GIRLS OUTDOOR TRACK CIAC PLAYERS TO WATCH
Editor’s note: Stats from the last official track postseason (2019-2020 indoor track season) were used along with stats from most recent indoor dual meet results (in March) where applicable plus recent national Meet of Champions held in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Aliya Cameron, Sacred Heart Academy, Sr.: During SCC dual meet indoor season in March, she won the high jump (4-8), long jump (16-1), and won two 55 hurdle events in 9.03 and 9.00. At the recent Meet of Champions in South Carolina, was third in the Emerging Elite Division triple jump (37-3.75) and fifth in the Emerging Elite Division high jump (4-11).
Chelsi Chevannes, Darien, Sr.: Her strength is in the field events. During the 2019-2020 indoor season, at Class L she won the long jump (16-11) and was third in the high jump (5-0). She has a personal best of 5-2 in the high jump.
Nia Christie, St. Joseph, Sr.: At the recent Meet of Champions in South Carolina, she won the Emerging Elite high jump (5-5). During the 2019-2020 indoor State Open she was third in the high jump (5-2) and fifth in the 55 hurdles (8.85).
Shelby Dejana, Wilton, Sr.: At the 2019-2020 New England meet placed eighth in the 55 dash (7.42) and sixth in 55 hurdles (8.53), at State Open placed third in 55 hurdles (8.58) and sixth in 55 dash (7.40), at Class L won 55 dash (7.38) and won 55 hurdles (8.61), at FCIAC meet won 55 dash (7.35) and placed second in 55 hurdles (8.62). At the recent Meet of Champions in South Carolina she was third in the Emerging Elite Division 100 hurdles (14.81). Competed in the heptathlon at the Junior Olympics Nationals and will compete for Lehigh.
Amanda Graham, McMahon, Sr.: She excelled in the cross country season last fall and was named All-State and All-FCIAC. Based on that success, her improved times and her work ethic, coach Rudy Matute considers her one of his most improved athletes who should excel in distance events. She has a personal best of 11:29 in the 3200 and in the 2019-2020 indoor season was fourth in the event at the FCIAC meet and fifth at Class LL.
Mari Noble, Greenwich, Sr.: One of the top distance runners in the state, in the 2019-2020 indoor season at the State Open she was second in the 3200 (10:57.26) and won the 3200 at Class LL (11:04.76). Recently at the Meet of Champions in South Carolina, she was 10th in the Championship Division mile (5:06.24) and ran a leg of Greenwich’s winning Championship Division 4x800 relay (9:17.42).
Kate Rector, Ridgefield, Jr.: She was one of the top FCIAC cross country runners in the fall and in a November regular season meet posted 18:36 over the 5-kilometer course. She is expected to excel in the 1600 and 3200.
Julia Rosenberg, Weston, Sr.: During the 20192020 indoor season, at the New England meet she placed third in the 1000 (2:56.10), at State Open won the 1000 (2:59.69), at Class M won 1000 (2:58.99) and ran a leg of winning 4×200 relay (1:49.48) and a leg of the winning 4×400 relay (4:06.45). At the SWC meet she won the 1000 (3:00.22). She has committed to run track at Vanderbilt.
Mariella Schweitzer, Barlow, Jr.: She was fourth at the 2019-2020 indoor track State Open in the 55 hurdles. Her personal bests — 300 (40.67, placing sixth at New England), long jump (17-10.5) and 55 hurdles (8.55). At the State Open she placed third in the long jump and 300. At the Meet of Champions in South Carolina, she was fourth in the Emerging Elite 100 hurdles (14.94) and ninth in the Emerging Elite long jump (16-6.5).
Kate Wiser, Pomperaug, Sr.: Wiser won her fourth consecutive SWC cross country title in November, breaking her own course record in the process with a time of 17:16.78. That success should continue in outdoor track. She was selected GameTimeCT All-State Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year. She is committed to run at Notre Dame.