Danbury’s Kdopar wins 55 hurdles
NEW HAVEN – In one of the closest races of the night at the CIAC Class LL Indoor Track Championships on Saturday, Audrey Kdopar of Danbury used a strong lean at the end of the 55 hurdles to win in 8.74 at the Floyd Little Athletic Center.
Meg Barnouw of Fairfield Warde was a close second in 8.76.
After a tough start to the season, Kdopar has turned her season around.
“I was struggling at the beginning of the season and I knew I had to make a change,” Kdopar said. “Now, I am a little more aggressive and I’m running through the hurdles. I started well but I knew I was slightly behind going into the last hurdle.
“I saw how close she (Barnouw) was and I needed that lean at the end to win.”
Hall boys, Glastonbury girls win titles
The Hall boys won their sixth straight state title with 96 points. Greenwich was second with 38 points and Staples third with 36.
Hall had three individual wins with Samuel Sandler winning the 300 (34.71), Gabe Sisk the 600 (1:23.32) and Joe Nham the 55 hurdles (7.77).
“This is pretty special for our athletes,” Hall coach Jeff Billing said. “I told them to enjoy the bus ride here, enjoy the competition and have fun. We all had fun today.”
Glastonbury won the girls title with 89 points, Greenwich was second with 61 and Conard was third (52).
Greenwich’s Fay peaking at right time
Kaitlyn Fay of Greenwich was disappointed with the way she was closing the regular season. She made some adjustments heading into the FCIAC meet and it paid off. She won the 55 dash at the Class LL meet in a personal best 7.26.
“I was finishing my races in 7.45 and 7.50, and that is slow for me,” Fay said. “I made some adjustments and now I am improving my times. Tonight, I improved my PR by .01.
“I’m peaking at the right time and I am looking forward to the State Open.”
Broderick starts strong, wins 1,600
Parker Broderick of Fairfield Warde took an early lead in the 1600, with Broderick and Colin Goldschmidt of Hall running 1-2 most of the race. Broderick never gave up the lead and pulled away the final lap to win in 4:22.28. Goldschmidt was second in 4:26.15.
“Before this year, I always sat back in my races and kicked at the end,” Broderick said. “This year I’ve been more aggressive and I go for the early lead. I’m having a great season because of that change.
“My goal this postseason was to qualify for the State Open (Feb. 18) and now I have done that.”