DeBalsi leaves lasting mark on CT Open

By Mary Albl for DyeStat

At the Connecticut State Open Championships, Staples senior and recent Stanford commit Hannah DeBalsi, won her third straight Open title in 18 minutes and eight seconds. She became only the fourth female runner in state history to win three straight divisional and Open titles. She won by nearly a minute. Runner-up was Tolland's Katherine DeLoreto (19:01) and third was Coginchaug senior Sam Drop (19:13).

Tolland scored 97 points to win the team title. The Eagles' No.2/3 runner Caitlin Swanson passed a kidney stone on Thursday night, but rallied to not only run the race, but finish top 25.

“She is an amazing kid,” Tolland head coach Judi Lafontaine said of Caitlin Swanson.

Glastonbury finished in second place and Ridgefield was third.

In the boys' 5,000-meter race, Brien McMahon's Eric van der Els won his first ever Open crown in 15:47, becoming the first male runner from his school to win an Open title. Gabe Altopp of Ridgefield was second (15:55) and Randy Neish of Glastonbury was third (16:05).

Staples won the team Open title for the first time since 1990, scoring 102 points. Danbury was second (115) and Glastonbury was third overall. The 25 individuals advance to the New England Championships next weekend in Thetford, Vt.