The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Coginchaug, Old Saybrook take home Shoreline titles
Written on the legs of many of the members of the Coginchaug girls’ indoor track and field team were words of encouragement and inspiration.
Coach Kate Germond said it’s always been tradition.
“We were the team that is always the most spirited and the cheerleaders,” Germond said.
After finishing as the runner-up at last season’s Shoreline Conference championships, the Blue Devils can finally label themselves more than the spirited team.
Coginchaug scored 124 points to beat Old Saybrook (97.3) for the Shoreline title on Saturday at the Floyd Little Athletic Center. Haddam-Killingworth was third (84).
“To be this competitive team to win Shorelines is just unbelievable,” Germond said.
Led by junior sisters Jessica and Sam Drop, who set meet records in the 1,000 and 3,200, the Blue Devils won seven events, including three of the four relays.
Germond, in her sixth year with the Blue Devils, said she can’t recall the last time Coginchaug won the conference crow n.
“They are determined,” Germond said. “They’ve been waiting for this victory lap. It’s amazing.”
Coginchaug did a majority of its damage on the track, as it only placed one individual in the top 3 in the field events. The Blue Devils set a meet record in the 4x800 relay (9:45.65) and sprint medley relay (4:23.77), while Bailey Thayer set a meet record in the 600 (1:39.62).
“For what it’s worth, I really applaud the girls,” Old Saybrook coach Peter Capezzone said of his team. “Coginchaug, they got a great team there.”
The Drops headlined the day, both picking up three wins. Sam won the 1,600, set a meet record in the 3,200 (11:37.48) and ran on the 4x800 relay team.
“To be this competitive team to win Shorelines is just unbelievable.”
Jessica, who was part of the 4x800 and sprint medley relay teams, turned in a brilliant state-best and meet-record time in the 1,000 (2:55.70), which ranks 18th in the nation according to milesplit.com.
“I like the speed aspect because I am a soccer player, but I like the distance aspect because I worked all summer on that,” Jessica said.
She first went under 3 minutes in the 1,000 in December at the Armory in New York, an event she said gave her confidence for the rest of season. On Saturday she went unchallenged in the event, pushing herself for a new personal best.
“I think it just shows my character, how I want to push myself to get better,” Drop said. “And it gives me confidence for states and State Open, where competition is coming.”
On the boys’ side, Old Saybrook won with 101 points. Coginchaug was second with 94 and Haddam-Killingworth was third with 80.
“We knew it was going to be tough. We knew it was going to be close,” Capezzone said.
The Rams used a balanced effort led by Luke Sumby, who won the 55 hurdles (8.14), pole vault (12 feet, 7 inches) and finished third in the long jump.
Teammate Tom Strand placed second in the 300 and ran on the third-place 4x400 relay team. The 4x800 relay team also placed third.
“Luke had an unbelievable day,” Capezzone said. “We have some good leadership on that team. It was a team effort.”
Coginchaug’s Christian Alberico completed an amazing triple, winning the 1,000, 1,600 and 3,200. Morgan’s Brian Gendron set a meet record in the 600 (1:23.09). Brandon Argyros and Andrew Gobany each scored twice for the host Indians in this victory at the Milford Ice Pavilion.
Charles Knights and Luke Gibbs also scored for Milford (7-5).
Pete Capone, John Monaco and Tyler Greco scored for the Easties (211).
Dom Raccio had two goals and Will McEwen made 14 saves to lead the Thunderbirds to their SCC-SWC Division II win at the Northford Ice Pavilion.
Robert Smith had 27 saves for the Tigers. Sal Gozzo had two goals and an assist and Carly Femniak made 25 saves to lead the Titans to their non-league win at Choate Rink in Wallingford. Mike Cerrotti added a goal and an assist for the Titans (83).
Ryan Gaidos scored for Dylan Noble made a free throw with no time remaining to lift the visiting Green Dragons to this Southern Connecticut Conference interdivision win in Woodbridge.
The victory came a day after Hamden snapped Fairfield Prep’s 44-game regular-season winning streak.
Andrew Rice scored 12 points for the Green Dragons. Chris Winkel led the Spartans with 11 points.
David Bradbury scored 22 points and had six rebounds, five assists and three steals for the host Warriors in this Shoreline Conference win in Deep River.
Chris Jean-Pierre had 11 points and five rebounds for Valley Regional (12-4).
Owen Greene
Kelly Glatt scored 15 points for the visiting Rams in this SCC interdivision victory.
Sara Como added nine points for Cheshire (11-5).
Jill Johnson scored 12 points for the Indians (7-9).
Laura Dulin scored 22 points for the visiting Eagles in this SCC interdivision win.
Amanda Leone had 15 points and Jessica Centore added 12 points for Law (11-6).
Kial Watts scored 15 points and Madison Watts had 13 points for the Westies (1-16).