McHugh takes 3rd in steeplechase; Wilson is 5th in decathlon after day 1

Avon High’s Maddi McHugh was third in the 2,000 steeplechase.

NEW LONDON – The high school track and field season is virtually complete. That doesn’t mean Avon High junior Maddi McHugh isn’t still trying to run one more race. McHugh finished third in the girls 2,000 meter steeplechase Tuesday at the Coast Guard Academy during the State Open decathlon and pentathlon events.

McHugh was one of seven Avon girls in the event and likely set a school record in the event. She finished third in 7:33.41, about a second behind Killingly’s Lilly Orr. Thomaston’s Sabrina Olsen won the event in 7:23.64.

Day 1 of the decathlon and pentathlon was completed. Canton’s Keith Wilson is fifth after five events in the decathlon while Simsbury’s Stephanie Mueller is fifth in the pentathlon with Canton’s Lucy Tanner in 12th place. The decathlon finishes today with five events. There are three events remaining in the pentathlon. 

It was the third school record for McHugh, who holds records in the 800 meters and is part of record-setting 4×400 relay team. Canton’s Eliza Chekas was seventh in the 2,000 steeplechase with a time of 7:48.60. Avon’s Sara Stokesbury was 27th in 8:30.84.

In the decathlon, Wilson had a solid afternoon to earn 2,967 points. He was third in the 100 meters with a time of 11.76 seconds and fourth in the 400 meters in 51.22 seconds. He was 11th in the high jump (5-6) and 15th in the shot (34-5¼). He struggled in the long jump, taking 36th with a leap of 17 feet, six inches.

Canton’s Cam Daley is 10th with 2,808 points. His best performances came by taking eighth in the shot (37-5), 10th in the 400 meters (52.92) and 11th in the high jump (5-6). Devin Glasson is 48th in the field but had a good performance in the shot, taking second with a throw of 44 feet, 5¼ inches.

Avon’s Jake Sartain is the first Falcon to compete in the decathlon in several years. He is 24th with his best effort coming in the high jump where he took fifth (5-8) and in the long jump where he was 14th with a leap of 18-9¼.

The decathlon completes today with action in five events – 110 hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin and the 1,500 meters.

In the heptathlon, Mueller had top 10 finishes in three of four events. She was third in the 100 hurdles (16.00 seconds), fourth in the high jump (4-10¼) and ninth in the 200 meters (27.87).

Canton’s Lucy Tanner has already set a new school record in the heptathlon with the 1,985 points she has earned in four events. She finished tenth in the 200 meters (27.9) and 100 hurdles (17.07). She was 21st in the high jump and struggled in the shot, taking 49th place.

Canton senior Alex Martin is 19 after four events with a pair of 14th place finishes in the 200 meters and 100 hurdles. Canton freshman Amber Harraden is 32nd after day one with her best performance coming in shot (26-11), good enough for ninth place.

Day two events in the heptathlon include long jump, javelin and the 800 meters. The meet is being held in New London this fall because New Britain is resurfacing its track facility.