By Senior Correspondent Marty Ogden & Ron Knapp, Editing and Graphics by Ron Knapp

In honor of MySportsResults 25 years of covering Connecticut high school track and field and cross country, we finish our series of looking back at 25 of the best female athletes over the past quarter of a century for the outdoor track and field season. 

We hope you enjoy this final segment of top 25 females who made an impact on our sport since the spring of 2014 that also includes those who made our honorable mention list. 

Claire Howlett, Westhill, Class of 2014

In one of only a few appearances in her senior season, Howlett ran to a fast first place in the 5000m run in 16:28.71 at the Spartan Midnight Sunrise Invite at Amity HS in early May that remains as the state record. Later in the month she sped to a her personal best time in the 1600m of 4:48.19 at the FICAC championships that is a #6 CT all time mark. Howlett capped her season with a bronze medal in the 5000m at the New Balance Nationals in 16:46.74. But it was in Howlett’s junior season where she became a state and regional contender as she started dueling with freshman phenom Hannah Debalsi of Staples. In the spring of 2013 Howlett was a double Open champion in the 1600m (4:53.97) and the 3200m in her personal record of 10:20.03 that is still the fourth best all-time in state history. Howlett finished her season as an All American with a fifth place time of 16:45.56 at the NBNO meet and gained the honor as the Gatorade Athlete of the Year. 

Jaliyah White, Hillhouse, Class of 2015

Jaliyah White held the CT record in the 300m hurdles for nine years but has since dropped back to #3 CT all time after Kareema McKenzie and D’Asia Duncan went under her record in a matter of weeks this year. White also held the Open record with her PR of 43.18 until this year as well. White finished her career by taking 2nd in the CIAC Heptathlon Championship with 4,164 points. In her junior year White ran 1:01.42 in the 400m hurdles at the Loucks Games which is still #3 all time and also won her first Open title in the 300m hurdles. White was a triple threat as she helped her team to a runner-up finish at the Open, by scoring in the 100m hurdles and placing second in the triple jump. 

Danae Rivers, Wilbur Cross, Class of 2016

The mid 2010s were probably the greatest era of girls distance running and Danae Rivers was among the very best to ever speed over the tracks in the Nutmeg State. The 800m and 1600m were specialities for Rivers and she had outstanding speed she would often use to sit on the leaders and pass everyone on the last lap. After a 4th place finish in the 1600m and a 2nd place finish in the 800m at the Open her freshman year, Rivers returned a few days later to win the 1600m in 4:54.47, her first of many New England titles. During her sophomore season she swept the Open titles in the 1600m and 800m and was part of the winning 4x400m team that she followed with a New England win in the 1600m and a runner-up finish in the 800. Racing against Hannah Debalsi in the 1600m pushed her to breaking the CT record with a time of 4:47.45, currently the CT #3 all-time. Her junior year, Rivers swept the Open and New England titles in the 1600m and 800m with her 800m time of 2:05.86 remains as a CT #2 all-time performance. After her runner-up finish to Jessica Drop at the Open in the 1600m in her senior year Rivers returned to help Wilbur Cross to win the CT and NE titles in the 4x400m. Rivers was awarded the Gatorade Athlete of the Year in 2014 and 2015. 

Hannah Debalsi, Staples, Class of 2016

You can’t mention Danae Rivers without linking her to Hannah Debalsi. Both broke the CT record in the 1600m their sophomore year, with Debalsi only .05 seconds behind, with a time of 4:47.50. When Debalsi moved up to her better event, the 3200m she had to face FCIAC foe Claire Howlett. That pair traded state records in the event with Debalsi eventually owning the 3200m record with her time of 10:10.26 in winning the New England race in her freshman year. The next year Debalsi became the only CT girl to go under 10 minutes for the 2-mile when she was second at the Brooks PR Invitational with a time of 9:55.05. Debalsi won three State Open titles during outdoor track and would have won more except she was second in several record setting races. Debalsi won the 2-mile at New Balance Nationals in 10:09.08 in 2014 and was All American two other times including when she helped Staples to a runner-up finish that set the CT state record of 11:46.20 in the distance medley relay at the 2014 NBNO meet. 

Jessica Drop, Coginchaug, Class of 2016

Jessica Drop hit her stride as a senior after progressively building her resume in the 1600m and 3200m that saw her win the Class S title that she followed with her personal record of 4:48.29 to win the Open and a runner-up at New Englands in 4:49.47. But her best performances came in the longer distance as she won the New England 3200m in 10:17.54 that she followed with her 4th place in 2-mile at the New Balance Nationals in 10:19.85. Both times remain as the CT #3 all-time marks and helped cement her award as the Gatorade Athlete of the Year. When Drop moved up to the 1600m as a junior she ran to a win at the Class S meet that she followed with a bronze medal at the Open and a silver medal at New Englands with a 4:55.34 effort. Drop started her career as Class S 800m champion as a sophomore and medalist in the Open.

Brittany Jones, Bloomfield, Class of 2017

Brittany Jones won both the shot put and discus at the Class S state meet in her senior season, leading the Warhawks to the state championships as a team. Jones hurled the shot put to the existing Class S meet-record 45 feet, 10.75 inches, and launched the discus 138-3. Jones also won the shot put at the State Open championships and placed second in both the discus and shot put at the New England Championships. Jones’ personal best effort of 47-6.5 in the shot put at the Middletown Invite is ranked as the CT #2 all time. Jones also won the CIAC Open hammer throw with the existing meet record toss of 162-2. That outstanding collection of performances gained her recognition as Gatorade Athlete of the Year. Jones’ best event as a junior was the shot put where she earned silver medals at the Class S, Open and New England meets.

Patricia Mroczkowski, Berlin, Class of 2019

In the greatest performance of her career Patricia Mroczkowski finally cleared 5-10 at the 88th Greater Hartford Invitational to tie the Connecticut state record after. Mroczkowski lofty heights were attained her senior year that earned her wins at the Class M and New England championships and a runner-up at the Open. During her career, Mroczkowski was a consistent performer during her career clearing at least 5 feet 7 inches no fewer than six times that included three State Open titles and two runner-up finishes in the high jump. 

Chloe Scrimgeour, Conard, Class of 2021

Chloe Scrimgeour was one of those athletes where you can only imagine what else could have been for if the 2020 season wasn’t canceled due to COVID since her senior season resulted in several CT all-time performances. The Georgetown bound senior was a dual force in both the 1600m and 3200m while running undefeated in the 3200m with a personal best of 10:15.45 (CT#2 all-time) at the Class L meet before winning the Open in 10:21.61. Since the New Englands were canceled that year, Scrimgeour ended her career with a 2nd place at the East Coast Championships in the 1600m in 4:46.46, the state record prior to this year. Scrimgeour capped her career in July with a 3rd place in the 2-mile at the Brooks PR Invitational in 10:06.22 that remains as the second fastest time in CT history.

Alanna Smith, Danbury, Class of 2022

The daughter of Baseball Hall of Famers Lee Smith, Alanna Smith is sure to be a future member of her school’s Hall of Fame herself. Started her career as an Open and New England champion in the 400m while also earning bronze medals in the 100m and 200m. Smith’s sophomore year was negated due to Covid although there were no New Englands her junior year, she swept the 100m, 200m and 400m to lead her team to the Open title. Smith set her personal bests in the 100m of 11.95 (CT #9 All Time), the 200m 24.09 (CT #3 All Time) and the 400m 54.46 (CT #5 All Time). Smith earned All American status with her 5th place at New Balance Nationals in the 400m after she had won the Open title in the 200m and the New England titles in the 100m and 200m. 

Mariella Schweitzer, Joel Barlow, Class of 2022

Mariella Schweitzer sped to the State Open championship title in the 100m hurdles, 300m hurdles and heptathlon in her junior year. Schweitzer tied the CT state and State Open record in the 300m hurdles with her time of 43.18 in that same season. Her senior year, despite a slight hamstring strain, Schweitzer repeated as Open champion in the 300m hurdle and was second in the 100m hurdles that helped her team to a runner-up finish before finishing as a silver medalist at New Englands. Schweitzer also earned All New England honors in the 300m hurdles as a freshman before Covid eliminated her sophomore season. 

Shea Greene, Weston, Class of 2022

Threw javelin for the first time as a freshman and earned all state and all New England honors. Lost sophomore year to Covid but returned as a junior to break the CT state record and win the Open. As a senior, she went undefeated, breaking the Class M, State Open and New England meet records and then finished off her career with CT’s current state record of 161-6 at the American Javelin Fest. Also won the Class M title in the long jump her senior year. At the recent Olympic finals Greene finished 9th in the finals. 

Photo courtesy of John Nepolitan

Honorable Mention

Sprinters/ Hurdlers

Shantea Calhoun, 2004, Wilbur Cross - Won the 400m and 2nd in the 100m and 200m behind her sister at the State Open. Also part of the winning 4 x 100m her junior year. 

Natasha Harvey, 2005, Career Magnet - Open and New England champion in the 300IH and took gold at the Open and silver at New Englands in the 100HH and LJ. PR of 19-5.75 for the Open LJ is #4 all time and 14.22 hurdles is #10. Gatorade AOY.

Sashawna Stewart, 2006, Weaver - State Open and New England champion in the 4 x 100m and 100HH. She still has the #3 time in CT history in the hurdles at 14.08 (2.2 wind).

Shaniqua Burgess, 2008, Hillhouse - runner up at the Open in the 100m and 200m as a sophomore and 2nd in the 100m and won the 200m as a junior. Gatorade Athlete of the Year.

Shelby Walton, 2008, Danbury - State Open and New England champion in the 100m junior and senior years and 4 x 100m senior year with a PR of 11.96. Open runner up in the LJ.

Shellyann Lindo, 2012, Brien McMahon - New England 100m and 200m champion senior year and also made NEs three straight years.100m PR of 11.75 is #4 CT all time and 200m 24.27 is #9.

Gabrielle Curtis, 2016, Wilbur Cross - two time State Open champ in the 100HH with a lifetime best of 14.20. Scored in the State Open 300IH three straight years and won two 4x400m titles. 

Chelsea Mitchell, 2020, Canton - State Open and New England 100m champion her junior year with a wind aided PR of 11.67. 2nd place at NBNO EE with a PR of 19' 3.2, still #9 CT All Time. 

Tess Stapleton, 2021, Fairfield Ludlowe - State Open 100HH and LJ champ as a soph, broke the Open record in the hurdles. Only ran fresh/ soph year of outdoor track due to COVID and injury.

Sydney Segalla, 2022, Housatonic Valley - Less than a month is all it took to imprint her name on this list. Broke the Class S 100m, 200m and 400m record and also won the Open in the 200m and 400m, plus NE in the 400m. All American in 400m and won Gatorade Athlete of the Year. 

Distance

Chelsea Lenge, 2001, Conard - doubled as 1600m, 3200 Open champion junior year and repeated as 3200m champ as a senior. Won Gatorade Athlete of the Year.

Anna Shields, 2008, Lewis Mills - Won an Open title freshman, sophomore and junior years and pulled out a 1600m 3200 double in 111th grade when she won Gatorade Athlete of the Year. 

Meg Ryan, 2009, Fairfield Warde - Open 1600m champion junior year and runner up in the 3200m junior and senior year. Fourth at Nike Outdoor Nationals, Gatorade Athlete of the Year. 

Emily Philippides, 2018, Greenwich - won the State Open 800m title three straight years with a best of 2:10.82 which is still top 10 CT All Time. Also ran many strong relay legs.

Kate Wiser, 2021, Pomperaug - State Open 3200m champion freshman and sophomore years with a New England championship as a sophomore. Best of 10:21.24 which is still CT#5. 

Throws

Ellie Gravitte, 2013, Ridgefield - scored in the javelin all four years with three wins. Won New Englands junior and senior year and was 6th at NBNO her JR year. Broke CT state record with a throw of 152-7.

Taylor Drayton, 2014, Oxford - Open shot put champion junior year, 3rd in discus and won NBNO EE discus. Senior year won discus at the Open and New Englands and 2nd at Open and NE in discus. 

Amanda Howe, 2018, Southington - two time State Open discus champion and swept the Open shot and discus titles to help her team win the Open title. Also won two NE discus titles. Also won the CIAC hammer title and NBNO Emerging Elite. 

Kate Joyce, 2020, Weston - In one season of track she won the Open and New England javelin titles with a best of 149-7 she needed to get third at NBNO. No senior year due to Covid.

Leah Moore, 2020, Hillhouse - swept the State Open shot put, discus and hammer throws her senior year. Her 44-1 is #7 CT all time and her 164-2 hammer PR took 2nd at NSAF USA Meet of Champions broke the CT state record. 

Gabriela DeFelice, 2023, New Canaan - won the State Open discus and shot put championships with a 145-7 discus PR to win New Englands which is #4 all time in CT history. 

Jumpers/Vaulters

Megan Biscoglio, 2018, Southington - two time State Open pole vault champion and New England champ senior year. Her PR of 12-6 is the 4th best in state history. 

Ally Lewis, 2019, Norwich Free Academy - great duels in HJ with Patricia Mroczkowski. Won the Open, 2nd at New Englands, Best of 5-9 is #4 All Time. Also jumped over 19 ft in the LJ. 

Laniyah Henderson, 2023, Bloomfield - scored three years at the Open in the triple jump with a win senior year. Her best of 39-9.75 is the second best jump in CT history. 

Special Honorable Mention

We have a special circumstance for two athletes that attended prep schools in Connecticut but were among the best in the nation but did not compete for CIAC schools and never competed against other in-state athletes except at Nationals. 

Alexis Holmes, 2018, Cheshire Academy - Won NBNO in the 400m in 51.21 and finished 3rd in Prelims in 23.46 before taking 7th in finals. Gatorade Athlete of the Year. Competing in the 400m at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Sydney Masciarelli, 2021, Marianapolis Prep - won The Outdoor Nationals Presented by Nike 2000m steeplechase in 6:36.24 as a senior and the 2-mile (10:11.99) and 5k (16:16.20) double at NBNO her sophomore year. Twice Gatorade Athlete of the Year. 

In case you missed our previous CT Top 25 Outdoor Athletes since 2000:

CELEBRATING TOP 25 OUTDOOR TF MALE ATHLETES SINCE 2000 - PART 1

CELEBRATING TOP 25 MALE OUTDOOR TF ATHLETES SINCE 2000 - PART 2

CELEBRATING TOP 25 OUTDOOR TF FEMALE ATHLETES SINCE 2000 - PART 1

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