It has been a remarkable season for Titan junior Vanessa Jones. Her personal best throw of 59-2’ came at the State Meet in February, breaking her own school record. Toll Gate has produced its fair share of Division 1 weight throwers, but Jones has cemented herself as one of the greatest thrower in school history. She has also proved herself to be one of the best in the country, and is already fielding Division 1 college offers from programs throughout the nation.
Following a breakout sophomore season placing 4th in the weight throw at the 2024 RI Indoor Championships, Jones improved by over 10 feet to win the State Title in 2025 at the PCTA in Providence. She couldn’t be beaten. Prior to states, Jones placed first in the weight throw at the Yale Track Classic, the East Coast Invitational, the Division Championships, the RITCA Invitational, and the Class Championships before peaking at the State Meet. Vanessa didn’t stop there. She continued her winning streak on the national stage, winning the Rising Stars Classic in Boston on March 8. A week later, she was crowned National Champion at the Nike Indoor Nationals in New York, with her throw of 58-1.75’ besting the talented field at the Armory. The junior finished her remarkable season placing 3rd at the New Balance Nationals meet, which included throwers from Canada. Jones will be featured on WPRI’s “Hometown Hero” segment on Monday, April 7.
In other Track news, the boys 4x800m relay team earned All-State honors with a third place finish at the state meet in February. The team of Ryan Brady, Ryan Enos, John Maynard, and Joshua Maynard ran a best of 8:21.79 to edge out Bishop Hendricken for bronze. Kevin Barker also scored for the boys, finishing eighth in the high jump with a leap of 6’0.”
With the outdoor season underway, the Toll Gate team is looking to build on their individual and team successes. Jones is looking to make some noise in the hammer throw and discus this spring, the 4×800 team has their eyes set on a new school record, and Barker is looking to continue his streak of medaling in the high jump at States. The Boys team is coming off a regular season division co-championship and a runner-up showing at the Division meet, and is hoping to continue their newfound team success in the outdoor season.
