By Senior Correspondent Marty Ogden, Editing and Graphics by Ron Knapp
One thing that is special about the Yale Interscholastic Track Classic is that it is the only chance for CT athletes to meet athletes from all over the northeast without having to travel hours out of state. The 40th edition of the meet should provide plenty of challenges for in-state athletes as they prepare for the conference, Class and other post season meets that are only a few weeks away.
Girls 55m
Last year Manchester’s Samiya Eady was undefeated last year until New Englands and is doing the same thing this year. One of the most difficult efforts she had last year was at the Yale Invitational because she had to run three rounds in claiming her win. But this year she is more experienced and even set a PR of 7.13 last Friday at the Elm City Coaches meet. She will face Breagan Blowers of Holliday High School, one of the top runners in Texas. Bloomfield’s Saphyr Brown is better known as a long jumper but has plenty of speed running all those incredible relays for the WarHawks.
Girls 300m
Ava Weiss of Columbia won the NYSPHSAA Indoor Championship last year and is close to breaking 40-seconds. Nyack’s Jayda Johnson is a rising star who placed 5th in the 400m at New Balance Nationals Outdoors freshman race. Connecticut’s top sprinter is Lauren Kropo of Naugatuck who is leading the state in the 200m, 400m and 600m and will be trying to grab the lead back in the 300m.
Girls 1-mile
Liv Sherry and Tess Sherry accomplished a rare feat when the sisters both qualified for Foot Locker Nationals. After taking a short break the Conard seniors opened up last weekend running the 3k at the Armory Hispanic Games taking 2nd and 6th. Both girls have run under 4:50 for the 1600m and could push each other to some blazing times on Saturday. Leyla Bhusri of Shenendehowa Central was the New York Federation runner-up and won The Beantown Winter Classic right before Christmas. Add in Vermont’s 1500m champion Alice Kredell who was one of New England champion Champlain Valley Union top scorers, you have the makings of a strong field.
Girls 3000m
Brooke Strauss is the State Open champion, New England champion and Foot Locker All American in cross country. During track, she is knocking on the door of several state records. She should make the 3000m one of the fastest in years. She rarely runs the 3200m fresh and has never run a 3k so this is sure to be a PR. Olivia Digaetano of Connetquot, NY is…
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