Thompson helps push Fairfield Prep through to CT Open

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

MANCHESTER -- It was all about the team Saturday at Wickham Park for Fairfield Prep's Drew Thompson.

The senior battled Cheshire's Brendan Murray throughout the grueling 5,000-meter course, clocking 15 minutes, 40 seconds to win the Connecticut Class LL divisional crown. Murray was second in 15:44.

"Today I just kind of wanted to get in and make sure the team qualified (for State Open)," Thompson said. "I wasn't super concerned about my self individually."

Thompson, No. 12 in the latest DyeStat rankings, clocked the 13th-fastest time on the course.  

"I definitely had to give a tough effort. Brendan put up a really good fight, and I was just able to kick it into that extra gear at the end," he said.

Staples regrouped from a runner-up finish at the Wickham Park Invitational to score 55 points and win the program's second straight LL title. Xavier was runner-up (103). The Wreckers placed three in the top 10.

In girls LL, Hall sophomore Jenna Zydanowicz clocked the second-best time of the day, running 19:03 to win her first divisional crown. Glastonbury girls won with 67 points.

In girls L, Wilton senior Morgan McCormick ran 18:19, the fastest time of the day among girls. While her time ranks No. 12 in Wickham Park course history, McCormick was hoping to go under 18.

"I actually wasn't very happy with my time, but I'm excited for next week," she said. "Our team did really well, just disappointed with my time."

Pomperaug's girls easily won the title with 37 points, while the Pomperaug boys made it a sweep scoring 74 points. Eli Nahom of New Milford won the L title (16:29).

In MM, Anthony Golino of New Fairfield won (16:57) the boys crown and Bethany Ottowitz of Watertown secured first in 19:31.

Sophomore Killian McNamee led Tolland boys to an M crown running 16:38 for first. Elizabeth Stockman, a sophomore of Rocky Hill, ran 19:46 to win.

Canton senior Maximillian Sparks won the SS boys crown (16:26), while Somers' Kylie Raymond (19:32) won the girls.

In S, Derby's Ken Little Jr. became the first runner in 39 years to win a divisional title for the program. The senior ran 16:59 to win. Junior Angela Saidman guided Immaculate to a girls team title, running 19:41 to win. 

Team Championships

Boys LL - Staples 55 points

Girls LL - Glastonbury 67 points

Boys L - Pomperaug 74 points

Girls L - Pomperaug 37 points

Boys MM - East Lyme 60 points

Girls MM - Avon 39 points

Boys M - Tolland 41 points

Girls M - Nonnewaug 94 points

Boys SS - Haddam-Killingworth 39 points

Girls SS - Haddam-Killingworth 72 points

Boys S -  Lyman Memorial 57 points

Girls S - Immaculate 39 points