The state's top runners, throwers and jumpers will be in action Monday at New Britain's Willowbrook Park for the State Open track and field meet. Several races will be of particular interest to Main Street Connect communities whose athletes are top seeds.
One of the races with the most interest will be the boys 3,200 meters, where Fairfield Prep's Connor Rog is the top seed. Fairfield Warde's Harry Warnick, Weston's Stephen Vento, Wilton's Tim Becker and Staples' Ben Aldrich are also in the top 14.
The boys' team to watch will be Staples, which is seeded first in the 4 x 400 relay and third in the 4 x 800 relay. Raphael Ray is the top seed in the 400, in which he ran 47.99 in last week's Class LL meet and broke a 27-year-old record. Henry Wynne, a sophomore, is seeded third in the 1,600 in what should be one of the marquee races of the day.
Among the other races to watch on the boys side are the 100, in which Westhill's Dillin Smith is seeded seventh; the 800, with Weston's David Stankiewicz; the 100 hurdles, with Norwalk's Adam Robertino; the 4 x 100 relay, in which Greenwich is the top seed; the 4 x 800 relay, in which Staples, Fairfield Prep and New Canaan are among the top seven seeds; the pole vault (Wilton's Ned Hemerle, Saples' Dean Hefnawy) and shot put and discus, in which Wilton's Jesse Socci could contend for a top-five finish.
The girls event in which Main Street Connect athletes should fare well is the pole vault. Darien's Elizabeth Crafford, Staples' Lexie Schachne and Weston's Erica Litvak and Emily Savage are among the top seven seeds.
Brien McMahon speedster Shelly Lindo is seeded sixth in the 100 and 12th in the 200. Other races to watch include the 800, in which Greenwich's Abby Markowitz is seeded fourth and Darien's Megan Keane fifth; the 3,200, in which New Canaan's Caroline Murray and Stephanie Benko are seeded fourth and fifth; the 4 x 400 relay, in which Greenwich, Darien and Staples are seeded among the top 10; and the 4 x 800 relay, in which Greenwich and Staples are seeded 2-3.
The meet begins at 1:30 p.m. Results will be available on www.casciac.org.
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