When Westhills Nicole Ambrosecchio stands on the starting line for Thursdays Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference cross country championships, she will feel the pull of different historical forces.
Ambrosecchio, a sophomore, will attempt to become the first girl from any Stamford school to win the FCIAC individual title. The last Stamford runner to win the FCIAC championship was Westhills Kevin King 30 years ago. Working in Nicoles favor is her coach, Ed Lane, who won the league championship for Rippowam in 1967, and her genetics. Her father, Mike, won the FCIAC indoor mile championship in 1976 for Westhill and enjoyed a solid track career at Southern Connecticut State University.
Nicole and her sister, Alison, an eighth-grader at Turn of River Middle School, started racing when they were little kids, their father said. From the outset, the girls have been running at the front of the pack. At that age, all you need to know is pacing, Mike said. If you pace yourself right, youll be in front. Alison is the defending Stamford Middle School Cross Country Champion, after placing second to her sister as a sixth-grader.
Nicole burst onto the scene last year with a seventh place finish in the league championship meet. She won one of the seasons marquee events this fall at the Wickham Invitational. Her only loss in FCIAC competition came against Fairfield Ludlowes Heather Moriarty in a meet on Oct. 13. Both runners figure to be in the individual chase for the championship at New Canaans Waveny Park on Thursday. I feel like Ive been working hard this season, Nicole says. Its going to be tough. Im going to try my best.
Regardless of Thursdays result, Nicoles steady progress has pleased her father, as a runner and as a parent. She focuses and is very goal-oriented, Mike says. Im very proud of the way shes progressing. I think shes just beginning to scratch the surface.
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