Central CT Conference Preview

Many of the same athletes as last year will compete in the CCC girls cross country championship as nine of the top 10 girls were underclassmen in 2017.  The top four, led by defending champion Jenna Zydanowicz of Hall were all sophomores and this class has already shown off their talent and depth. 

Zydanowicz broke five minutes for 1600m and earned All New England in the event. Kate Hedlund of Manchester ran a 5:02 in the event for 5^th at the State Open and also earned All New England. 

But the surprise of the year had to be last year's 3rd place finisher, Rocky Hill's Elizabeth Stockman who was New England champion in the 3200m and had the fastest times in the state over the 1600m and 3200m distances with a 4:55 and 10:32.   All three can be called legitimate challengers for the State Open title, but only one can come out on top.  They will all have to race each other in their conference meet schedules plus any invites they do before the post season arrives.    

Another athlete not to be counted out is Avon's Rhiannon Richmond. Last year as a sophomore, she had an off race in the CCC meet and finished 20^th, but came back to take 5^th in her class meet and 29^th at the State Open.  She was Class MM 1600m champion in outdoor track and also ran an 11:01 at the Greater Hartford meet which was the 3^rd fastest time in the conference last spring. 

Glastonbury, the defending State Open champion was hard hit by graduation.  They graduated four of their top seven but do return a strong junior varsity team.  They have won the last four CCC titles so you can never over look them, but Hall returns their top five that finished 2^nd in the conference. 

Besides Hedland, Hall also returns Rose Kitz and Francesca Lynch who finished 4^th and 15^th in the CCC meet last year.  All three were also part of 9:36 4 x 800m relay that took 7^th in the State Open during outdoor track.

There are a lot of established teams and individuals in the CCC so that should make this year quite exciting for the fans out there.