DURHAM – Ever since he was a freshman, Rio Calle had been thinking about the state’s long jump record. Set in 1998, it was one of just a few that had stood since the previous century. On his final jump, in the final meet of his high school career, Calle broke it.

The John Stark Regional High School senior jumped 23 feet, 7.25 inches on his sixth and final attempt to set a new state long jump record at the NHIAA track and field Meet of Champions on Sunday at Oyster River High School. Calle bested the previous record, 23-5.25, which was set by Timberlane Regional High School’s Taylor Smith.

Calle’s record was one of several highlights from the area’s track and field athletes who competed, but his was the only record-breaking performance.

Calle won the Division II title in the long jump a week prior by leaping 22-0.75 on his first attempt, but sustained a minor injury and passed on his remaining attempts. He did some light practicing during the week in between D-II and MOC, but didn’t try jumping again until the MOC.

“I was really just happy to be healthy today,” Calle said. “I really put it together in the end. It’s the first (field) event I did in sixth grade when I switched away from running. It’s the easiest to translate from sprinting. I feel like that’s why it’s my strong suit.”

Since then, Calle has been a field event machine for the Generals. He competed in four field events at the D-II championship, finishing second in the javelin, sixth in the triple jump and seventh in the high jump. He finished as the D-II runner-up in the long jump last season and previously won the title in 2023, while also winning multiple indoor championships. 

“Rio has been amongst the top long jumpers in the state for the last three years, so to see him break the New Hampshire state record on his final jump was special,” John Stark coach Mark Roskamp said. “His dedication and work ethic are what set him apart, and have led him to becoming the best long jumper in state history.”

The top six finishers in each event at MOC qualify for New Englands, which will be held on Saturday at Willow Brook Park in New Britain, Conn. Calle also qualified in the triple jump by finishing sixth on Sunday. Saturday is also John Stark’s graduation, so Calle will not be competing, but it sets up a poetic storybook ending to end Calle’s career in a Generals uniform.

“I was really happy to set the record, it’s been my goal since freshman year. It’s all I’ve really thought about in the last year,” Calle said. “To break it on my final jump of my high school career is very special.”

The Capital Area was well-represented in other jumping events as well. Concord senior Colby Nyhan won the state title in the pole vault, clearing 15 feet. He attempted 15-9, which would have broken the current record of 15-8, but fell just short.

Merrimack Valley senior Nic Oglesby won the high jump, clearing 6-4, with MV teammate Owen Turner tying for third. Oglesby also finished fifth in both the long jump and triple jump.

Coe-Brown’s Cameron Lee (third 300 hurdles) and Luc Kerouac (fourth 800), MV’s Davian Loiselle (third javelin), Kearsarge’s Daniel Dalbec (fourth 1,600), Bow’s Gavin Buxton (sixth 100) and Belmont’s Brady Filteau (sixth discus) also qualified for New Englands.

For the second weekend in a row, Concord’s Grace Saysaw and Ella Goulas both had perfect days on the girls’ side.

Saysaw, a junior, swept the sprints, winning the 100 meters in 12.04 seconds and the 200 in 24.93. Saysaw, who broke the 200 state record earlier in the season, won both events by comfortable margins and also anchored Concord’s 4x100-meter relay (48.42) to a state title.

Saysaw ran with junior Chelsea Toenah, and seniors Goulas and Ballay Conteh on the 4x100, and also ran the final leg of the champion 4x400 (4:02.26) with seniors Madeline Muller, Nabah Yahya and Muller.

Goulas won the long jump (17-7) and the triple jump (37-9.25) to complete her perfect day.

Consuelo Borico (second shot put), Yahya (second triple jump), Muller (tied third pole vault) and Concord’s fourth-place 4x800 of Quinn Doherty, Gianna Gualtieri, Mahalie Burdette and Yahya also qualified for New Englands.

Hopkinton sophomore Maddy Lane won the 3,200 (10:41.2) leading almost the entire race and holding off a late charge by Exeter’s Alexis Paterna. Shaylee Murdough (second 800), Aisling Madden (fourth 400), Zoe Bishop (sixth discus) and the fifth-place 4x800 of Sofia Upton, Maisie Emerson, Reese Bove and Murdough were Hopkinton’s other New England qualifiers.

Bow’s Julia Hou (second pole vault), Mackenzie Szczepanik (tied third pole vault), Camden Wilson (third high jump) and Hannah Pawlowski (sixth 800); and Coe-Brown’s Bristol Shirland (third 100 hurdles), Lilah Fitzpatrick (fourth 200) and Isabelle Grenier (fifth discus) also advanced.

Belmont’s Ava Lacasse (third 100, third 200) and Adeline Takantjas (third 300 hurdles, sixth 100 hurdles, sixth triple jump), Kearsarge’s Juliet Faria (fifth 200) and Ainsley Frenkiewich (fifth long jump) and MV’s fourth-place 4x400 (Jada Lucas, Sydney Spack, Madison Geddes and Lily Moser) were the other area finishers in the top six.