Greenwich takes title

NEW HAVEN — When the members of the Greenwich High School girls indoor track and field team reflect on their high school days years from now, they will, no doubt, remember its special 2017-18 season when everything just kept getting better.

They will remember this season as the winter in which they captured the triple crown — the State Open, Class LL and FCIAC titles — and made program history in the process.

One week after winning its first Class LL championship, this season’s Greenwich squad added to its great legacy, claiming its first State Open title on Saturday at Hillhouse High School’s Floyd Little Athletic Center.

Receiving impressive performances in each event, the Cardinals totaled a team score of 56 points. Danbury was the runner-up with 32 team points, followed by Hillhouse (28), Hamden (28), Bloomfield (25) and Fairfield Ludlowe (20).

“Our team performed great the last two weeks and they were great again today,” Cardinals coach Evan Dubin said. “They lived up to the hype and to their expectations. To see the hard work our team has put in over the years come to fruition feels so amazing.”

Said GHS senior standout Emily Philippides: “First FCIACs, then LLs, now the State Open — the season keeps getting better and better. Four years ago, I wouldn’t have thought that we would have accomplished so much. All the hard work we put in has paid off.”

In the 300-meter run, Hamden senior Aisha Gay claimed the State Open title, posting a time of 39.56. Jillian Mars of Bloomfield was second in 40.16.

“Being patient was the key for me,” Gay said. “I followed my race plan that I put out this week, I kept my energy up and I was able to take it home. The competition in this race pushed me to run my personal-best time and win.”

Freshman Tess Stapleton of Ludlowe captured the 55 hurdles title in 8.36 seconds, while Day was the 55 dash winner (7.16). Moore of Danbury took fourth in the 3200 run.

Kisha Francois of East Haven won the Long jump (16-11.50).