, Fairhaven

Lawrence enjoyed a record-breaking season for Fairhaven. He set the school record in the 100 meters with 10.9 seconds and also established a new Fairhaven mark in the 200 meters with 22.1 seconds. He took first in the South Coast Conference in both events and was an SCC All-Star. He also placed fifth in Div. 5 in the 200. “Toby progressed greatly during his second year of track,” said Fairhaven coach Donnie Joseph. “Even during the year he pushed himself and was hitting his peak at the end of the year.”

Braden Medeiros, Dartmouth

Medeiros capped off his four-year career with a strong spring season. He not only finished second in both the shot put and discus at the Southeast Conference championship, he qualified for states in both events, placing sixth in the shot put and seventh in the discus. His season-bests were 45-7 in the shot put and 123-9 in the discus. “He started as a freshman sprinter and we converted him to throwing,” said Dartmouth coach Peter Breault. “Ever since then, he’s found his home in throwing. He's been committed to his craft for all four years.”

Diego Mello, Wareham

Mello had an impressive year competing in the 400 hurdles, 110 hurdles, long jump, and triple jump. The South Coast Conference All-Star took third in the 400 and second in the long jump at the conference championship. He went on to capture first place in the 400 hurdles at the Div. 6 championship and came in seventh in the event at the Meet of Champions with a school-record. He took 11th in the 300 hurdles at New Englands with another school record. His season-bests were 56.69 in the 400 hurdles, 40.70 in the 300 hurdles, 16.06 in the 110 hurdles, 5-8 in the high jump, 20-9.5 in the long jump and 3:33.71 in the 4x400 relay. “A very versatile athlete that does not like to lose,” said Wareham head coach Chris Gardner.

Aiden Robert, Wareham

Robert excelled in the 110 hurdles, 100, 200, 400 and long jump as well as the relays, earning South Coast Conference All-Star honors. He won the 110 hurdles at the SCC championship before placing first in the event at the Div. 6 championship with a school record. At the Meet of Champions, he came in eighth in the 110 hurdles. His season-bests were 11.2 in the 100, 24.0 in the 200, 52.93 in the 400, 14.61 in the 110 hurdles, 18-9.125 in the long jump and 44.42 in the 4x100 relay. “One of the most gifted athletes I have ever coached, he has some big goals for next year and I do not see any reason why he will not achieve them,” said Wareham head coach Chris Gardner.

Jahzed Valls, New Bedford

Valls saved his best for his last season of track at New Bedford High. The Southeast Conference All-Star took second in the 200 at the SEC meet and qualified for the Meet of Champions in the long jump, 200 meters and was part of the 4x100 relay team that competed at Nationals. “Jahzed has a rare, natural ability,” said New Bedford coach Paul Jaskinski. “He’s got a different ability. It comes naturally to him.”

Daniel Ward, GNB Voc-Tech

No one could touch Ward in the 400 hurdles and 400 meters in the spring. The South Coast Conference All-Star was named SCC MVP for winning both events at the conference championship meet. He went on to win the 400 hurdles (56.89) and 400 meters (49.53) at the Div. 3 state championship. At the Meet of Champions, he placed 25th in the 400 and 26th in the 400 hurdles.

ALL-STAR TEAM

Kevin Ayala, New Bedford

The captain qualified for the Div. 1 meet in the 100 dash and also ran on the 4x100 relay team that recorded the sixth fastest time in school history and competed at Nationals. Ayala was a Southeast Conference All-Star. “Kevin is someone who is going to outwork you,” said New Bedford coach Paul Jasinski. “He’s willing to put in the work every day to get better at his form to be the best version of himself.”

Nate Branco, Fairhaven

Branco had a strong spring in both the 110 and 400 hurdles. He took fourth in the 400 hurdles and fifth in the 110 hurdles at the South Coast Conference championship. At the Div. 5 meet, he came in fourth in the 110 hurdles and sixth in the 400 hurdles. His season-bests were 15.4 in the 110 hurdles and 59.64 in the 400 hurdles. “Nate did not stop working to improve at the hurdles,” said Fairhaven coach Donnie Joseph. “He clearly loved the event and strived to be great.”

Nolan Bushnell, Old Rochester

Bushnell won the 800 meters at the South Coast Conference championship meet and took second place in the event at the MSTCA Freshman/Sophomore Meet. The SCC All-Star went on to place ninth in the 800 at the divisional championship. His season best was 2:00.48. “This young man has made some huge strides as a sophomore and will be a key piece to the Old Rochester team for years to come,” said Old Rochester coach Bill Tilden.

Elijah Carrion, Wareham

Carrion made his track debut a memorable one in his final season at Wareham High as he took sixth in the triple jump and third in the high jump at the South Coast Conference meet. At the Div. 6 championship, he placed seventh in the triple jump and eighth in the high jump and helped the 4x100 relay team set the school record with a third-place finish. His season-bests were 11.2 in the 100, 24.4 in the 200, 54.5 in the 400, 6-0 in the high jump, 40-8.5 in the triple jump, 44.42 in the 4x100 and 3:33.71 in the 4x400.

Tyler Medeiros, Dartmouth

Medeiros was named a Southeast Conference All-Star as a standout runner in the 800. His best time was 2:01.1. He also was able to record a distance of 40-09.50 in the triple jump. He took seventh at divisionals in the 800. “Tyler took the next step this year,” said Dartmouth coach Peter Breault. “He has not allowed that ceiling to stop. He continues to push himself. He makes everybody around him better.”

Elaijah Monteiro, Dartmouth

Monteiro came in first in the Southeast Conference in the mile. The SEC All-Star qualified for divisionals in the 400, 800 and mile. His season-bests were 4:42.4 in the mile, 2:02.8 in the 800 and 53.1 in the 400. “His ability to step up to the plate and take on any task,” said Dartmouth coach Peter Breault. “He was often doubling the 800 and mile and that’s crazy to ask for.”

Gabriel Silva, Wareham

Silva shined in the 100, 200, 400, long jump and relays. The South Coast Conference All-Star took third in the 400 at the conference meet and qualified for the Div. 6 meet in the 100, 200, 400 and as part of the 4x100 relay team that set a school record. He qualified for the Meet of Champions in the 100. His season-bests were 10.8 in the 100, 22.8 in the 200, 51.7 in the 400, 17-11 in the long jump, 44.42 in the 4x100 and 3:33.71 in the 4x400.

Michael Veegh, Bishop Stang

Veegh lost just one all season in dual meets in the 400 meters. He went on to place second at the Catholic Central League championship with a time of 52.25. He also won the Catholic Central League Freshman/Sophomore 400 in 53.2. “Has a great future as a 400 runner for the Spartans in the years to come,” said Bishop Stang coach Steve McGonigle.

Owen Vieira, GNB Voc-Tech

The versatile Vieira was named a South Coast Conference All-Star. He placed third in the Div. 3 state pentathlon with 2,788 points and also made the finals of the 110 hurdles, coming in third (15.01).

Tyler Young, Old Rochester

Young captured first place in the mile at the South Coast Conference championship meet. The SCC All-Star also placed second in the event at the GNBVT Sunset Invitational. His season-bests were 2:02.05 in the 800 and 4:33.10 in the mile.

HONORABLE MENTION

Elijah Barlow, Apponequet; Andrew Florestal, Apponequet; Taber Lawler, Apponequet; Dane Magpayo, Apponequet; Josh Snyder, Apponquet; Lowell Copps, Bishop Stang; Jason Wang, Bishop Stang; Maddux Carreiro, Dartmouth; Caiden Demanche, Dartmouth; Will Fairfax, Dartmouth; Aiden Mello, Dartmouth; Tyler Chang, Fairhaven; Justin Andrade, GNB Voc-Tech; Jarred Quan, GNB Voc-Tech; Jose Diaz, New Bedford; Edmilson Semedo, New Bedford; Hunter Bishop, Old Rochester; Torsten Brickley, Old Rochester; John Bowman, Old Rochester; Theo Cecil, Old Rochester; Braeden Christopher, Old Rochester; Calder Eaton, Old Rochester; Philip le Gassick, Old Rochester; Remy Wilson, Old Rochester; Arman Araujo, Wareham; Jared DeMello, Wareham; Ajay Lopes, Wareham.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: 2023 Boys Track Athlete of the Year, Super Team and All-Stars