Hall wins team title
Middletown — The Hall boys outdoor track team kicked off the CIAC Class L outdoor meet with a win in the 4x800 relay in 7:52.96 and went on to win the team title with 96 points.
Trey Cormier contributed with a win in the 1600 in 4:17.77 and teammate Miller Anderson won the 800 in 1:56.59.
“We wanted to start out fast in this meet and that’s what we did,” Hall coach Scott Sampietro said. “I told the team going into this meet ‘let’s go out and win.’ So many people contributed for us start to finish today.
“Guys came through to get us points in the 4x100, the high jump and javelin. There are some good teams here and we knew every point we could score would count and be big for us. It’s a great feeling to get this title.”
It was the second straight team title for Hall
SOLID MEET FOR GREEN KNIGHTS
Warren Murphy won the 400 (49.85) and Jason Sawicki won the high jump (6 feet, 2 inches) to lead Notre Dame-West Haven.
Murphy stayed behind the leaders and surged ahead the last 100 meters to seal the win.
“I like to run behind the leaders and kick it in the last 100 meters,” Murphy said. “This was a tough, competitive race and I gutted it out that last 100 meters. But once I took the lead I had a sense that I was going to hold on and win.”
Sawicki had some motivation to get the high jump win. “I was second in the high jump at the Class L indoor meet and used that for motivation today,” Sawicki said. “It was just a matter of staying focused and doing my best. This is a good win and gives me some good momentum heading into the State Open.”
PAPA WINS BOTH HURDLES
Richard Papa of Amity had good day with a win in the 110 hurdles (14.55) and the 300 hurdles (39.87).
Papa dominated the 110 hurdles leading start to finish. “It’s always important to have a good start and take an early lead,” Papa said. “The key is the start and then just go out smoothly. Getting these wins is really good for me.”
COZEAN REBOUNDS WITH 3200 WIN
Robbie Cozean of Xavier came in second in the 1600 (4:17.77) and used that finish as motivation in the 3200.
“I was ready to go in the 3200 after taking second in the 1600,” Cozean said. “I stayed behind the leaders early on and then used my late kick to pull away and win. The late kick is my strength.
“The win helps the team and it gives you momentum for the State Open.”
GRINDELL SHATTERS HIS PR IN THE JAVELIN
Andrew Grindell of New Milford put all his effort into his last throw and surprised himself with a school record 188-5 to win the javelin.
“I’m in shock,” Grindell said. “I shattered my personal best by 18 feet to win the javelin. I’m trying to process this and take it all in, I’m tingling all over. It’s a great feeling.
“I was motivated to do this for my teammate James Day. He couldn’t do the javelin because of a sore elbow he suffered in our league meet. I did this for him and our team.”
OTHER TOP FINISHES
In other top finishes, Mathew Lecky of Xavier was third in the 1600 (4:21.70), Matthew Chalon of New Canaan was second in the 300 hurdles (40.21) and Nathan HolstGrubbe of Pomperaug won the discus (148-7).