SCC Girls
By MARTY OGDEN
In the Southern Connecticut Conference Amity, Cheshire and Mercy went 1-2-3 in the girl's conference meet last year but Mercy came back stronger in the post season taking 11th in the State Open, with Amity taking 18th and Cheshire failing to qualify out of the competitive Class LL meet where they finished 10th. But the past few years, Cheshire has had some talented underclassmen, led by now junior Lauren Daddi. Two years ago, the Rams were fourth in the SCC, and last year they finished as a runner-up to Amity. Could this year be the year they win their fourth SCC title and first since 2009? Amity will be led by last year's top freshman Abigail Bowser, who is the third returner.
The best thing about cross country is that the team that often works the hardest over the summer and has the highest number of returners doesn't always win championships. Mercy, which won in 2013 and 2014, will hope to re-group to get back to the winner's circle along with Daniel Hand, who only had one senior in their top 12 last year.
Individually, Bridgid Selfors of Mercy and Daddi of Cheshire should battle it out. Both made New England's last year and had outstanding track seasons in the spring with Selfors breaking 11 minutes in the 3,200m and Daddi running a 5:08 1,600m. Others to challenge them for the title will be Emily Criscuolo of Amity, who ran a 5:06 for the mile at Indoor New Englands to earn All New England and North Haven's Elise Symon, who ran a 5:17 1,600m and is steadily improving. Claire Keanna of Guilford was eighth in the Class MM meet last fall and Abigail Bowser of Amity who ran some very good 4x800m legs should also be in the lead pack.