Record had remained unbroken for 42 years
R.I. Track & Field Foundation
Cumberland High distance runner Ben Drezek, competing at the annual Loucks Games in New York on May 14, broke the R.I. state record in the 3000-meter steeplechase. Drezek, a junior, clocked 9 minutes 38.99 seconds, good for third place in a 26-man field. The previous mark was 9:46.0 (h), established by Andrew Fisher, of East Providence High, at the Loucks meet of 1974.