CHECKING IN WITH ... CHRIS ABBEY
(Editor's note: The Day will be publishing a profile of a spring athlete for each day the high school athletic season is suspended.) School: East Lyme High School Class: Senior Sport: Boys' track & field Events: Middle distance, distance College choice: Central Connecticut State University (plans to continue in cross country and track) Chosen major: Undecided Favorite sport besides track: Baseball Athlete you grew up admiring: My brother Matt (former Class L all-state pick for East Lyme baseball team, currently on the Eastern Connecticut State baseball roster)
Checking in with Chris: "Viking for life."
What you need to know about Chris: Abbey was the 2018 Eastern Connecticut Conference cross country champion, yet former East Lyme teammate Sam Whittaker told Abbey once that he was better at track and field. "I didn't believe him until this year after the first developmental meet (in indoor track) when I almost beat my PRs from last indoor season," Abbey said. "I learned how to run races this season instead of just trying to out-kick everyone on the last lap." Abbey won the 1,000 meters (2:46.77) and the 3,200 (10:31.98) at the ECC indoor meet and was second in the 1,600 by .07. He was sixth in the Class M state championship in the 1,000 and ran a leg on the Vikings' 4x800-meter relay at the State Open. He lists the best moment of his track career as going to New Englands in the 4x800 as a sophomore "because it was a good experience racing top teams in New England in only my second season of track." He was most looking forward to running the mile this spring, having overcome a concussion and an upper respiratory infection during the indoor season that left him with little racing time. He also injured his back. "Seeing the times I ran with all those problems and after a couple good weeks training, I was feeling really good about this outdoor season," he said. Abbey, who formerly played baseball and soccer, gave up those sports because he felt he had a better chance of running at the collegiate level. He runs 20 miles per week to keep in shape before starting summer training prior to college. "There's a couple trails I like to run through behind some neighborhoods," he said. Abbey was a member of East Lyme's cross country team which won three straight Class MM state championships. His favorite restaurant in town is Castello of Niantic and he orders the pizza.