Ledyard — The compliments were coming from all directions Wednesday afternoon for Ledyard High School senior Megan Brawner as she signed a National Letter of Intent to compete in track and cross country next season at Division I Central Connecticut State University.

Perhaps the best one came from longtime Ledyard cross country coach Bruce Douglass, the science teacher. He's got the numbers to prove that all the other kindnesses are true.

"I've got the list," Douglass said. "She's among the very best. In terms of times and performances, she's among the very, very best. I have a list: athletes of recognition. She made it."

Brawner was second in the Eastern Connecticut Conference cross country meet this season, second in Class MM and 26th in the State Open, one spot away from a berth in the New England championship meet.

In her first outdoor track season in the spring, Brawner was ECC champion in the 800- and 1,600-meter events, Class M champion in the 800 meters and was named The Day's Girls' Track and Field Athlete of the Year.

Brawner is the editor-in-chief of the school's online newspaper, The Colonel, and serves as senior class secretary. She was recently named a state finalist for the Wendy's High School Heisman.

"Megan is one of the most celebrated and successful runners we've ever had," Ledyard principal Amanda Fagan said during the ceremony. "But you'd never know it. She's the most deceptively sweet killer I've ever seen."

v.fulkerson@theday.com

Twitter: @vickieattheday