MANCHESTER, Oct. 31 – Avon senior Molly Hamel finished 30th to lead the Falcons at the State Open cross country championships Friday at Wickham Park. The Falcons, who won their second Class MM state championship in three years a week ago, finished 13th in the field of 21 teams.
For the first time in over 30 years, the Avon boys competed with the girls at the State Open. The Avon boys earned their first trip to the State Open since 1983 by finishing second in Class MM championship meet. The Falcons finished 19th in the field of 20 teams and were led by senior Collin Pritchard, who was 111th in the field of more than 190 runners.
The Canton boys also competed at the State Open for the sixth and finished 16th. James Yost led the way for the Warriors by taking 41st with a time of 17:03.
Staples High junior Hannah DeBalsi won her second straight State Open championship in 17:59, beating Coventry’s Elisabeth Jean by 44 seconds. Tolland won their second straight Open championship with four runners in the top 10 and five in the top 21.
On the boys side, Darien’s Alex Ostberg won the State Open title and the Danbury boys won the championship, slipping past defending champion Ridgefield, 83-94.
The top six teams and top 25 individuals qualified to participate
The top six teams and the 25 individuals qualified to represent the state at the New England championships which will be held on Saturday, Nov. 8 at Wickham Park.
Local runners
Avon girls: 30. Molly Hamel 19:57, 79. Christina Martin 20:40, 117. Rachael Martin 21:08, 125. Gabriella Colletti 21:23, 144. Gillian Reyes 21:46, 158. Ryley Higgins 22:11, 173. Kristen Goldie 22:51
Canton girls: 112. Emily Briggs 21:05
Avon boys: 111. Collin Pritchard 17:29, 118. Andrew Suter 17:33, 135. Bryant St. Jean 17:43, 157. Kurt Goldie 18:04, 178. James Grant 18:36, 185. Greg Oberhausen 18:58, 190. Jack Stokesbury 19:22
Canton boys: 41. James Yost 17:03, 114. Dean Yost 17:32, 121. Jake Whittingslow 17:36, 150. Will Briggs 17:55, 160. Ethan Porter 18:05, 176. Zach Oliver 18:33, 188. Angie Shaw 19:10
Gerry deSimas, Jr., is the editor and founder of The Collinsville Press. He is an award-winning writer and has been covering sports in Connecticut and New England for more than 40 years. He was inducted into the New England High School Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2018.


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