DeBalsi wins third straight Class LL title

By Mary Albl for DyeStat

Staples High senior Hannah DeBalsi made history Saturday morning at the Class LL state championships at Wickham Park in Manchester.

DeBalsi, who recently committed to Stanford, won her third straight LL crown in 18 minutes, 14 seconds, becoming the first female runner in LL division to accomplish the task. She beat the entire field by a minute.

In the girls’ team race, Glastonbury edged out Ridgefield 74-78 to win the LL crown for the second year in a row.

In the boys’ race, it was senior Eric van der Els of Brien McMahon, who won his first state title, crossing the line in 15:52. Ridgefield's Gabe Altopp was second in 15:57. The two battled in out the entire 5,000-meter course. In the team race, Amity edged out Staples 93-106 to win back-to-back LL titles for the first time in program history. The Spartans were led by Harrison Block's seventh place finish.

In the Class L divisional, Michael Stoker of South Windsor won the boys 5,000-meter race in 16 minutes, 25 seconds. In his first race back from a shin injury, Darien's Army Noonan finished in third (16:38). New Milford boys scored 50 points to claim its second straight state title.

In the girls race, Mercy High made program history as Mackenzie Pias (19:04) and Bridgid Selfors (19:21) went 1-2, the first time they've had two runners finish in the top two spots ever. In the team race, E.O. Smith edged out Pomperaug, 62-70 for the title.

East Lyme's Vann Moffett won the boys Class MM state title, running 16 minutes, 17 seconds. Guilford easily won its first state title since 2012 as the Indians finished with five runners in the top 25, led by senior Ben Siciliano's third place finish.

In the girls’ race, Avon's Ryley Higgins led her team to a state title, as she won the race in 19:57. Avon scored 62 points and had five runners in the top 25.

The Tolland girls’ team won its fifth straight Class M state title, led by junior Katherine DeLoreto's first place finish of 18 minutes and 34 seconds. The Eagles scored 20 points and became the first M school in Connecticut history to win five straight since Montville won six (1978-83).

In the boys race, St. Joseph senior James Mas won his second straight state title in 16:13. In the team title race, Ledyard edged Brookfield 99-106 to win the championship.

In the Class SS divisional race, Haddam-Killingworth made school history as both the boys and girls won state titles for the first time together.

The boys were led by senior Cam Garrelts first place finish in 16:25 The Cougars placed four guys in the top 10 to win with 30 points.

In the girls’ race, Coginchaug senior, and University of Georgia commit, Sam Drop, ran a personal-best time on 18:58 to win by more than 30 seconds. Haddam-Killingworth edged out Coginchaug 65-68 for the team championship, the first since 1986.

At the Class S meet, Cam Cassello of Bolton ran 16:57 to win the boys 5K title. Shepaug Valley had five runners in the top 20 to win the team title.

In the girls’ race, Immaculate was dominant from start to finish as freshman Anglea Saidman won the race in 19:01. Immaculate claimed the top three spots to easily win with 43 points.