Darien's Ostberg Captures State Open Cross Country Crown

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. -- Staples High’s Hannah DeBalsi and Darien High’s Alex Ostberg won individual championships and the Danbury boys led a Fairfield County sweep of the top three places in team scoring at Friday’s State Open cross country championships at Wickham Park in Manchester.

Staples' Hannah DeBalsi won her second straight State Open title Friday at Wickham Park in Manchester.
Photo Credit: *Staplesrunning.com*

Staples' Hannah DeBalsi, left, and Darien's Alex Ostberg won State Open cross country titles on Friday.
Photo Credit: *Contributed*

Tom Renner

10/31/2014 4:20 p.m.

Ostberg won in 14:58 on the 5-kilometer course, beating Ari Klau of Hall High School by 36 seconds. DeBalsi became the 10th girl to win consecutive Open titles with a time of 17:59, setting a course record.

Danbury’s boys finished with 83 points, followed by Ridgefield (94) and Staples (109). It was the first Open tile for the Hatters since 2008. Ridgefield was the defending Open champion.

Ostberg stayed unbeaten on the season in winning the boys race. Wilton’s Spencer Brown finished third in 15:38, while Austin Gilbert of Ridgefield was fifth. Darien’s Armstrong Noonan was sixth, Gabe Altoop of Ridgefield took seventh, Danbury’s Eric Waterman was eighth and Eric Van der Els of Brien McMahon was ninth.

Danbury’s team was comprised of Waterman, Ryan Ansel, Corey Mullins, Ryan Fox, Jack Adamski, Terrell Cunningham and Tim Moore. Danbury’s top five runners were separated by just 16 seconds. Ridgefield’s top five were separated by 1:12.

In the girls race, Darien’s Anne Johnston finished sixth, and Wilton’s Mary Lynch was 10th.

Staples took third, with Darien coming in fifth and Ridgefield finishing sixth. Tolland won the girls title.

Complete results are online.

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