Conard, Somers, Ridgefield, New Milford Runners Win At State Open

Manchester CT

05 November, 2021

4:50 PM

Description

MANCHESTER, CT — The State Open cross country championships at Wickham Park were a contrast between the boys and girls races. An expected 3-runner showdown in the boys race added a fourth athlete to the drama, while a girl from one of the smaller towns in the state blew away the field. Brothers Gavin and Callum Sherry of Conard dueled with Manchester's Aidan Puffer, as they have done so many times over the past four years, but Michael Bohlke of Newington also kept up with the lead pack. Gavin Sherry won the race, covering the hilly 3.1 mile course in 15:16, while his brother held off Puffer and Bohlke on the final ascent to claim second. Ridgefield captured the boys team championship, placing three runners in the top 20 to finish with 82 points and claim its first boys team title since 2013. Xavier had 110 points to edge Hall for second place. In the girls individual race, it was no contest, as Rachel St. Germain of Somers opened up a 30-second lead by the midway point and cruised to victory. Her time of 18:02 was 46 seconds faster than runner-up Brooke Strauss of Glastonbury, who edged Sydney Kelleher of New Milford by a second. As a consolation, Class L champion New Milford won its first girls State Open championship with 94 points, far outdistancing runner-up Glastonbury. Here are the top six teams and 20 individuals in each race. Click the headers for complete results. BOYS Teams Ridgefield, 82Xavier, 110Hall, 112Staples, 168Avon, 169Daniel Hand, 213 Individuals Gavin Sherry, Conard, 15:16Callum Sherry, ConardAidan Puffer, ManchesterMichael Bohlke, Newington Luke Anthony, East LymeEamon Burke, Xavier Jack Martin, Avon Nikita Omelchenko, Wilbur Cross Walker Beverly, Hall Steven Hergenrother, Ridgefield Luke Davis, Simsbury Mason Beaudette, Amity RegionalJustin Cascio, Lewis Mills Nathan Cramer, Fairfield LudloweMatthew McDonough, RidgefieldEvan Boland, E.O. Smith Griffin Mandirola, Suffield Luke Stoffler, TollandSean Barkasy, Manchester Jack Dovaras, Ridgefield Gavin Sherry of Conard won the boys race by six seconds over his brother Callum. Callum Sherry (Conard) and Aidan Puffer (Manchester).Michael Bohlke of Newington.Jack Martin (Avon) and Nikita Omelchenko (Wilbur Cross).GIRLS Teams New Milford, 94Glastonbury, 124Hall, 171Ridgefield, 178E.O. Smith, 184Guilford, 216 Individuals Rachel St. Germain, Somers, 18:02Brooke Strauss, GlastonburySydney Kelleher, New MilfordKatherine Rector, Ridgefield Alexa Ciccone, Cheshire Kali Holden, Trumbull Madelaine Sweeney, New Milford Anna Keeley, Fairfield Ludlowe Megan Minicucci, Bolton Julia Antony, Guilford Chloe Poulos, WoodlandKatherine Sanderson, HallRadea Raleva, New CanaanNora Holmes, Hall Peyton Bornstein, Tolland Esme Daplyn, Greenwich Anna Omelchenko, Wilbur Cross Katherine Bohlke, NewingtonJulianne Teitler, Darien Emily Mrakovcic, Wilton Katherine Rector (Ridgefield) and Brooke Strauss (Glastonbury).Sydney Kelleher and Madelaine Sweeney (New Milford), and Alexa Ciccone (Cheshire).Anna Keeley (Fairfield Ludlowe), Julia Antony (Guilford) and Megan Minicucci (Bolton).Photos: Tim Jensen/Patch Don't miss local and statewide news from all across Connecticut. Register for free Patch alerts and daily newsletters.