Felty Breaks New England Indoor Shot Record By 4 Feet

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

BOSTON -- Tucked away in the corner of the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center, a small, but boisterous and passionate crowd gathered around the shot put area Saturday afternoon to watch some of the biggest and best athletes in the country.

Among them, Aiden Felty, a senior from Innovative Academy MA, became the center of attention.

Just a year ago, he didn't even manage to qualify for the New England High School Indoor Track and Field Championships. Now, he’s literally thrown his way to the top and is one of the nation’s best throwers. His shot put of 66 feet, 10.25 inches shattered the New England meet record (62-02.75) from 2001. 

“I stopped getting nervous,” Felty said. “I was really just trying to have fun and get after these throws. It’s senior year. This is it. I really wanted to end it on a big note.” 

On paper, it’s been a major transformation for Felty, who threw 66-4.25 at last week's All-State meet. Last outdoor season, he finished ninth at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals with a throw of 61-1.25. He credits a summer of traveling to Maine to work with a coach and focusing on himself. 

“I took a lot of time on my own to work on my technique and get stronger,” he said. 

INTERVIEWS | RESULTS

Felty, who is committed to Duke University, said it still hasn’t sunk in that he’s one of the best throwers in the country. His best throw this season was 67 feet, which is US#1 and the all-time best mark in Massachusetts. Saturday, he was challenged by Jason Montano of Thorton, ME, who also threw further than the meet record with a heave of 63-2.50 for runner-up honors. 

“Obviously I wanted to PR. I was so close,” Felty said. “It was the most fun I’ve had all year. I hit all the benchmarks I wanted to hit previously, so to win New Englands is just crazy.” 

Heading into New Balance Nationals Indoor next weekend at The Armory, he’s got a legitimate shot to win his first national title. 

“I want to win, and I think that’s reasonable,” he said.  “I’m excited and I’m prepared, and mentally I’m in a better head space than I ever have been.” 

On the track, Newton South, MA junior Lucy Jenks clocked 4:49.57, a meet record in the girls mile. 

"I’m happy with how it went,” Jenks said. “That was the goal to get a faster seed time for nationals.” 

La Salle, RI senior Joseph dosReis took the win in the boys mile, running 4:14.27. 

Transgender athlete Terry Miller of Bloomfield CT was a double winner, claiming the girls 55-meter dash (6.94) and 300 (39.27), and she also ran on the winning 4x400 relay (3:56.88). 

“It was a lot of hard workouts, but it paid off today,” Miller said of her preparations for the New England meet. 

Fairfield Ludlowe CT sophomore Tess Stapleton also had a banner day as she won the girls 55-meter hurdles (8.19) and claimed the long jump (19-1.50). 

“It was to do my best, but try not to get out of control,” Stapleton said of her hurdle plan. “I’m excited to see what I can do (at nationals)."

In the boys 4x800, Suffield CT’s relay team of Cam Miller, Jared Sharp, Kyle Englander and Nick Sinofsky set a meet record of 7:49.96.

In the high jump, Nyagoa Bayak of Westbrook ME cleared 5-9 to win the girls title, while Staples CT’s Chet Ellis won with a jump of 6-9. 

“A big thing for me is staying healthy for next week. Nationals is a big one,” Ellis said. “But every win is amazing, and every win counts and this a good day for me.”