GIRLS OUTDOOR TRACK 25 CIAC PLAYERS TO WATCH

Editor’s note: Stats from the last official track postseason (2019-20 indoor season) were used with stats from most recent indoor dual meet results (in March) where applicable plus recent national Meet of Champions held in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

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.

Chelsi Chevannes, Darien, Sr.: Her strength is in the field events. During the

2019-20 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, she won the Emerging Elite high jump (5-5). During the 2019-20 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 2019-20 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).

Kisha Francois, East Haven, Sr.: At the SCC indoor dual meets in March, she won the

55 dash (7.66) and won the 300 (43.89). In the 2019-20 indoor season, at Class M she won the long jump (17-3.25) and was second in the 55 dash (7.46).

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.

Molly Harding, Glastonbury, Jr.: During the

2019-20 indoor season, her natural ability and strong work ethic led to a second-place finish in the 600 at the State Open (1:36.55) and second in the 600 at Class LL (1:39.28).

Makayla Kelley, Norwich Free Academy, Sr.: During the 2019-20 indoor season, she was the ECC champion in the 1000 and finished fourth in the 1000 at Class LL (3:08.71). Kelley was a member of the 4x800m relay team that was fifth at Class LL and fourth at the State Open.

Audrey Kirkutis, Conard, So.: In the 201920 indoor season she won the high jump

(5-2) at the Class L meet and was fifth at the State Open and fifth at the CCC meet.

Kedarjah Lewis, Haddam-Killingworth, Sr.: During the 2019-20 season, at the State Open she was second in the 55 dash (7.31), fourth in the long jump (17-3.25) and sixth in the 300 (42.0).

Mallory Malz, Glastonbury, Sr.: One of the state’s top pole vaulters, she has perfected her expertise in the event by taking advantage of private practices. In the 2019-20 indoor season, she was second in the pole vault at Class LL (11-0) and third at the State Open

(11-6). She has committed to Villanova. Katie Menard, Mercy, Sr.: She was the SCC runner-up in the 600 during the 2019-20 indoor season (1:38.88). She was a member of the Tigers’ SMR relay team that won at the SCC meet and the 4x400m relay that was second. She is captain of the soccer team and will attend Iona where she will run and play soccer.

Leah Moore, Hillhouse, Sr.: During the indoor dual season in March she won the shot put in two meets with throws of 44-0.75 and

42-7. At the Meet of Champions national meet in South Carolina, she won the Championship Division shot put (41-10.5), was second in the Championship Division hammer throw (164-2) and was third in the Emerging Elite Division discus (120-0).

Mari Noble, Greenwich, Sr.: One of the top distance runners in the state, in the 2019-20 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, 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).

Kayla Park, Norwich Free Academy, Sr.: In the 2019-20 indoor season she was the ECC champion in the 300 and 600. At the Class LL Championships, she won the 1000

(3:02.48) and ran the anchor leg of a

4x800m relay team that was fifth at Class LL and fourth at the State Open. The versatile runner can compete at any distance and has a strong late kick as her strength.

Margo Pedersen, Wilbur Cross, Sr.: At the SCC indoor dual meet season in March, she won the 600 (1:43.88) and was second in the

1000 (3:13.68) and for her effort she was named SCC girls indoor track Outstanding Athlete.

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

2019-20 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.

Avery Rueckert, Old Saybrook, So.: At the Shoreline Conference South girls championship meet in March, she led the Rams to the team title with a win in the 600 (1:49.85), second in the 300 (44.86) and ran a leg of the winning 4x200 relay.

Mariella Schweitzer, Barlow, Jr.: She was fourth at the 2019-20 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, she was fourth in the Emerging Elite 100 hurdles (14.94) and ninth in the Emerging Elite long jump (16-6.5).

Chloe Scrimgeour, Conard, Sr.: At the Meet of Champions, she was third in the Championship Division 5000 (17:34.27) and sixth in the Championship Division 2-mile

(10:39.11). She will compete in track at Georgetown.

Anna Steffen, Hand, Sr.: At the SCC indoor dual meets in March, she won the 1600

(5:15.46). In the fall she had success in cross country, breaking the East Shore Park record in her SCC first place winning run of 18:46.

Edith Walker, RHAM, Sr.: The distance specialist is expected to improve upon the success she had at the Class M meet during the 2019-20 indoor season. She was third in the 1000 (3:02.21) and fourth in the 1600

(5:30.67).

Nyia White, Wilbur Cross, Sr.: At the SCC indoor dual meet season in March she won the 55 dash (7.89) and 300 (43.24). She has committed to compete at Howard University.

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 AllState Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year. She is committed to run at Notre Dame.