CONNECTICUT STATE MEET 

Sydney Segalla Takes Star Turn With 400-800 Double

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

Without the familiarity of distance powerhouse Gavin Sherry (who missed a majority of the outdoor season due to an injury) Connecticut track and field fans needed something to look forward to heading into Monday’s CIAC Outdoor State Open Track and Field Championships. Housatonic Regional’s Sydney Segalla promptly filled that void. 

In her first season competing, the soccer standout, who will play for Boston University this fall, has turned heads on the track. Monday at Willow Brook Park in New Britain, Ct., Segalla won the 200 (24.39), 400 (53.34) and finished runner-up in the 100 (12.43). 

Danbury’s Alanna Smith, who will run for Tennessee this fall, won the 100 (12.15) and finished runner-up to Segalla in the 200 (24.40) and 400 (55.43). Monday’s performance capped off an electrifying spring for Segalla as she swept the Class S Divisional sprints last week, winning the 100, 200 and 400. She set a meet record in the 100, clocking 11.90, breaking the 2019 record of 11.93 set by Terry Miller. She also broke the 400 record in a US#3 time of 52.96. 

Next up for Segalla, and the top six finishers in each event, will be the New England Track and Field Championships on Saturday, June 11, back at Willow Brook Park. 

The team title went to Sheehan, the program’s Open title, and head coach Charles Farley’s first in his 50 years with the team. Sheehan scored 43 points, while Joel Barlow was runner-up with 37 points and Danbury was third (35). Sheehan won the 4x100 relay (48.50) and scored in eight events. 

In the distance events, Rachel St. Germain of Somers won the 1,600 (4:57.77) and finished second in the 3,200 (10:45.91), while Ridgefield’s Katherine Rector won the 3,2000 in 10:45.68.

In the field, Weston’s Shea Greene won the javelin with a U.S. #5 throw of 151-2. 

On the boys side, Hillhouse, led by Baylor-commit Gary Moore Jr., won his third outdoor Open title with 64 points. Moore scored nearly half of his teams points as he won the shot put (56-5.5 feet), discus (187-10) and javelin (187-2). Moore currently is ranked US#10 in the shot (66-4.25) and US#20 in the discus (192-10). 

Teammate Matthew Gibbs won the 300 hurdles (37.65) for the Academics. 

Hall finished runner-up as a team with 57 points, Simsbury was third (45). 

In the distance events, without Sherry, Northern Arizona University commit and Manchester senior Aidan Puffer, won his first Open title, claiming the 1,600 (4:10.83) and 3,200 (9:09.60). Callum Sherry of Conard finished runner-up in the 1,600 (4:12.93). 

Team Champions

Hillhouse boys 64 points, Sheehan girls 43 points

Divisional Champions, May 31-June 2

Class LL: Hall boys 103.50 points, Glastonbury girls 118 points

Class L: Hillhouse boys 11.50 points, E.O. Smith girls 78.50 points

Class MM: Windsor boys 91 points, Windsor girls 106.50 points

Class M: Stonington boys 76 points, Sheehan girls 125.50 points

Class S: Bloomfield boys 81.50 points, Bloomfield girls 122.50 points