Hillhouse’s Antoine breaks New England high jump record

Many of Connecticut’s standout track and field athletes shined at the New England Indoor Track and Field Championships on Saturday at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center in Boston.

Hillhouse’s Khalil Antoine broke the high jump record, clearing 7-00.25 inches to break the 32year-old record of 7-00 set by David Kriz of Trumbull in 1992. All eyes were on Antoine when he broke the record after an announcement was made he was attempting the jump.

He said it was important for him to win at New England Championships.

“It just shows to myself that I was correct in what I do,” Antoine said. “I felt as though I was really consistent at being the top high jumper this late in the season. And, then I can come out here, give a power jump and PR something crazy…I was pumped up. I was just excited to get over the bar and see everybody as excited as I was.”

Like Antoine, many other Connecticut state champions continued their success at the regional championships. Windsor’s Maxim Copeland won the 300 meters with a 33.90. East Lyme’s Thomas Matlock won the shot put with a 62-00 throw.

Hillhouse’s Leonaya Knox won the 55 meters hurdles with a time of 8.08, and Glastonbury’s Brooke Strauus won the 1,000 meters with a 2:54.52. Newington’s Katie Bohlke won the mile with a 4:52.96. Anna Siciliano of Hall won the girls shot put with a 43-09.50 throw.

There were also some Connecticut athletes who

didn’t win at the CIAC State Open, but captured New England titles. E.O. Smith’s Gabriella Hernandez

overcame State Open 600 meters champion Esme Daplyn to win the regional crown with a

time of 1:32.21. Conard’s Lizzy Bidwell, who finished third in the high jump at the State Open, won the event at the New England Championships (5-09).

Amity’s Micah Blair won the boys long jump with a 22-11 leap to capture the New England crown after finishing third at the CIAC State Open.

Some of the state’s relay teams also won at the regional championships. Lyman Hall’s boys 4X400 team won with a time of 3:22.52 and so did Ridgefield’s boys 4X800 team with a 7:47.62.

Glastonbury’s girls 4X800 team won at the New England Championships with a time of 9:00.29. Bloomfield topped the 4X200 race with a 1:41.85.

Photo courtesy Jim Matlock East Lyme’s Thomas Matlock competes during the CIAC Class M Championships on Feb. 10.

Christian Abraham/Hearst Connecticut Media Hillhouse’s Khalil Antoine competes in the high jump during State Open on Feb. 17.