Chett Ellis Outduels Justin Forde For Record Jump

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

NEW BRITAIN, Ct. -- Before he heads off to Harvard University, Chett Ellis made sure to leave his mark in the state of Connecticut. Monday afternoon at Veterans Stadium, the senior from Staples High cleared seven feet and a half inch to win the boys high jump at the Connecticut State Open. His mark is a new state and state open record, eclipsing the previous mark of 7-00.25 from 1994. 

"It has really sunk it yet," a smiling Ellis explained. "I'm happy about it."

After battling Brien McMahon's Justin Forde for most of the afternoon, Ellis found himself alone after Forde failed to clear 6-10. Ellis, who has been nursing an injury, gave himself two tries at a new state record. He cleared it on his final attempt. 

"I think we're both great competitors, I'm a little more form, he's definitely a little more hops, talented, gifted, but my technique kind of won out," he said. "I love going neck and neck with Justin."

Ellis said this was his final meet of the season as he'll prepare for Harvard. His mark is US#3.

In the team race, it was all Bloomfield. The Warhawks became the first team to score more than 100 points, finishing with a commanding 108 points to win their first Open crown since 2013. Runner-up was Hall with 43 points.

Bloomfield won four individual events, scoring 66 points in the field events.

"We all really wanted it as a team," said freshman Malcolm Beckford, who won the 200 (21.72) finished third in the 100 (10.87) and ran on the winning 4x400 relay (3:21.75).

Forde, who has the second-best triple jump mark in the country, scored 28 points, winning thr long jump (23-5.75), triple jump (50-2)and finishing second in the high jump (6-4).

"I just try and focus on that event and do the best I can," Forde said.

Forde said he won't compete at the New England Championships this Saturday in Maine but instead focus on training and preparations for New Balance Nationals Outdoor in less than two weeks. He said he'll be competing in all three events in North Carolina.

"I do have a couple marks in mind," Forde said. "I'm just trying to train over the next week and a half and bring the out of me when I get there."

On the track, Xavier's Robbie Cozean won the 3,200 in 9:10.97, overtaking freshman phenom, Aidan Puffer of Manchester in the final 400 meters. Puffer was runner-up in 9:13.02. Cozean, who finished second in the 1,600 (4:17.41), also won the Indoor Open 3,200 title in February.

"It's pretty hard to repeat twice,” Cozean said of his 3,200 titles. “If you can train consistently, you can start doing well.”

In the 4x800, Wilbur Cross ran 7:47.20, setting an Open record.

On the girls side, Danbury raced to the program's first Open title since 2010, scoring 58 points in a balanced effort.

Freshman Alanna Smith led the Hatters, winning the 400 (55.71), finished third in the 100 (12.04) and 200 (25.01).

Fairfield Ludlowe's Tess Stapleton had an unexpected day on the track and in the field. The sophomore won the 100 hurdles in a personal best time of 14.10, qualifying her for New Balance Nationals. She also added a win in the long jump (18-9).

"Definitely not this," she said of her game plan. "For hurdles, I was shooting to get under 14.5. (The) biggest feeling that I have  is I can't wait to see what comes next."

On the track, Terry Miller of Bloomfield overcame a false start in the 100 meter final to repeat as the 200 champ, clocking 24.33. Miller clocked 11.64 in the prelims, a personal best, and under the state record.

"I wanted to PR again, but it's just life," Miller said. "I just came back in the 200 and gave it my all."

Canton junior Chelsea Mitchell ran 11.67 in the 100. She also was second in the long jump (18-07).

Sophomore Kate Wiser of Pomperaug won the 3,200 in 10:28.91.