Wilton Invitational recap

New Fairfield senior Gabby Richichi en route to her win (Photo by Marty Ogden)
 
By MARTY OGDEN
 
The 26th Annual Wilton Invitational took place on Saturday at Allen's Meadow over a flat five-kilometer course for boys and 4K course for the girls. 
 
This early-season matchup between Staples High and Amity on the boys' side of the large school race was mild upset as Amity's depth was too much for Staples. Amity, ranked No. 6 in the The Running Academy Coaches' Preseason Poll, defeated the second-ranked Wreckers, 31-44. In the small school division, Brunswick School of Greenwich took on the Wilton Warriors on their home turf and, just like Amity, pulled away with their tighter pack winning,74-85. Wilton didn't go away empty-handed as senior Spencer Brown used his 4:11 mile speed to pull away on the last straightaway to take the individual title by two seconds over Amity's sophomore Kyle Beaudette in 15 minutes, 32 seconds.  
 
The large school race on the girls' side was much easier for pre-season No. 2 ranked Glastonbury as it defeated fourth-ranked Ridgefield, 22-40, who sat most of their top seven. The small school race was much tighter with nine points separating the top four teams.  Immaculate of Danbury continues to set the pace among the small schools in Connecticut as they defeated Darien, 74-80, with Wilton scoring 81 and Guilford 83.  Gabby Richici of New Fairfield, the second fastest returner from last year's State Open, made quick work of the field from the very start, winning in 13:59, a 43-second victory over Mary Lynch from Wilton.  
 
 
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