Danbury girls dominate on way to championship

Glastonbury boys win 1st outdoor title since 1960

NEW BRITAIN — There was domination and there was history as the Class LL Outdoor Track Boys and Girls Championships concluded Thursday after a second day of competition at Willowbrook Park.

The Danbury High School girls track squad literally ran away from the field to take home the LL girls team championship plaque.

The Hatters — the FCIAC champions — collected 154 points to outdistance runner-up Greenwich High (60 points). NFA (56) was third followed by Southington (54), Glastonbury (53) and Trumbull (52).

“Many hands together make light work. That’s what we talked about for this postseason,” said Danbury girls coach Nick Fraticelli. “The whole team mentality is that we are in this together. And together the girls have found they can do amazing things.”

History was made in the Class LL boys championship, as Glastonbury High School captured its first outdoor track title since 1960.

Glastonbury (75.5 points) held off runner-up NFA

(73) for the championship plaque. Manchester (67) was third followed by Wilbur Cross (50), Ridgefield

(48) and Enfield (43.5). “This is so special. I could see that this senior group (about 25) from the time they were freshmen had the potential and talent to get here,” said Glastonbury coach Mark Alexander. “We spent three years molding the group. This win, this LL title was the ultimate goal. We were fourth after Wednesday but I knew our big events were coming today. The boys accepted the challenge.”

The Danbury girls’ dancing victory lap was made possible by many standouts.

Freshman Alanna Smith won the 100-meter dash

(12.47) Wednesday and captured the 200 (24.98) and 400 (55.56) on Thursday. The 200 and 400 times were personal bests.

“It has been an amazing first year and I’m happy to do what I can for our group,” Smith said.

Danbury also won the

4x400 relay (3:59.40). In the field events, Meilee Kry was victorious in the triple jump (38-feet-1). Tianna Rogers captured the shot put (39-feet-1).

Greenwich earned most of its points in the distance events.

Sophomore Mari Noble took the 1,600 (4:59.25) in the rain Wednesday and won the 3,200 (10:42.58) by

12 seconds over GHS teammate Caroline Webb.

“I was happy with the

3,200. It was good to have a day to recover and run in dry conditions,” Noble said. “When I came to Greenwich High, I had no idea I’d be able to have this level of

success. I’m excited about the State Open and the nationals (in Greensboro, N.C., 10 days after the Open).”

Greenwich’s Zoe Harris was Class LL champ in the

800 in 2:14.24.

“I decided today to go out fast. At 400 meters, I just decided to go and go,” said Harris, who has also qualified for nationals. “I was determined to get to the finish line. I wasn’t going to be disappointed.”

Ridgefield junior Emma Langis set a new record of

44.12 in winning the 300meter hurdles. She will try to defend her State Open title in the event next week.

“I’ve had to fight back from a hip fracture early in the year. So winning in record time is a great moment,” Langis said.

On the boys side, there was a trio of double gold medal champions.

McMahon High senior Justin Forde captured the long jump (23-feet-6.50) in the rain Wednesday. He added the triple jump Thursday, breaking the meet record set in 1994 at

50-feet-1.25.

Chris Pigatt of Hamden High took the 100 dash

(10.87) on Wednesday. He added the 200 (22.12) on Thursday.

New Britain High senior Chaz Williams — running on his home track — edged NFA junior Osarentin Osagie at the wire while capturing the 110-meter hurdles

(14.91) and the 300 hurdles (39.03).

“I knew Osagie would push me. I knew nothing was guaranteed,” Williams said. “As a senior, double gold medals are great. The legacy of New Britain HS hurdles is renowned.”

Other Class LL boys champions Thursday included Fairfield Prep’s Azaan Dawson (800,

1:57.22), Wilbur Cross’ Travis Martin (1600,

4:20.85) and Manchester freshman Aidan Puffer

(3200, 9:10.13).

Other Class LL girls champions Thursday included Trumbull’s Hailey Angelucci (javelin, 128-09) and Southington’s Trinity Cardillo (discus, 118-4).