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Runners Gun for State Open Crowns

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. – Track and field athletes from Fairfield County will head to the Floyd Little Athletic Center in New Haven on Saturday for the State Open championships. Several teams are expected to be in contention for team honors, and many athletes are among the top seeds in their events.

Staples boys, the Class LL champion, are among the favorites for the team title. The Wreckers will be pushed by league rival Greenwich. On the girls side, Darien finished second in Class L while Greenwich was second in Class LL.

Individuals on the girls side to watch include Brien McMahon senior Shelly Lindo, who is the top seed in the 55-meter dash. Her seeded time of 7.12 is ranked 32nd in the country. Greenwich’s Abby Markowitz comes into the meet with the fastest time in the state in the 1,000, and the sixth in the 1,600. Greenwich is also seeded among the top four in three relays.

Staples’ pole vaulter Lexie Schachne also owns the state’s top mark. She finished second last year in the Open. Weston’s versatile Emily Savage is seeded in the Top 10 in the pole vault (fourth) and long jump (ninth). She is also listed to compete in the high jump.

Fairfield Warde’s Cate Allen, Darien’s Grace Loh, New Canaan’s Stephanie Benko and Westhill’s Claire Howlett are among the girls who could medal in middle distance and distance events. Staples will contend for medals in several relays.

Staples’ boys will attempt to win their first Open indoor title and have the top seed in three events. Henry Wynne is the No. 1 seed in the 1,000, and the 4 x 400 team and sprint medley team are also seeded first. Dean Hefnawy is the No. 2 seed in the pole vault.

Greenwich’s Marcu Motill is seeded first in the 300 and second in the 600. Fairfield Warde distance runner Harry Warnick, who won the 1,600 and 3,200 at the Class L meet, will try to do it again in those events at the Open.

Norwalk hurdler Adam Robertino is seeded No. 2 in the 55 hurdles in what should be a close race with Hillhouse’s Danielle Lewis.

In the relays, Motill leads a Greenwich 4 x 200 team that has earned the top seed. New Canaan, Fairfield Ludlowe and Darien also have highly seeded relay teams.

The complete seeds are available online. The Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference will also provide real-time results.

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