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

The 2025 CIAC Girls State Open Outdoor Track and Field Championship has arrived. On Saturday morning (field: 9:30am, track: 10am) the top teams and individuals will descend to Veterans Park in Willow Brook Park in New Britain to compete against the best in the state from each class meet. In addition to the team competition, athletes are seeking to become State Open champions in individual events as well as finishing in the top six places in order to qualify for the New England Championships back in New Britain next Saturday. Many are also chasing a new personal record or a season best. MSR takes a look at some of the top contenders in the chase for the individual and team titles. 

ENTRIES AND LIVE RESULTS

MEET RECORDS

Team Competition

Bloomfield seems to have a formula for success. They have won 15 of the past 16 Class titles and six State Open crowns since 2012, including the past two. They go after what they are good at, which is the sprints, hurdles, jumps, throws and relays. Well, basically everything except the distance events and pole vault. Each graduating class sets a standard that the next class wants to beat and the WarHawks seem to be in their glory days right now. They have 14 potential point scorers covering ten events who are seeded in the top eight. Glastonbury has six areas covered, but most of them in the distance event which are notoriously hard to duplicate from the Class to the Open due to the increased competition and shorter recovery time between events. Class LL champions Greenwich has nine events covered and most of them seeded 6th through 8th. They could either get bumped out of the scoring entirely or move up a great deal if their 7th seeds finish 5th. Seven time Class L champion Windsor also has a well balanced attack and could also be in the hunt for a top two finish as they have some expected scorers in eight events. 

Individual Track Events

100m

State Open Record: 11.72, Terry Miller, Bulkeley Hartford 2018

Defending Champion: Lauren Kropo, Naugatuck 11.89

Naugatuck’s Lauren Kropo is up for the ultimate challenge. She is trying to sweep the three sprinting events at the State Open against talented fields. She comes in as the top seed in the 100m with her 12.00 winning performance from the Class L championships and she has the state’s fastest time of 11.91. She will have to dig deep if she wants to win her first event of the day. Lyme Old Lyme’s Zoe Eastman-Grossel has greatly improved in the flat sprints since last year and Saphyr Brown will be trying to score big points in Bloomfield’s title quest. Also never count out Manchester’s Samiya Eady who has gone undefeated this season and has the state’s 2nd fastest time all season.

200m

State Open Record: 24.17 Terry Miller, Bulkeley Hartford 2018

Top Returner: Paige Wilson, Windsor 24.91

Kropo’s hardest event of the day is the 200m where she comes in as the 4th seed. She will once again face Eady, who is the top seed, running 24.46, the 16th fastest time in state history. If that isn’t enough competition she will also have to look out for Brown of Bloomfield and Shanez De Roche of Hamden who was 2nd in Class LL behind Eady. Paige Wilson, who was 5th last year is the top returner where she ran 24.91. This is an incredibly deep field that could see several girls go under 25 seconds.

400m

State Open Record: 53.16 Precious Holmes, Hillhouse New Haven 2011

Top Returner: Lauren Kropo, Naugatuck 56.27

Naugatuck’s Lauren Kropo is also the top seed in the 400m at 55.51 but her biggest battle just might be against fatigue. If she makes the 100m final, she will only have two heats of the girls 400m before she will have to line up against Windsor’s Paige Wilson at 56.07, and Tamia Chapman of Plainville at 56.54, right on her heels. No one other than Kropo has gone under 56 seconds this season, so this just might be a battle against herself. 

800m

State Open Record: 2:07.19 Liz Mueller, Waterford 1992

Top Returner: Sarah Roberts, Mercy 2:12.79

Sarah Roberts won three events for team points as the Tigers once again finished 2nd to Hillhouse in the Class MM championship. The only race she ran hard was the 800m which gives you an indication this is the event she will focus on at the State Open. She comes in with the state’s 2nd fastest time of 2:10.44 and if she doesn’t have any events in front of her, she could improve upon that time. The big question is what will Glastonbury’s Brooke Strauss and Conard’s Liv Sherry do? Stauss also pulled off the distance triple and her team will try to challenge Bloomfield for the team championship. They will both probably give each other everything they have in the 1600m like they did at the Class LL championship when they went down to the wire in both races. A fast early pace could also pull several girls into season best times such as Greenwich’s Eliana Daplyn,Gemma Hardwick and Margaret McCooe who are the next best seeds but will probably be coming back from the 4x800m where they have the top seed. Never count out runners from the previous heats in the 800m because there is a lot of history of winners of heat one and two placing in the top eight.

1600m

State Open Record: 4:47.43 Katherine Bohlke, Newington 2024

Top Returner: Chase Gilbert, Lyme-Old Lyme 4:50.34

Strauss and Sherry are also entered as #1 (4:54.40) and #2 (4:54.98) in the 1600m, with Lyme-old Lyme’s Chase Gilbert behind in third at 4:59.40. All eyes will be on the clock as they chase last year's record of 4:47.43, set by Newington’s Katherine Bohlke in a memorable performance that made its mark on the track. Strauss was the New Balance National Champion this indoor season and set the CT state record of 4:39.88 at the Bay State Running Elite Mile in May. She knows how to handle pressure situations but more importantly has a dangerous 5th gear over the last 80m of the race that is hard to beat. Gilbert is one of the few girls who have defeated Strauss over any distance. In the indoor State Open 1600m she went out hard and put a great deal of distance over Strauss which she couldn’t make up, breaking Strauss’ state record in the 1600m in the process. While all eyes will be on these three runners up front, there are several girls who will be trying to get under 5 minutes including Alexandra Morgan of Fairfield Warde, Lauren Parrett of Glastonbury and Maya Donzella of Windsor who has already done it once this year at CCCs.

3200m

State Open Record: 10:20.03, Claire Howlett, Westhill Stamford 2013

Top Returner: Annecy Vlieks, Daniel Hand 11:15.28

Strauss also looks to take the 3200m, returning to the event in the top spot at 10:55.54 with her fellow Footlocker National finalist Gilbert entered as well. Teammate Parrett follows at 10:56.59, and the two are expected to bring in some points for Glastonbury in this event like they did at the Class LL meet where they went 1-2. Greenwich freshman Sophie Passalacqua has been very close to Parrett, who is in the same grade, several times this year and has not beaten her yet. But there is an old saying in running that if you race long enough, you will beat everyone and everyone will beat you. Could Saturday be the day Passalacqua comes out on top in their budding rivalry or will it have to wait down the line? Either way the pair will likely provide plenty of excitement over the next three years for fans of Connecticut track and field. Sarah Bogden of Staples has developed into a championship level runner as evident from her FCIAC championship over Passalacqua and her 4th place finish at Class LL. Hand’s Annecy Vlieks has returned from an injury during indoor track and was 7th last year at the Open and will be trying to move up a few places. 

100m hurdles

State Open Record: 13.70 Leonaya Knox, Hillhouse New Haven 2024

Top Returner: D'Asia Duncan, Bloomfield 14.15

After placing second in last year’s 100m hurdles, All American heptathlete D’Asia Duncan of Bloomfield returns to the track as a force to be reckoned with, top seeded at 14.17 Jordyn Williams of Windsor takes the #2 spot at 14.83, with Joel Barlow’s Phoebe Cora Smith hot on her heels at 14.95. Duncan’s teammate Vanessa Agyemang was the indoor 55m hurdles State Open champion and will be looking to score points in her team’s quest to repeat as champions. Fans should keep an eye on this event for what is destined to be a high-pressure race with minimal separation between top performers.

300m hurdles

State Open Record: 42.02 Kareema McKenzie, Windsor 2024

Top Returner: D'Asia Duncan, Bloomfield 44.04

There is a big battle on the horizon in this race as Duncan is the top returner and was New England champion last year and defeated state record holder Kareema McKenzie to do it. This year Duncan has a new person to push her as Lyme Old Lyme’s Zoe Eastman-Grossel has run a 42.23 to take over Duncan’s spot at #2 on the CT all time list. We should all be on record watch as McKenzie’s meet and CT state record could go down. Not to be underestimated is Phoebe Cora Smith of Joel Barlow who keeps dropping times as the competition gets tougher, and Agyemang who is looking to add more points to her team’s title defense. 

4x100m Relay

State Open Record: 46.62 Danbury 

Defending Champion: Windsor 47.36

To win a State Open title you have to first get to the meet. Windsor took over the state lead from their next door neighbor Bloomfield to take the CCC crown. Fans were looking for another showdown, but Bloomfield was forced to scratch this event at the Class S championships due to discipline issues with some of their relay members. But now the Warriors will have to face Hamden who comes in as the top seed based on their 47.96 win at the Class LL meet. Hillhouse showed a great deal of determination coming from way behind to win the Class MM meet. But don’t overlook Manchester with Eady on their anchor. She can walk down some pretty good runners if she is close and elevate her team. 

4x400m Relay

State Open Record: 3:48.20 Bloomfield

Defending Champion: Bloomfield 3:48.20

Bloomfield took down Windsor’s meet record last year but just missed their CT state record of 3:47.16. With their entire line up returning from last year with some new additions, that record has to be a target over the next three weeks. Top seeded Greenwich and 3rd seeded Glastonbury will be in the hunt for a State Open plaque so it just might come down to this relay. Windsor has also gone under four minutes and Manchester, Windsor, Hillhouse, Avon and Woodstock aren’t far behind. An event that throws together sprinters, distance runners and jumpers, it is a truly unifying event. In the words of NFHS Network broadcaster Tom Felice, “there may be a lot wrong with this world, but ending a track meet with the 4x400m relay is not one of them.”

4x800m Relay

State Open Record: 9:10.65 Glastonbury

Defending Champion: Glastonbury 9:17.67

The battles between Greenwich and Glastonbury in the 4x800m have been going on for nearly a decade. They have been trading championships and even state records in the event and both programs take great pride in it. Greenwich has the edge right now based upon their six second Class LL victory over the Guardians. But at the State Open, a team can easily make up that difference with a little increased competition. Windsor likes to get out hard in this relay so they will likely pull the field along and Trumbull has a young squad that has a lot of upside. But getting into New Englands will be tough as there are always teams that pull people from individual events and put them into this relay for the Open which means it could take a sub 9:40 to make the regional meet next week. 

Shot Put

State Open Record: 49-04 Tynisha McMillan, Stamford 2006

Top Returner: Payton Sirdine, Bloomfield 39-08.00

Sacred Heart Academy’s Maya Quaranta suggests domination in this year’s shot put, seeded with the only throw above 40, at 43-6 from the Class meets. She has admirably climbed the ranks since last year’s State Open where she placed 5th at 37-10. But keep an eye on East Hartford’s Bryanna Boroze who has also gone over 40 feet twice this season with a best of 43-1.5 to win CCCs. Woodstock Academy’s Avery Plouffe also shows significant improvement as she takes the #2 ranking at 39-1 after throwing 34-04.75 in 2024. Bloomfield’s Payton Sirdine is the top returner from last year and has consistently thrown in the upper 30 foot range with a best of 40-03.5 from indoor track.

Discus

State Open Record: 142-08 Jamie Crowley, Plainville 2002

Top Returner: Maya Quaranta, Sacred Heart Academy 122-08

Plainville’s Nevaeh Dailey enters the discus competition hoping to take gold, leading the field with a top-seeded throw of 133-11. This impressive mark puts significant distance between her and the rest of the competition. Woodstock Academy’s Lillian Morgis follows as the number two seed at 125-8, while Bloomfield’s Payton Sirdine rounds out the top three and has a season best of 132-5 from her winning throw at CCCs. One other dark horse is New Canaan’s Lauren Smith who was Class L champion in all three events. With Dailey’s commanding lead and solid throws across the board, the event promises standout competition from within the cage. 

Javelin

State Open Record: 154-00 Shea Greene, Weston 2021

Defending Champion: Lauren Smith, New Canaan 129-03

Alis Oberg of Windsor Locks returns to the javelin competition as the top seed with an impressive PR of 124-4 to win the Class S championships. Her growth over the past year is notable, having placed 10th in last year's competition with a throw of 108-0. Close behind is Woodstock Academy’s Isabel D-Alleva-Bochain, seeded second with a distance of 122-2, while Emily Yurcisin of Brookfield who was out last year with an injury, holds the third seed at 121-8. Alexis Banks is next in a long line of great Weston javelin throwers is the state leader in the event with a throw of 136-6. Never count out defending champion Lauren Smith of New Canaan who was Class L champion and has a season best of 124-02. 

High Jump

State Open Record: 5-0, Mary Kennen, Danbury 1983

Top Returner: Eloise Mulready, Glastonbury 5-02.00

This year’s high jump is led by Ellington’s Jenna Luoma and Thomaston’s Gwyneth Romanzi, who share the top seed with clearances of 5-2. Last year’s bronze medalist Eloise Mulready of Glastonbury is tied with the state’s best jump of 5-06 with Ayden Darvil of Suffield. Several jumpers follow closely behind at 5-0, a height matched by eight other athletes, setting the stage for a tightly contested event where every attempt will count. 

Pole Vault

State Open Record: (tied): 12-06 Emily Savage (Weston) 2013 Megan Biscoglio (Southington) 2018 Jordan Carr (Joel Barlow) 2024 Talia Graham (Bethel) 2024 Lily Gilbert (Norwich Free Academy) 2024

Defending Champion: Jordan Carr, Joel Barlow 12-06

Amity’s Liliana Quill leads the pole vault entries with a top mark of 11-8 from her winning jump at the Class L meet. She will face off against defending champion Jordan Carr who has gone over 12-6 eight times in her life. But she was upset by freshman Kaylin Diglio of Guilford at the Class MM championships based on misses after both cleared 11-6. Southington’s Megan Kasica has greatly improved the past few weeks winning the CCCs at 11 feet and the Class LL at 11-6. The Montville duo of Brenna LaBranche and Kamryn Plikus have both gone over 11 feet as well this season. With such a tightly packed leaderboard, fans should stay attuned since the event promises a riveting battle for podium places. 

Long Jump

State Open Record: 19-09 Kiera Stewart, East Hartford 2024

Top Returner: Saphyr Brown, Bloomfield 17-10.00

Bloomfield’s Vanessa Agyemang has improved greatly since she transferred from Classical Magnet and is the top seed with an impressive mark of 18-1, followed by teammate Saphyr Brown at 17-5, making it a strong showing for their squad. Branford’s Ella Stone is close behind with a jump of 17-3, setting the stage for a tight contest with Bloomfield’s Taylor Jackson hoping to take a 1-2-3 sweep of the event like they did in indoor track. All eyes will remain on the runway as the athletes aim to push their limits and edge closer to Kiera Stewart’s outstanding leap of 19-09, which set the State Open record at last year’s competition. 

Triple Jump

State Open Record: 39-03.5, Nicole Toney, (Conard, West Hartford) 1999 and Laniyah Henderson (Hillhouse, New Haven) 2023 

Top Returner: Sabra Dewar, Plainville 37-11.50

The triple jump competition is shaping up to be a close one, with Sheehan’s recent school record holder Hope Obremski leading at 36-9. Manchester’s Iyanna Sheets follows just an inch behind at 36-8, while North Haven’s Stella Shaw is right in the mix with a mark of 35-11.5. With distances this tight, every phase of the jump will count in determining who comes out on top.

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