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Girls Cross Country

Noble outlasts Wiser for State Open title; Hall wins team crown

Ryan Lacey | November 1, 2019

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Bethel's Ava Graham finished fourth at the State Open on Friday.
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Bethel’s Ava Graham finished fourth at the State Open on Friday.

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Danbury's Daniella Grullon Pena runs at the State Open championship at Wickham Park on Friday.
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Danbury’s Daniella Grullon Pena runs at the State Open championship at Wickham Park on Friday.

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Darien's Mairead Clas runs at the State Open championship on Friday.
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Darien’s Mairead Clas runs at the State Open championship on Friday.

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New Canaan's Molly Murphy runs at the State Open on Friday.
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New Canaan’s Molly Murphy runs at the State Open on Friday.

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Greenwich's Mari Noble win the State Open on Friday.
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Greenwich’s Mari Noble win the State Open on Friday.

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Geenwich's Mari Noble won the State Open on Friday.
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Geenwich’s Mari Noble won the State Open on Friday.

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State Open champ Mari Noble of Greenwich is interviewed after the race on Friday.
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State Open champ Mari Noble of Greenwich is interviewed after the race on Friday.

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Greenwich's Mari Noble, left, and Pomperaug's Kate Wiser placed first and second, respectively, at the State Open championship on Friday.
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Greenwich’s Mari Noble, left, and Pomperaug’s Kate Wiser placed first and second, respectively, at the State Open championship on Friday.

Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
Greenwich's Mari Noble, left, and Pomperaug's Kate Wiser placed first and second, respectively, at the State Open championship on Friday.
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Greenwich’s Mari Noble, left, and Pomperaug’s Kate Wiser placed first and second, respectively, at the State Open championship on Friday.

Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
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Greenwich's Mari Noble, left, and Pomperaug's Kate Wiser placed first and second, respectively, at the State Open championship on Friday.
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Greenwich’s Mari Noble, left, and Pomperaug’s Kate Wiser placed first and second, respectively, at the State Open championship on Friday.

Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
Greenwich's Mari Noble, front, and Pomperaug's Kate Wiser placed first and second, respectively, at the State Open championship on Friday.
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Greenwich’s Mari Noble, front, and Pomperaug’s Kate Wiser placed first and second, respectively, at the State Open championship on Friday.

Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
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Trumbull's Alessandra Zaffina, front, runs at the State Open on Friday.
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Trumbull’s Alessandra Zaffina, front, runs at the State Open on Friday.

Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
Pomperaug's Kate Wiser finished second at the State Open on Friday.
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Pomperaug’s Kate Wiser finished second at the State Open on Friday.

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Pomperaug's Katie Wiser placed second at the State Open on Friday.
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Pomperaug’s Katie Wiser placed second at the State Open on Friday.

Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
Manchester, Connecticut -Wednesday, November 1, 2019: The CIAC Girls Cross Country Open Championship Friday at Wickham Park in Manchester, left to right: Jacqueline Izzo of Southington H.S., Kate Wiser of Pomperaug H.S., Daniella Grullon Pena of Danbury, Ailene Doherty of Immaculate H.S., Emily Alexandru of Trumbull H.S.; Mari Noble of Greenwich H.S., Kate Hedlund of Manchester H.S., Sophie Curcio of New Canaan H.S., Liv Distefano of East Hampton H.S., and Caitlyn Wiley of Old Saybrook H.S.
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Manchester, Connecticut -Wednesday, November 1, 2019: The CIAC Girls Cross Country Open Championship Friday at Wickham Park in Manchester, left to right: Jacqueline Izzo of Southington H.S., Kate Wiser of Pomperaug H.S., Daniella Grullon Pena of Danbury, Ailene Doherty of Immaculate H.S., Emily Alexandru of Trumbull H.S.; Mari Noble of Greenwich H.S., Kate Hedlund of Manchester H.S., Sophie Curcio of New Canaan H.S., Liv Distefano of East Hampton H.S., and Caitlyn Wiley of Old Saybrook H.S.

Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
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Manchester's Kate Hedlund runs during the State Open championship on Friday.
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Manchester’s Kate Hedlund runs during the State Open championship on Friday.

Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
Manchester, Connecticut -Wednesday, November 1, 2019: The CIAC Girls Cross Country Open Championship Friday at Wickham Park in Manchester, left to right: Mairead Clas of Darien H.S., Alessandra Zaffina of Trumbull H.S., Jacqueline Izzo of Southington H.S., and Amanda Derway of Simsbury H.S.
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Manchester, Connecticut -Wednesday, November 1, 2019: The CIAC Girls Cross Country Open Championship Friday at Wickham Park in Manchester, left to right: Mairead Clas of Darien H.S., Alessandra Zaffina of Trumbull H.S., Jacqueline Izzo of Southington H.S., and Amanda Derway of Simsbury H.S.

Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
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Manchester, Connecticut -Wednesday, November 1, 2019: The CIAC Girls Cross Country Open Championship Friday at Wickham Park in Manchester: Third place finisher Kate Hedlund of Manchester H.S.
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Manchester, Connecticut -Wednesday, November 1, 2019: The CIAC Girls Cross Country Open Championship Friday at Wickham Park in Manchester: Third place finisher Kate Hedlund of Manchester H.S.

Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
Manchester, Connecticut -Wednesday, November 1, 2019: The CIAC Girls Cross Country Open Championship Friday at Wickham Park in Manchester: 5th place finisher Daniella Grullon Pena of Danbury, left, Kathryn Rodrigues of Wolcot H.S., center, and Claire Daniels of New Milford H.S., right,
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Manchester, Connecticut -Wednesday, November 1, 2019: The CIAC Girls Cross Country Open Championship Friday at Wickham Park in Manchester: 5th place finisher Daniella Grullon Pena of Danbury, left, Kathryn Rodrigues of Wolcot H.S., center, and Claire Daniels of New Milford H.S., right,

Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
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Manchester, Connecticut -Wednesday, November 1, 2019: The CIAC Girls Cross Country Open Championship Friday at Wickham Park in Manchester. 7th place finisher Kathryn Rodrigues.
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Manchester, Connecticut -Wednesday, November 1, 2019: The CIAC Girls Cross Country Open Championship Friday at Wickham Park in Manchester. 7th place finisher Kathryn Rodrigues.

Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
Manchester, Connecticut -Wednesday, November 1, 2019: The CIAC Girls Cross Country Open Championship Friday at Wickham Park in Manchester: 12th place finisher Kylie Raymond of Somers H.S., left, 11th place finisher Jenna Zydanowicz of Hall H.S., center, and 10th place finisher Mairead Clas of Darien, right,
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Manchester, Connecticut -Wednesday, November 1, 2019: The CIAC Girls Cross Country Open Championship Friday at Wickham Park in Manchester: 12th place finisher Kylie Raymond of Somers H.S., left, 11th place finisher Jenna Zydanowicz of Hall H.S., center, and 10th place finisher Mairead Clas of Darien, right,

Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
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Manchester, Connecticut -Wednesday, November 1, 2019: The CIAC Girls Cross Country Open Championship Friday at Wickham Park in Manchester: 13th place finisher Nora Holmes of Hall H.S., right, and 15th place finisher Julia Caputo of Canton H.S., left.
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Manchester, Connecticut -Wednesday, November 1, 2019: The CIAC Girls Cross Country Open Championship Friday at Wickham Park in Manchester: 13th place finisher Nora Holmes of Hall H.S., right, and 15th place finisher Julia Caputo of Canton H.S., left.

Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
Manchester, Connecticut -Wednesday, November 1, 2019: The CIAC Girls Cross Country Open Championship Friday at Wickham Park in Manchester: 15th place finisher Julia Caputo of Canton H.S., left, and 14th place finiisher Tess Pisanelli of Ridgefield H.S., right.
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Manchester, Connecticut -Wednesday, November 1, 2019: The CIAC Girls Cross Country Open Championship Friday at Wickham Park in Manchester: 15th place finisher Julia Caputo of Canton H.S., left, and 14th place finiisher Tess Pisanelli of Ridgefield H.S., right.

Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
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Manchester, Connecticut -Wednesday, November 1, 2019: The CIAC Girls Cross Country Open Championship Friday at Wickham Park in Manchester: 15th place finisher Julia Caputo of Canton H.S..
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Manchester, Connecticut -Wednesday, November 1, 2019: The CIAC Girls Cross Country Open Championship Friday at Wickham Park in Manchester: 15th place finisher Julia Caputo of Canton H.S..

Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
Manchester, Connecticut -Wednesday, November 1, 2019: The CIAC Girls Cross Country Open Championship Friday at Wickham Park in Manchester: 19th place finisher Emily Brydges of Suffield H.S., right.
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Manchester, Connecticut -Wednesday, November 1, 2019: The CIAC Girls Cross Country Open Championship Friday at Wickham Park in Manchester: 19th place finisher Emily Brydges of Suffield H.S., right.

Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
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Manchester, Connecticut -Wednesday, November 1, 2019: The CIAC Cross Country Open Championship Friday at Wickham Park in Manchester, right to left: 20th place finisher Elizabeth Stockman of Rocky Hill H.S., 21st place finisher Dagny Edwards of Simsbury H.S., 22nd place finisher Jacqueline Izzo of Southingotn H.S., and 23rd place finisher Rhiannon Richmond of Avon H.S.
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Manchester, Connecticut -Wednesday, November 1, 2019: The CIAC Cross Country Open Championship Friday at Wickham Park in Manchester, right to left: 20th place finisher Elizabeth Stockman of Rocky Hill H.S., 21st place finisher Dagny Edwards of Simsbury H.S., 22nd place finisher Jacqueline Izzo of Southingotn H.S., and 23rd place finisher Rhiannon Richmond of Avon H.S.

Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
Manchester, Connecticut -Wednesday, November 1, 2019: The CIAC Cross Country Open Championship Friday at Wickham Park in Manchester: 1st place finisher Mari Noble of Greenwich H.S. does interviews after the race, left.
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Manchester, Connecticut -Wednesday, November 1, 2019: The CIAC Cross Country Open Championship Friday at Wickham Park in Manchester: 1st place finisher Mari Noble of Greenwich H.S. does interviews after the race, left.

Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
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Manchester, Connecticut -Wednesday, November 1, 2019: The CIAC Cross Country Open Championship Friday at Wickham Park in Manchester: 1st place finisher Mari Noble of Greenwich H.S. does interviews after the race.
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Manchester, Connecticut -Wednesday, November 1, 2019: The CIAC Cross Country Open Championship Friday at Wickham Park in Manchester: 1st place finisher Mari Noble of Greenwich H.S. does interviews after the race.

Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
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MANCHESTER—The plan for Mari Noble in Friday’s State Open was to keep up with defending champion Kate Wiser as long as possible before mentally settling in a rhythm running alone.

Except that didn’t happen. Noble had a narrow lead after both a mile and two miles, and suddenly the elusive title was in her grasp.

The impossible dream came true for the Greenwich junior, as a 18:13 finish meant her first State Open title. Noble bested Wiser by 10 seconds at Wickham Park.

BOYS: CONARD’S SHERRY OUTLASTS COZEAN FOR TITLE

“I wasn’t thinking about it too much, but I knew the time was going to come where I figured where I’d lose her,” Noble said. “So I was mentally preparing for how I would handle being myself. …I can’t describe this feeling, I didn’t think this was completely possible.”

Noble dropped another 17 seconds from her winning time at the Class LL meet last Saturday. Wiser was coming off a course-record performance in winning in 17:39 in the Class L race.

“I’m so proud of her,” Greenwich coach Evan Dubin said. “There aren’t enough words to describe how happy I am for her; she’s worked so hard. The competition at a meet of this magnitude is the best of the best. My money is on Mari every race; I’m not surprised that she won but I know the world is.”

It’s the first runner-up finish for Wiser in state since her freshman season, a second to Morgan McCormick at the State Open.

“Mari ran hard from the start,” said Pomperaug coach Mark Goodwin. “This might not have been Kate’s day, but it was Mari’s day. Second in Connecticut is good; she will bounce back. … There is probably going to be 10 or 15 Mari Noble’s next week (at New Englands).”

Hall girls win State Open and are pretty happy about it #ctxc pic.twitter.com/JP4qZVqqWN

— Ryan Lacey (@RyanLacey11) November 1, 2019

Manchester’s Kate Hedlund finished third (18:48) while Bethel’s Ava Graham finished fourth. Danbury’s Daniella Grullon-Pena was fifth in 19:07, just edging New Milford’s Claire Daniels with the same time.

Hall girls capped an almost perfect season with the team title, led by Jenna Zydanowicz’s 11th-place finish. The Warriors scored 110 points, ahead of runner-up Simsbury’s 136. Trumbull (155), New Canaan (173) and Danbury (191) made it an FCIAC 3-4-5.

“We’ve worked so hard for this all season,” Zydanowicz said. “Every single one of us worked so well together. This was really a team race and we gave it everything we had. This has been an unbelievable season; this is such a great group of girls.”

Kathryn Rodrigues of Wolcott (19:11, seventh), Amanda Derway of Simsbury was eighth (19:18), Alessandra Trumbull took ninth (19:18) and Mairead Clas (Darien) rounded out the top 10.

DEBUT GEM

Graham hadn’t run in cross country during her freshman season, and was unsure how it would go. But a fourth-place effort Friday capped a stellar effort that included a third at SWCs and a Class M title.

“I’m very happy with the season,” Graham said. “I didn’t know what to expect coming into it; I had some success in track but cross country is so much different. It was a great season, I love the sport and my teammates.”

Graham clocked in at 18:54, within sight of Hedlund for third place.

“I thought maybe I could have pushed it a little harder and gone for third but I’m overall pretty happy with it,” Graham said. “I was ranked sixth based on last week’s (Class) times, so it was fun.”

CIAC GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY STATE OPEN

Complete results via CIAC

Team Results

1. Hall 110, 2. Simsbury 136, 3. Trumbull 155, 4. New Canaan 173, 5. Danbury 191, 6. Glastonbury 193, 7. Ridgefield 207, 8. Wilton 274, 9. Darien 274, 10. Greenwich 278, 11. Immaculate 278, 12. Tolland 303, 13. Fairfield Ludlowe 327, 14. East Lyme 335, 15. Southington 355, 16. Pomperaug 358, 17. E.O. Smith 375, 18. Thomaston 383, 19. Haddam-Killingworth 435, 20. Bethel 456, 21. East Hampton 468.

Top Individuals

1. Mari Noble, Greenwich 18:13; 2. Kate Wiser, Pomperaug 18:23; 3. Kate Hedlund, Manchester 18:48; 4. Ava Graham, Bethel 18:54; 5. Daniella Grullon Pena, Danbury 19:07; 6. Claire Daniels, New Milford 19:07; 7. Kathryn Rodrigues, Wolcott 19:11; 8. Amanda Derway, Simsbury 19:18; 9. Alessandra Zaffina, Trumbull 19:18; 10. Mairead Clas, Darien 19:24; 11. Jenna Zydanowicz, Hall 19:25; 12. Kylie Raymond, Somers 19:29; 13. Nora Holmes, Hall 19:36; 14. Tess Pisanelli, Ridgefield 19:36; 15. Julia Caputo, Canton 19:39; 16. Ailene Doherty, Immaculate 19:42; 17. Molly Murphy, New Canaan 19:42; 18. Katherine Sanderson, Hall 19:42; 19. Emily Brydges, Suffield 19:46; 20. Elizabeth Stockman, Rocky Hill 19:48

About Ryan Lacey

Ryan Lacey is a staff writer for GameTimeCT.com and the Danbury News-Times. Email him at RLacey@bcnnew.com

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