Naples’ Fredrick Boateng appears to be clearing 6 feet, 4 inches in the high jump, but ended up knocking down the bar on this attempt. Still, he cleared 6-2 to put up the top mark in DODEA-Europe this season. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)

PORDENONE, Italy – The cliché doesn’t exactly fit.

After all, even though DODEA-Europe athletes south of the Alps might consider their counterparts in Germany essentially to be swimming in a bigger pond, Ramstein’s enrollment of 901 students pales in comparison to large high schools in most states.

But the collective pond is definitely smaller for both big and small fish in Italy, Spain and Bahrain.

Vicenza track coach Anna Sansone said she loves the feel of meets in Italy during the regular season, getting to know virtually all the athletes by name and many of their personal stories.

“I really like that about it,” she said during Saturday’s meet hosted by Aviano in the largest city nearest the air base.

But while most seasons, teams in Italy get one trip during the season to see what the competition up north has to offer, Vicenza got two this year during a season that ends with a May championship in Kaiserslautern, Germany.

“We’re extremely grateful for that,” Sansone said. “It’s good for our kids to compete against the ones they’re going to be seeing in Euros.”

The South region certainly has big fish – just not many of them. And to stretch the cliché even further, they all seem to be swimming in their own personal ponds.

“At these schools, it’s hard to find a cluster of kids in the same event who can push each other,” Sansone said.

Cougar Mitchell Horrigan is more than familiar with that. He dominated during the cross country season in Italy before finishing fourth at the European championships. Saturday, Horrigan wasn’t tested in the 1,600-meter run (4 minutes 34.3 seconds – 17 seconds ahead of his nearest rival) and the 3,200 (10:12.85 – almost 37 seconds ahead of the field).

Aviano’s Addison Krajicek clears a hurdle in the girls 100-meter hurdle event Saturday, April 26, 2025, in Pordenone, Italy. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)

Vicenza’s Davon Gann captured both the boys 110- and 300-hurdles on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at a track meet in Pordenone, Italy. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)

Rota’s Jonathan King won the boys 100 meters Saturday, April 26, 2025, and entered the day with the best marks in DODEA-Europe in the 200, discus and long jump. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)

Vicenza’s Mitchell Horrigan grimaces while rounding the final curve of the 1,600 meters Saturday, April 26, 2025, at a DODEA-Europe track meet in Pordenone, Italy. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)

Aviano’s Christian Perkins maintained his form throughout the race while winning the boys 400 meters Saturday, April 26, 2025, at a DODEA-Europe meet in Pordenone, Italy. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)

Sigonella’s Makari Spencer was second in the long jump Saturday, April 26, 2025, in a DODEA-Europe meet in Pordenone, Italy. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)

Naples’ Fredrick Boateng cleared 6 feet, 2 inches in the high jump Saturday – 7 inches ahead of the field.

He knows a bit about varying levels of competition, moving from Kadena in Okinawa, Japan, to Florida and then to Italy earlier this year.

While it might be nice for others to be pushing Boateng to new heights, the not quite 5-foot-11 senior said he really needs to focus on his own routine. His effort Saturday is the best mark in Europe this year – and he almost cleared 6-4 in three attempts. He’s done that in practice.

“It’s all about my form,” he said. “I’ve been injured most of the season and I’m just starting to feel like myself. I switched from jumping from my left foot to my right recently and I’ve gained a few inches. So, my goal is to actually clear 6-6.”

Sigonella’s Rickalia Goss didn’t compete Saturday, choosing to be cautious after tweaking her leg earlier in the week. She has the top marks in Europe in all four of her events – 100, 200, 400 and long jump.

Other athletes did compete, though and a handful stood out. American Overseas School of Rome’s Natalia DiMatteo – part of a three-member team due to the school being on spring break – won all three of her events (high jump, triple jump, 800). Aviano’s Addison Krajicek and Vicenza’s Davon Gann won both hurdles races for the girls and boys, respectively. The Saints’ Christian Perkins joined Horrigan as a double individual winner, taking both the 200 and 400.

Boateng captured the long jump, finished second in the 100 and anchored Naples’ winning 4x100 relay team. The high jump pit seemed to be open most of the day as he took time out to compete in the other three events.

Rota coach Desiree Romero said having more top-level athletes to push her best performers would be nice. But it’s not something she thinks about much.

“We try to beat ourselves every week,” she said.

“Obviously, the ultimate goal is to qualify for Euros and do well there,” she said. “But really we just want to get better ourselves every single week.”