The Connecticut state leader board was shaken up and several
nationally ranked performances were made this weekend at the Dan O'Grady Relays
in Danbury.
The highlight of Friday evening's meet were nationally ranked performances in the girls and boys hammer throws. Christian Sturm of St. Paul High School heaved the 15th best throw in the US with 178-5 to extend his state lead.
He was followed by Amanda Howe of Southington who let loose a PR of 155-11 which cracked the top ten in the US. The University of Iowa committed athlete now has the 2nd best throw in state history, behind only Brittany Jones of Bloomfield who set the record of 163'0 last year at O'Gradys.
On Saturday, Greenwich High girls set the tone of the day
on the first event with a new meet record and top 50 US time of 12:22.35 in the
distance medley relay. The team of Emily
Philippides, Jordan Numme, Zoe Harris and Hetty McMillan broke the old record anchored
by Staples All American Hannah Debalsi in 2013 by just over a second.
Staples boys also set the meet record in the DMR with their 10:21.97, but will have to settle for the 2nd best time in the state because Hall High School took fifth at the Penn Relays in 10:13.47.
Danbury sophomore Meilee Kry finished 5th in the long jump at the Indoor State Open, but set a seven-inch personal record on Saturday with a 18'1.5. This jump puts her in contention for the Open title this spring and moves her into the top 75 long jumpers nationally.
In the most popular event of the day, the 2000m steeplechase, junior Eddie Nichols of Nonnewaug took the individual win and helped his team win the relay in the event. His 6:31.89 barely beat out his teammate Elias Field, who was about a half second behind with a 6:32.32. They are both coached by Eddie's sister Jackie who holds the state record and was All American in the event.
In the team competition, both Danbury boys and girls won the overall titles on their home track. The Lady Hatters defeated the- 26 team field scoring 87 points with runner up Trumbull scoring 50.
The boys defended their O'Grady title scoring 65 points to FCIAC rival Staples' 50.
In the division scores based on team size, Danbury girls won the large school division, with SWC power houses Pomperaug taking the medium school title and Weston earning the small school win.
Danbury boys won the boys large school division, with New Canaan winning the medium school title and Haddam Killingworth earning the small school victory.
Other CT Boys State Leaders from the O'Grady Relays
SMR 3:39.15 Weston High School
4x800m 8:13.27 Fairfield Ludlowe
Discus 150-0 KHALED ELMADY Brookfield High
4x200m 1:30.62 Danbury High School
SMR 800m 1:34.72 Hillhouse High
4x1600m 18:14.24 Amity High School
SHR 4x110m 1:12.00 Danbury High School
Other CT Girls State Leaders from the O'Grady Relays
4x800 Meter 9:41.02 Fairfield Ludlowe
Sprint Medley 4:17.93 Danbury High School
Triple Jump 36-10 Rachel Fleischer Derby
SMR 800m 1:48.93 Hillhouse High
4x1600m 22:21.18 Haddam-Killingworth
800 M SMR 1:48.93 Hillhouse High