The young season may just be starting but some of the top
runners in the state will converge on Allen's Meadows for the 28th
Annual Wilton Invitational this Saturday and look for Milesplit CT to provide
complete coverage.
On the boys' side, four ranked teams from the Connecticut Cross-Country Coaches Poll will be in attendance. Fairfield Warde (3rd), Fairfield Prep (4th), Amity (5th) and Darien (8th) headline the team competition. Throw in unranked Trumbull, who just defeated Fairfield Warde, 26-31, in a dual meet and you have the makings of a great early-season meet.
The individual title is up for grabs with seven of top 25 individuals from last year's State Open. Andrew Thompson of Fairfield Prep (9:13 for 3200m), Kyle Beaudette (Amity), Charlie Taubl (Trumbull) are three of the top 10 returners from last year's Open. Alex Mocarski (Fairfield Warde), Ajax Diamandis (Brien McMahon) who ran 4:16 last spring, Finn Davidson (Guilford) and Danny Jagoe of (Fairfield Warde) should also be up front. Add in Moetiz Shilleh of Masuk and William Brisman, who both had outstanding track seasons and anything can happen.
The girls have six of the top 26 returners from last year's State Open and five teams that have received points in the CT XC Coaches Poll.
Pomperaug who is ranked #5 and recently defeated #4 ranked Newton 18-42 will headline the field. They are led by the last two middle school state champions, freshman Maddie Villa and sophomore Ivy Walker.
Number eight ranked Greenwich held their own against #2 ranked Ridgefield in their season open. They were led by cross country new comer Emily Philippides who was State Open champion in the 600m and 800m and ran a 2:11 800m last spring. She is supported by Hetty McMillan who ran 5:11 for the 1600 during outdoor track.
The host team, Wilton Warriors are ranked #12 and should be in the mix. They are led by Morgan McCormick, who recently defeated Katelyn Romanchick of Trumbull and Gabi Galletta of Warde, two of the favorites to win the FCIAC championships later this season.
Below is the order of events for Saturday's meet:
9:30 - Freshman Girls (1.5 miles)
9:45 - Freshman Boys (1.5 miles)
10:00 - JV Girls (2.5 miles)
10:30 - JV Boys (3.1 miles)
11:00 - Varsity Girls (2.5 miles) top 10 runners only
11:30- Varsity Boys (3.1 mi) top 10 runners only
NOTE: If entries warrant it, separate Large and Small school races will be run every 25 minutes, beginning at 11.
30 minutes after finish of last Varsity race - Youth Races (1.5 miles)