Connecticut State Open Preview - Girls

The class championships are over and the top girls cross country teams in
Connecticut prepare to do battle Friday, November 5th at Wickham Park in
the 26th edition of the State Open Meet. 

Defending team champions Fairfield have their hands full after being upset
Saturday by Trumbull in the class meet. All eyes, however, are pointed at
favorite Fitch-Groton, which blistered its class race with a combined team
time of just over 81 minutes for the 4000 meter course. The second best
team was three minutes back. Several teams, including Fairfield and
Trumbull, will take aim at Fitch. E.O. Smith, which won their class race,
ran slower times than expected due to the afternoon temperatures compared
to the morning races. Other teams to watch are Amity-Woodbridge, Joel
Barlow-Redding, Norwich Free Academy, South Windsor and Staples-Westport.
The top six teams will represent Connecticut in the four state New England
Championships November 13th at Wickham Park. 

As interesting as the team race appears, the individual crown looks to be a
classic clash between experience and inexperience. Defending champion,
Jessica Schenk (senior, Fitch-Groton) ran the third fastest time (15:24)
of the day for the class meets. The top time was turned in by former soccer
player, now runner, Chelsea Lenge, (junior, Conard-West Hartford) who ran
15:13. Lisa Stublic (sophomore, Crosby-Waterbury) who ran 15:20 for the
day's second fastest time, Beth Agostino, (senior, South Windsor) and
Meghan Owen (freshman, Killingly) also figure to challenge Schenk.


Mark Logan
RHAM High School