Fairfield Ludlowe CT junior soars to impressive long jump effort, also places second in 55-meter hurdles; D'Ambrosio wins twice, with pair of national leaders in DMR achieved in Connecticut

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

NEW HAVEN – It’s still seems a little far-fetched, but Tess Stapleton is warming up to the idea: she’s becoming one of the best prep track and field athletes in the country.

“I look at the girls at No. 1, and I’m like, ‘That’s crazy. Imagine seeing your name at U.S. No. 1,’” Stapleton said.

After Saturday’s performance at the 38th Yale High School Track and Field Classic at Coxe Cage, she didn’t have to wonder anymore.

The junior from Fairfield Ludlowe CT won the long jump title in a season-best mark of 19 feet, 5.50 inches (5.93m), which held the national lead for a couple of hours, before Houston Christian TX senior Claire Bryant jumped 20-2.25 (6.15m) at the Texas A&M High School Classic.

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Stapleton added a second-place finish in the 55-meter hurdles, as she was edged out by Jia Anderson of Padua DE by a 8.126 to 8.130 margin.

“I still haven’t even processed what that means,” Stapleton said of her mark. “I was not expecting that. To go 19-plus … it was incredible and I’m looking forward to how much more I can improve.”

Stapleton, who said she feels much stronger physically and mentally from a year ago, will get a good test next weekend when she travels to the Virginia Showcase to square off against the Florida-bound Bryant at Liberty University.

“I’m drawn to big meets where someone is going to push me,” she said. “I want to stay there.”

In her first time competing at Yale, Mia D’Ambrosio of Schalmont NY won the girls 55-meter dash (7.14) and 300 (39.81).

“(The) 55 was definitely just going all, and same with 300,” she said. “To come down to 39 was incredible. It (time) tells me that I’m stronger than I thought, faster.”

In the boys sprints, senior Keith Berrouet of Sport and Medical Sciences Academy CT won the 55 dash (6.42), with Samuel Mutiso of Lowell MA claiming the 55 hurdles (7.57).

Senior Steven Doss of La Salle Academy RI won the boys 300 in a U.S. No. 3 time of 34.12. Fernando Sanchez of St. John the Baptist NY claimed the boys 600 (1:22.5).

Gavin Sherry continued to impress Saturday in just his first indoor season. The sophomore from Conard CT won the boys mile in 4:18.11.

“I was just having fun with this race,” Sherry said.

Sherry battled it out with in-state rival, friend and fellow sophomore Aidan Puffer of Manchester. Puffer finished runner-up in 4:20.92.

“I literally couldn’t ask for any better competition,” Sherry said. “I love how he races track. I’m so thankful to have him.”

In the boys 3,000 meters, sophomore Gitch Hayes of La Salle Institute NY used a strong final 800 to surge to the front of the pack and win a close race in 8:40.57. Niall Ryan of Fordham Prep NY was right behind in 8:40.83.

“Our last 800 (meters) was really fast,” Hayes he said. “I knew I had energy still left in me, I just wanted to give it all I had.”

In the girls 3,000, Pope Francis MA senior Emily Boutin was the only runner to clock under 10 minutes, clocking 9:59.68 to earn the win.

“I certainly did not expect to be anywhere near the top three, let alone win, so once the race started, I kind of just followed my instincts,” Boutin said.

Cheyenne Figueroa of Classical RI won the girls weight throw in a meet record of 58-5 (17.80m).

The Shenendehowa NY girls distance medley relay set a U.S. No. 1 time Friday of 12:11.29. The La Salle Academy RI boys also set a new U.S. top mark in the DMR, running 10:20.48.