Avon’s Hamel qualifies for New Englands in 3,200 meters

Avon senior Molly Hamel (8) finished sixth in the 3,200 meters at the State Open to earn an invitation to the New England championships.

NEW HAVEN, February 21 – Avon senior Molly Hamel is going to the New England indoor track and field championships.

Hamel finished sixth in the 3,200 meters at the State Open Saturday at the Floyd Little Athletic Center. The top six athletes in each event earn an invitational to the meet at the Reggie Lewis Athletic Center in Boston on Friday, February 27.

Hamel finished the race in 11:16.00, much faster than the 11:31.16 she ran to finish second a week earlier at the Class L championships. The race was won by Staples outstanding All-American runner Hannah DeBalsi, who set a new Open record with her time of 10:40.55. She broke her own record that she set last February by less than a second.

Hamel also finished in front of Mercy sophomore Bridgid Sellers, who won the Class L title. Sellers finished ninth and was nearly 13 seconds slower than her winning time a week ago.

Hamel is the first individual girl from Avon to compete at the New England indoor track championship meet. A 4×800 relay team represented the Falcons two years ago in 2013. Hamel was on the 4×800 squad along with Sara Stokesbury, Amanda Holtzman and Maddie McHugh. That team was fifth at the State Open and 11th in New England.

The Canton boys sprint medley relay also participated at the State Open. The team of sophomore Dustin Van Kirk, junior John Solomon, senior Riley Hollis and senior Dean Yost finished ninth with a season-best time of 3:46.65. Their previous best time was 3:50.11, which was good enough for sixth place at the Class S championships.