Pomperaug Sophomore Blows Away Field at State Open Cross Country

MANCHESTER, CT — Several tight battles and a runaway victory marked the State Open cross country championships Thursday at Wickham Park.

Team competition was fierce in the girls race, with Danbury emerging with 115 points to edge city rival Immaculate by a single point. Ridgefield was third with 160 points.

Kate Wiser of Pomperaug, who dusted the MM field at the class meet last week by a minute and nine seconds, won by nearly a full minute, crossing the finish line 59 seconds ahead of runner-up Claire Daniels of New Milford in 17:59. Her winning time at the Open was 33 seconds faster than in her MM triumph. Mari Noble of Greenwich was third.

On the boys' side, Xavier placed three runners in the top 10 to easily win the team division with 75 points. Hall's 121 points edged Tolland by a single point for second, while Staples was just one point back of the Eagles to wind up fourth.

The fastest boy and girl from last week's class meets at Wickham repeated their winning performances. Eli Nahom of New Milford bettered his Class L winning time by a second, covering the 3.1 mile course in 15:54 to best Gavin Sherry of Conard by 10 seconds. Robbie Cozean of Xavier placed third.

Here are the top two teams and top 12 individuals from each race. Click the headers for complete results from all schools.

GIRLS

Teams

1. Danbury, 115
2. Immaculate, 116

Individuals

1. Kate Wiser, Pomperaug, 17:59
2. Claire Daniels, New Milford
3. Mari Noble, Greenwich
4. Kathryn Rodrigues, Wolcott
5. Jenna Zydanowicz, Hall
6. Elizabeth Stockman, Rocky Hill
7. Lauren Moore, Danbury
8. Gabriella Viggiano, Ridgefield
9. Tess Pisanelli, Ridgefield
10. Alessandra Zaffina, Trumbull
11. Kate Hedlund, Manchester
12. Meredith Bloss, Guilford

BOYS

Teams

1. Xavier, 75
2. Hall, 121

Individuals

1. Eli Nahom, New Milford, 15:54
2. Gavin Sherry, Conard
3. Robbie Cozean, Xavier
4. Trey Cormier, Hall
5. Pete Schulten, Xavier
6. Eddie Nicholas, Nonnewaug
7. Azaan Dawson, Fairfield Prep
8. Miller Anderson, Hall
9. Dillon Selfors, Xavier
10. Travis Martin, Wilbur Cross
11. Andrew Malling, New Canaan
12. Robert Dillon, Shelton

Photo credits: Tim Jensen

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