In her first track season, soccer star shatters 400-meter state record
Sydney Segalla put on a remarkable performance Tuesday on the track at Willow Brook Park in New Britain.
She got something to eat. And then she went out and scored a goal for her CFC United premier team in a 3-1 win over FSA of Farmington in Bethany.
“Yeah, I am very sore today,” the 5-foot-11 senior from Housatonic Valley Regional said.
The aches of Wednesday were well earned on Tuesday.
Not only did Segalla sweep the 100, 200 and 400 meters at the CIAC Class S championship, she set meet records in 100 and 400. Her 100 time of 11.90 broke the Class S record of 11.93 set by Terry Miller of Bloomfield in 2019.
Her 400 time of 52.96 seconds was nothing short of stunning, shattering the Class S record of 56.29 and nearly breaking the state record of 52.67 by Precious
Holmes of Hillhouse from 2012.
Several parents approached Segalla at the meet to tell her how great it was to watch her. She had photos and videos sent to her.
“A lot of kids who run track and field started following me on Instagram and DMing me, ‘You’re insane.’ Stuff like that.”
This is Segalla’s first season participating in track.
It was the third time she ever ran the 400. Digest that information. Now consider this. “I almost missed the 400,” she said.
She went over to the starter’s table to get the number to put on her leg.
“The guy gave me a sticker for Lane 5, Heat 7,” she said. “But it was my 200meter number. I was standing there and I’m thinking, ‘Wait, there aren’t enough girls here for a Heat 7.’ And the ones who were there standing around were in sneakers. I was confused.”
The girls were at the line in “set” position when the official suddenly waived them off and put Segalla into the race.
She promptly popped a
East regular season and tournament titles. Still, it’s hard not to wonder how much better UConn might be if Crawford, who clubbed a Big East-high 13 homers and 62 RBI last season and touched 100 MPH with his fastball over the summer in the Cape Cod League, had been pitching and hitting this season rather than rehabbing and cheering his team on during home games.
“It’s been a really fun season to watch,” Crawford insisted. “It makes everything else going on a lot less worse, because we’re having such a good season. It’s really fun to watch.”
Crawford spent last weekend back at his Frackville, Penn. home while the Huskies were winning the Big East tourney. He didn’t travel with the team to Maryland, either, but will be rooting on his teammates from afar while continuing his rehab work.
Crawford has been throwing and hitting off a tee, and was slated to start some front-toss hitting this week.
“I feel unbelievable,” he reported. “My arm feels great, my swing feels great. I’m super-happy with how my rehab’s going, how I’m progressing. Can’t complain at all.”
So great that he could help the team out right now if possible? Crawford smiled.
“I definitely feel like I can, but I’m not that far along. It’s definitely different watching and not playing, but I’ve adapted.”
Prior to his elbow issues, Crawford was seen as a potential first-round MLB Draft pick. Where does he project now? Hard to say.
UConn coach Jim Penders clearly feels Crawford should be, at worst, a mid-first round pick.
“Look, if he’s there, you’ve got to take him,” Penders said. “The kid’s a freak. The upside is incalculable.”
Will a major league team concur? Virtually every one has contacted Crawford in recent weeks, some stopping in to check on his rehab. He won’t be going to the MLB Draft Combine June 14-20 at Petco Park in San Diego. Rather, teams will be coming to Storrs in the ensuing weeks to watch him throw and hit.
A little over a month ago,
Baseball America rated Crawford as the No. 49 overall draft prospect — down eight spots from his prior ranking. More recently, mlb.com has Crawford rated as the No. 76 overall prospect.
No doubt, Crawford’s strength and power at the plate are enticing, though his fastball (which averaged just over 97 MPH last summer) and slider (84-85 MPH) may point to a future on the mound. True, he only has 72⁄3 innings of pitching at the collegiate level under his belt, which may be more of a concern than the Tommy John surgery. But a mid-tolate first round or early-second round selection is hardly out of the question come the MLB Draft July 17-19.
Crawford’s not worrying about it all that much.
“I’m just trying to stay focused on the season,” he said. “Even though I’m not playing, it’s really fun to watch. I’m trying to stay in the present. Obviously, it’s in July and it’s coming up, but I’m taking care of the things I need to take care of right now.”