Chris Bendtsen (Wolcott) thows down a time of 16:03 to send a message that he will be the man to beat at next Friday's State Open Championships
Norwich Free Academy and Glastonbury girls have traded on and off being at the top of the state poll all season, Heading into the weekend Glastonbury sat on top, but today Norwich Free overcame the 1-2 finish by Glastonbury to record the win. New Milford would also slip in ahead of Glastonbury to take 2nd
Meg Ryan (Fairfield Warde) pushed the pace in the middle of the girls L race and coming into the last 200 meter climb to the finish looked like a sure winner, but 100 meter out started to get in touble and then with 20 meters went down and struggled over the finish line. As Ryan fought to get over the line Lauren Sara (Bunnell) went by to take the individual crown and post the days best time
Team Champions
Division S - BOYS - Bolton 54 over Sepaug Valley 123 GIRLS- Old Lyme 48 over Thomaston 64
Division SS - BOYS - Weston 58 over Canton 62 GIRLS - Gramby 78 over East Hampton 111
Division M - BOYS - Tolland 51 over Wolcott 122 GIRLS - New Fairfield 94 over Suffield 116
Division MM - BOYS - Darien 63 over Guilford 73 GIRLS - Guilford 61 over Hand 103
Division L - BOYS - New Milford 53 over Conard 105 GIRLS - Wilton 86 over Fairfield Warde 89
Division LL - BOYS - Xavier 64 over Hamden 126 GIRLS - Norwich Free 94 over New Milford 126
Winners Table (Click on race name to be taken to results)
Preview: Hot races on tap in "LL" division to highlight action
Connecticut kicks off the 2009 cross country state meets in The Met with the Divisional Championships this upcoming weekend at Wickham Park. Teams from each of the 12 races (6 classes for both boys and girls) as well as individuals will advance to next Friday’s State Open Championship back at Wickham Park. Here is a fast look at a few of the key match ups this weekend:
Girls The #1, #2 and #4 teams from the Fleet Feet Coaches Poll will square off in the Girls “LL” race. Glastonbury, the current #1, and Norwich Free Academy, currently #2, have traded off being on top of the poll all season will be joined by current #4 Cheshire in fighting for the two automatic qualifying spots. The battle for individual honors in “LL” will also see runners from the two top schools going head to head. Lindsay Crevioserat will lead Glastonbury and Sarah Eagan will lead the charge for Norwich Free Academy.
The “L” race could be the best individual battle of the day when Lauren Sara (Bunnell), Meg Ryan (Fairfield Warde) and Rosa Moriello (Naugatuck) all square off.
Sarah Cotton (Daniel Hand) who could be the best runner in the state should have little trouble remaining undefeated and is sure to take the “MM” crown.
Boys
Eight of the top ten teams in the state will step to the line in the “LL” race. Heading the list of ranked teams will be current state #1 Xavier. Trying to knock off the men in black will be Hamden (#3), Danbury (#4), Cheshire (#5), Glastonbury (#6), Amity (#7), Fairfield Prep (#9), and Staples (#10). The individual race could be just as exciting with Sean Mueller (Cheshire), Ryan Laemel (Amity), Connor Rog(Fairfield Prep), Chris FitzSimmons (Hamden) and Ian Albert (Xavier) set to fight it out.
The “L” race could be a close 3 man battle with Dave Cotton (Daniel Hand), Dan Nestor(Daniel Hand) and Michael Conway (Hall) gunning for the individual gold
Two of the best runners in the state are in the M & MM division races. John Raneri (New Fairfield) the state indoor 3200 meter champ and 4th at the Outodoor Nike Nationals 5000 meters will be the man to beat in the “MM” race and Christopher Bendtsen (Wolcott) who posted the days best time at the Brown Invite will have all eyes on him in the “M” race.
