By Associate Correspondent Brynn Sherry, Senior Correspondent Marty Ogden, Editing and Graphics by Ron Knapp

RESULTS 

RECORDS

Girls Championship Highlights

The girls of Lyme-Old Lyme ran and threw their way to another title in Monday’s competition, with a commanding 89 points, while there was a tight battle for second between Canton who scored 41 and Windsor Locks taking third with 38. The day’s performances brought no shortage of memorable moments as athletes embraced the pressure of competition, and showed what the culmination of hard work and dedication can achieve both on the track and in the field.

Photo courtesy of CIAC

It seems every week, someone from LOL has been breaking school records this season. They are led by 1976 Olympian Jan Merrill-Morin and her husband Jeff. “We share the responsibilities and get to talk about the team over the dinner table. But all credit goes to the captains, Tabitha (Colwell) and Kate (Walsh) who are all tremendous leaders. They are so positive with the girls and set a tremendous attitude for the team.”

Lyme-Old Lyme’s hurdle champion Zoe Eastman-Grossel set a new record in the 300m hurdles with an impressive time of 44.27, outrunning the previous record held by Jessica Starr of East Hampton at 44.84. Previously Eastman-Grossel also took the 100m (12.05) and then completed her day winning the 200m (25.38) proving herself to be an incredibly strong and versatile athlete across events. This will set up a battle between herself and Bloomfield’s D’Asia Duncan who broke the Class M record with both going under 43 seconds in the 300 hurdles this season. 

Adding to Lyme-Old Lyme’s growing point total, Chase Gilbert also established herself as a multi-champion in this competition. Gilbert claimed the 1600m at 4:59.40, the 800m at 2:22.50, and lastly, the 3200m with a time of 11:16.05. This was more of a workout for the junior as she ran controlled in all three events while being pursued by runner-up Hazel Delucia of Lyman Memorial for most of the 3200m race. 

Teammate Margaret Thuma dominated the discus with a throw of 98-05, establishing herself as the top competitor, with Putnam’s Eliana Ionkin and Mariella Lukasik of East Windsor both tossed 91-11 with Ionkin taking the silver with the next best mark of 90-05 to 89-02 for Lukasik.

Monday’s meet started with the 4x800m relay that was claimed by Hale Ray, whose lightning fast team ran 9.57.13 to earn a new spot as CT’s #13. The girls who were crowned as champions included Sara Evans, Julie Anderson, Anastasia Kushnir, and Elyanna Sorey. Their season best broke their school record by 50 seconds. 

As predicted, top seeded Alis Oberg of Windsor Locks took gold in the javelin with a personal best throw of 124-04, blowing her previous best out of the water by 8 feet. Morgan’s Destiny Rehberg took a notable second place at 106-01, making her and Oberg the only two athletes in the event to surpass 100 feet. 

This competition’s pole vault brought a powerhouse lineup of athletes to the field. The highly anticipated title was claimed by Lyman Memorial’s Laurelin Boyer, who soared to clear 10 feet. Derby’s Lynnette Martinez fought hard for second, clearing 9 feet, while Molly Merritt (Stafford) and Abigail Rockwell (Windsor Locks) tied for 3rd place at 8-06. With the consistency that brought them to the top, these girls held their ground and secured their spots as the best performers in the event.

Senior Gyneth Romanzi of Thomaston returned to the high jump motivated for another win as the top seeded athlete. She refused to let the pressure shake her and claimed victory once again, clearing 5-2. In a close battle for second place, Portland’s Peny Christensen and Canton’s Lucy O’Connor tied at 5 feet. Both athletes promise immeasurable potential as jumpers, with 2 more years to continue writing their stories. 

Other winners in the girls championship included:

4x100m Relay - Classical Magnet, Naomi Roman, Tania Turner, Agnes Ahima, Jayda Streater-Jackson - 50.84 season best

4x400m Relay - Coginchaug, Aaliyah Watson, Estella Perez, Jane Waterman, Sophie Farr - 4:09.44

100m Hurdles - Christianne Persson, Shepaug Valley - 15.27

400m - Danielle Wheeler, Coventry - 58.50 personal record

Shot Put - Cameron Place, Windham Tech - 34-05.00

Long Jump - Gabriella McDermott, North Branford - 16-07.00 personal record

Triple Jump - Annika Morange, Lauralton Hall - 34-01.00

Boys Championship Highlights

Bloomfield boys came away with their 4th straight Class S championship on Monday at Willowbrook to match their girls’ team accomplishment the night before by defeating Portland by a score of 129-63 with Derby taking 3rd with 46. When asked how his team handled the pressure as the favorite, Bloomfield coach Garfield White told his team to “just do your job. A lot of times kids come to this meet and they put extra pressure on themselves. Just do what you have been doing all season, have fun and enjoy each other's company.” 

Photo courtesy of CIAC

White mentioned the sacrifice Jaheim Lawrence made for his team. He is well known as a 400m runner, winning the CCCs in a time of 48.56, the #2 time in the state. “We made a promise to the other three legs of the 4x800m that if their times come down to a certain point Jaheim was going to join the team.” He led off the team and they finished 2nd overall to give them 8 important points. It cost the senior some time in the 400m where he took 3rd [and] in the 4x400m but he did what he needed to do for his team.” Lawrence returned and joined Jessie Singleton Jr., Delante Senior and Tri-kel Delaire to the state title in the 4x400m in a time of 3:22.74, earning a ticket to the All State Track and Field Banquet on Wednesday, June 18th at the Aqua Turf in Southington. Singleton’s busy day also included a gold medal leap in the triple jump with an effort of 46-03.25.

The Warhawks continued their relay success with a season best time to win the 4x100m in 42.90 with the quartet of Tacqori Jackson, Zakyi Kimber, Tri-kel Delaire and Zion Banton that added a quick 10 points as they jumped out to a 20 point margin over all the other teams.

Defending champion Delante Senior of Bloomfield upheld his title and set a new record in the 110m hurdles at 14.10, surpassing the previous record by Edward Willams of Sacred Heart (14.28) from 2019. Senior reaffirmed his position as a top performer, reminding everyone exactly why he was a top seeded athlete. Anticipation builds for the State Open on Saturday as a showdown is set. Senior is poised to compete against Davian Johnson, the Class LL champion. Both athletes have secured Class titles and remarkably, both have achieved times below 14 seconds this season.

The 300m hurdles brought another exciting record by Coginchaug’s Charles Dalles, whose time of 38.11 replaced Keith Wilson of Canton’s old record of 39 seconds set in 2014, and earned him gold. Dallas had been third seed in this event, making this thrilling performance an unforgettable moment that also tied him with the Class LL champion Davian Johnson as CT’s #1 this season. Also under Wilson’s previously held record were Javon Stigler of Stafford in 38.26, and Bloomfield’s Delante Senior in 39.00. Each of these athletes left a mark on the race in their own way, proving that true success can take on many forms, as it did in this event.

Hale Ray’s Matthew Krazewski stood his ground as the top seed in the 1600m and claimed victory with a time of 4:27.87 that not only was his PR but gave him another S title in addition to one in the 3200m from 2023. Everett Miller of Old Saybrook followed in second at 4:29.88, which set a new personal record.

Junior Joseph DeLuise of Oxford dominated the 3200m at 9.25.4 in a special moment that marked a new personal record, and ranked him #11 in CT. The Wolverine used his normal front running strategy to run away from the field to defend his title. 

Portland’s Samuel LaMalfa left today’s competition as a multi-champion, taking both the 400m at 48.20, and the 200m at 21.64. Notre Dame Prep’s Jamal Joseph made the 200m an extremely tight finish, coming in behind LaMalfa at 21.87, making the pair the only two to finish under 22 seconds. 

The top 3 spots in today’s pole vault produced a rare tie as Spencer Masterson (Portland), Sebastian Amaya (Derby), and Michael Bellemare (East Hampton) all soared to clear 12 feet. In a show of true sportsmanship Masterson and Amaya agreed to tie for the win. The rules offer a jump off to determine 1st place, but the pair elected to share the title between them. Perhaps they will share desserts after dinner at the All State Banquet as well. 

As predicted, junior Khile Francis of Bloomfield took the shot put title with a winning toss of 51-04.5 As the #2 top seed, Lyme-Old Lyme’s Tyler Cann promised a close competition and did not disappoint, securing second place with a strong toss of 51-02.5. It was the WarHawk’s 4th Class S title between indoor and outdoor track as he always seems to step-up with his performances on the big stage when the opportunity presents itself. 

Francis also contributed second place points in the discus win a tightly contested duel with eventual winner Zane Baton of St. Bernard, only 2 inches separated him from Baton’s gold medal toss of 157-00.

With no shortage of personal bests and memorable performances, today’s competition was a reflection and celebration of these athletes, who continue to push their limits with each season.

Other winners in the boys championship included:

4x800m Relay - Bolton, Dominic Lombardo, Nathan Adkins, Shepard Livingston, Davin Duffy - 8:09.60 season best

100m finals - Quincy Carter, Derby, 11.08 ( a PR in prelims of 11.02)

800m - Evan LoPresti, East Hampton - 1:59.79

Javelin - Liam McGuire, Oxford - 153-00 personal record

High Jump - Ethan Rowe, Bloomfield - 6-02.00

Long Jump - Patrick Lynch, Lyme-Old Lyme - 22-05.5

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