CROSS COUNTRY | STATE OPEN GUIDE
The State Open takes place Friday at Wickham Park in Manchester. The top runners from each class and the best teams from across the state will square off in one of the most anticipated dates on the calendar. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect.
BOYS
Time: 2:45 p.m.
Defending team champion: Xavier
2018 Winner: Eli Nahom, New Milford
What to watch for: A new team champion could be crowned in Tolland, which won another Class M title by placing its first four runners in the top seven. Conard posted the fastest team time (1:21:51) last week in winning Class LL with brothers Gavin and Callem. Staples was in the 1:23 range along with Tolland, while Xavier (1:24:48) will count on youth if it wants to make it back-to-back titles.
The three-way battle between Xavier’s Robbie Cozean, Manchester’s Aidan Puffer and Gavin Sherry should take place at the front of the pack, and it will be interesting to see how close to 15 minutes the trio can approach. Behind them are a host of runners who will look to crack 16 minutes, including Alec Sauter of Tolland. Morgan Fierro (Staples) edged Callum Sherry (Conard) for third in Class LL last week.
Top 10 times from Class meets Gavin Sherry, Conard (15:24)
Robbie Cozean, Xavier (15:30)
Aidan Puffer, Manchester (15:33)
Alec Sauter, Tolland (16:08)
Sam Geisler, Newington (16:09) Morgan Fierro, Staples (16:13) Callum Sherry, Conard (16:13)
Jacob Smith, Glastonbury (16:15)
Jack Martin, Avon (16:18)
Jackson Grady, Hall (16:20)
GIRLS
Time: 2 p.m.
Defending team champion: Danbury
Defending individual champion: Kate Wiser, Pomperaug
What to watch: Kate Wiser set the course record in winning the Class L championship (17:39), the first time she ran at Wickham this season. Breaking Staples graduate Hannah DeBalsi’s mark seemed like it wouldn’t happen for a long time, but Wiser has emerged as a once-in-a-generation talent for the Panthers. With New Englands also set for the same course, 2019 could be a year to remember for the athlete who finished seventh at Foot Locker nationals last December.
The battle for second was separated by a second last year, and a host of runners have a chance to get the silver medal this term. Kathryn Rodrigues of Wolcott went unchallenged in winning the Class SS title, while Mari Noble (Greenwich) won the Class LL race by almost 30 seconds.
Hall enters the race as a big team favorite, like Wiser. The Warriors won the Class LL race by 20 points despite No. 1 runner Jenna Zydanowicz hobbling to the finish line. Runner-up Trumbull (1:41:55) was close in time to Hall (1:40:44) but a first State Open in program history is very possible for the West Hartford school. Ridgefield, Simsbury and Class L champion New Canaan will be in the mix, too.
Top 10 times from Class meets Kate Wiser, Pomperaug (17:39)
Mari Noble, Greenwich (18:30)
Kate Hedlund, Manchester (18:58) Kathryn Rodrigues, Wolcott (18:59) Claire Daniels, New Milford (18:59) Daniella Grullon-Pena, Danbury (19:10) Ava Graham, Bethel (19:10)
Kylie Raymond, Somers (19:12) Amanda Dewey, Simsbury (19:14) Mairead Clas, Darien (19:20)