BURRILLVILLE – A Bronco athlete who won the state title with her javelin throw last June has broken the previous school record in the sport, an achievement recognized by school officials with a citation this week.
Mackenzie Cleary was honored by members of the Burrillville School Committee during their meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 17.
Cleary was a junior on the Burrillville High School girls’ outdoor track and field team when she won the state championship girls title for javelin with a personal best throw of 120 feet, eight inches. The throw, at the Rhode Island Interscholastic League Championship at Conley Stadium in Providence, beat Cleary’s own best by almost 9 1/2 feet, and was some 4 1/2 feet beyond the contest’s runner-up.
“I personally saw her throw it and it was unbelievable,” said School Committee member Jill Calapai on Tuesday.
Cleary also attended the New England Championship at the University of New Hampshire and placed 5th. She then went onto the National Championship at the University of Pennsylvania.
The school’s previous girls record for javelin of 117 feet was set by Samantha Prario in 2019.
Cleary, who is a senior this year, was chosen for the the All-State Track & Field Team in July.
“This is our first ever all state athlete in track,” said Supt. Michael Sollitto.
NRI NOW later learned that Sollitto was close to accurate, but not quite. In 2018, then sophomore Karlee Cournoyer won the state meet for the triple jump.
Cleary was also a Division III state champion with the Bronco girls volleyball team last year. She was named Player of the Week in the sport by the Providence Journal following one game last November.
Just this week, Cleary led the volleyball team in a victory of Exeter-West Greenwich with 7 kills, 6 digs and 3 blocks.
“She’s pretty good in volleyball too,” said Sollitto.
“The Burrillville School Department salutes you on this accomplishment,” the citation read. “Go Broncos!”
Editor’s note: The information regarding Karlee Cournoyer was added above.
