By David Fierro
The season keeps getting more and more exciting for the Greenwich High School varsity girls track and field team.
After winning the team title for the first time since 1984 at the recent FCIAC Championships, the Cardinals finished first in the team standings at the CIAC Class LL Track and Field Championships for the first time in program history on June 2nd at Willow Brook in New Britan, Conn., amassing an impressive team score of 105 points.
Displaying its talent and depth, Greenwich out-performed 22 other teams to win its first CIAC Class LL track and field championship and first state title since it won the Class L title back in 1983.
“Winning LLs was definitely a highlight of my season,” said junior Nina Silver, one of the Cardinals’ captains. “I’m so honored to be a captain of a team this incredible. This victory is truly a testament of the hard work and determination of all the girls on this team.”
Greenwich, which is competing in the CIAC State Open Track and Field Championships today (June 7) at Willow Brook Park, certainly entered the ultra-competitive Class LL championships with plenty of momentum after capturing the team title at the FCIAC Championships, which included several rival schools.
“I think today was a great day for all the girls on our team,” said GHS junior Theresa Knuth, also one of the Cardinals’ captains. “We really came together and it paid off. We do lots of interesting team activities to stay bonded leading up to these big meets and I think it works really well.”
Senior captain Sophia Riche’ won two individual events for the Cardinals at the Class LL Championships. She won the 100-meter hurdles title with a time of 15.39 seconds. Gabrielle Rivera of Norwalk, a junior, placed second in the 100-meter hurdles in 15.46.
In the 300-meter hurdles race, Riche` captured the gold medal, clocking in at 45.73 seconds – a personal-record time. Rivera of Norwalk was the runner-up (47.38).
“Winning the 100 and 300-meter hurdle races has been a goal for me this season and I am super happy to have accomplished this feat,” Riche` said. “Coach Large has been crucial to strengthening my hurdle form and learning to snap my trail leg down.”
“I had tough competition but the hard work we put in this season paid off and I am also excited about breaking the 46-second barrier in the 300 hurdle race,” Riche` noted.
The Class LL championship meet began with junior Gemma Hardwick, junior Margaret McCooe, Orla Muir (junior) and junior captain Eliana Daplyn combining to win the 4×800-meter relay race with a time of 9:25.33. Glastonbury placed second in 9:31.70.
“We went into the meet wanting to be competitive but also have fun and enjoy it,” Daplyn said. “We knew we had a shot and we started off strong by scoring some early points, which really set the tone for the rest of the day.”
“What really stood out was how much we were supporting each other – girls were cheering all day, whether they were racing or not,” Daplyn continued.
Greenwich’s 4×400-meter relay also excelled. Hardwick, Silver, McCooe and Daplyn claimed the gold medal with a season-best time of 3:58.92. Glastonbury had a second-place finish in 4:00.89.
“One of the best parts was during the 4×4 at the end – having all the girls who weren’t competing crowding the sidelines and screaming as we came down the homestretch,” Daplyn said. “It made the win feel even more special. I’m so grateful for teammates who always push each other to succeed.”
Said Silver: “My favorite part of the meet was definitely the 4×4. Gemma, Maggie (McCooe) Ellie (Daplyn) and myself had all done events beforehand but despite this we still ran a 3:58 – a PR for our relay. At FCIACs, we ran a 4:02 and LLs was our first time ever
Hardwick reflected on the Cardinals’ outstanding victory in the 4×800 relay.
“I am especially so proud of all the girls who competed with me in the 800,” Hardwick said. “It was a fast race and I am so happy that so many of my team members are advancing to the State Opens.”
Daplyn posted a third-place finish in the 800-meter run at the Class LL meet, registering a time of 2:15.15. Hardwick was fourth in the race (2:15.50, personal-record) and McCooe took fifth (2:18.11). Glastonbury senior Brooke Strauss was the 800-meter champion (2:12.77).
Silver finished fourth in the 400-meter race, crossing the finish line in 59.42 seconds. Ali Sultana (New Britain, 57.78) was the 400 winner. In the field events, Knuth earned the Class LL silver medal in the discus with a throw of 115-10. Knuth was eighth in the javelin Class LL javelin competition (90-05).
“Knowing that I have my teammates come support me and have expectations for me really makes me compete well,” Knuth said. “I know they are relying on me to bring us some points in the throws and that definitely drove my performance in shot put and discus. I can’t wait to see what we all can do at the State Open.”
Riche` medaled in the triple jump, finishing second (35-06.00). In the 4×100 relay race, the Cardinals earned a sixth-place finish in 49.73. Freshman Sophia Passalacqua was sixth in a personal-record time of 5:07.27. Teammate Sydney Friedman, a junior, was 13th (5:29.73, PR). Passalacqua took third in the 3200-meter run in 11:06.05 and freshman Adriana Bozza was 12th (11:36.31, PR).
Glastonbury was the runner-up in the team standings with 95 points, while Southington (60 points), Manchester (56) and Ridgefield (50.5 points) rounded out the top-five finishers in the 23 team Class LL Championships.
“I think it was such an amazing day for our team, it was such a special moment and it was so nice to see all of the hard work we have put in pay off,” Hardwick said. “I love how our team is strong in many different areas and it’s so special and rare to have a team with so much adversity and to be scoring in so many events.”
