ECC DIVISION I

East Lyme

Head coach: Carl Reichard (45th season)

Key returnees: Sydney Arustei (sprints), Hannah Bergeron (distance), Grace Blackwood (jumps), Ella Chiasson (jumps, hurdles), Lauren Hinckley (sprints, jumps), Kennedy Holsapple (distance), Kayleigh Jensen (distance), Aubrey Jorgensen (throws), Lacey-Lee Keramidas (pole vault, throws), Ava Pitruzzello (sprints), Sarina McCollum (sprints), Sophia Seguin (hurdles, jumps), Emily Sevigny (sprints), Aranza Torres (distance), Chloe Vaglio (throws), Jayla Washington (sprints, jumps).

Top newcomers: Cate Bustamante (sprints, hurdles), Allison Caskey (sprints, hurdles), Neva Flickinger (sprints), Samantha Rodes (sprints, jumps), Joselyn Salerno (sprints, pole vault), Alaina Sartori (sprints, jumps).

Outlook: The Vikings won last year’s ECC Division I outdoor title and added an indoor title in February. They return reigning ECC outdoor champions Pitruzzello (400) and Hinckley (triple jump), along with a number of ECC and Class MM state place-winners. “We added a large group of newcomers,” Reichard said “It will take a while to get them all training/competing in the best events.”

Fitch

Head coach: Tricia Sneider (4th season)

Key returnees: Sr. Amelia Lovering (sprints, hurdles), Sr. Saffron Pentell (sprints), Sr. Chloe Gehrlein (sprints), Sr. Hannah Thomas (sprints), Sr. Hannah Hurley (sprints), Jr. Bella Braucci (sprints), Jr. Hannah Warner (sprints), Jr. Alaina Campbell (sprints), So. Destinee Pena (sprints), So. Oliva Flowers (sprints), So. Jayla Robinson (sprints), So. Hannah Thomas (sprints), So. Sydney Post (high jump), Sr. Meriel Robbins (distance), So. Emma Forde (distance), So. Annajade Williams (throws).

Top newcomers: Jr. Tahjanae Knight (sprints), Fr. Gracie Noland (throws), Fr. Mya Duncan (throws), So. Mia Hankey (distance), Fr. Annalyn Cahill (pole vault).

Outlook: Although suffering some significant losses, particularly in the sprints and distance events, the Falcons have a good mix of veterans and new athletes, and Sneider said Fitch has more depth then previous seasons. “We will be more competitive this year covering more events than we have in previous years,” she said.

NFA

Head coach: Andre Chappelle (2nd season)

Key returnees: Sr. Alexis Boyer (pole vault, distance), Sr. Alyssa Newson (mid-distance), Sr. Eliana Duclos (distance), Sr. Anna Ricketts (distance), Jr. Lily Gilbert (pole vault, sprints), Sr. Juliette Savignac (high jump), Sr. Tatianna Jones (sprints), Sr. Avery Kozial (sprints, throws), Jr. Caroline Holmberg (sprints), Jr. Hannah Graham (throws), So. Sofia Ayer (mid-distance), Sr. Delaney Phelps (pole vault), So. Kaitlyn Titus (hurdles), So. Karina Chan (sprints), Jr. Nevaeh Yorke (sprints).

Top newcomers: Fr. Daisy Jeffs, So. Riley Davis, So. Sarah Louissaint, So. D’ahnise White, So. Margaret Corey, So. Gabrielle Clayton (10th).

Outlook: The Wildcats return a pair of ECC outdoor champions in Boyer (pole vault) and Graham (discus) but must replace Jasmyn Bransford, a multiple ECC champ. NFA hasn’t won Division I outdoor title since 2019, but Chappelle believes the Wildcats can challenge East Lyme for that honor this spring with a deep, talented roster.

Note: Division I includes Woodstock Academy.

ECC DIVISION II

Bacon Academy

Head coach: Jeff Brunoli (1st season)

Key returnees: Sr. Megan Braga (hurdles, sprints), So. Natalie Chesnes (throws), Sr. Catherine Fields (distance), Sr. Angelyn Rodriquez (sprints), Sr. Olivia Hightower (javelin, sprints), Jr. Leah Hochholzer (throws), Jr. Melinda McKenzie (distance), Jr. Saniyah Otero (400, high jump), So. Avery Anderson (distance), So. Brooke Dean (sprints), So. Isabella Falkowski, So. Katelyn Novak (jumps), Sr. Amber Sullivan (sprints).

Top newcomers: Emille Pac (sprints), Alannah Baehr (100, high jump), Alyssa Blanchette (sprints, shot put), Emma Cote (distance), Taryn Gray (sprints), Skyelyn Schoen-Rene (100, high jump).

Outlook: The Bobcats graduated a large senior class led by ECC Division I champion Jordan Malloy (800, 1,600), but Braga and Anderson are returning place-winners and Brunoli has a nice mix of experience athletes and talented newcomers to have a competitive season in Division II.

Ledyard

Head coach: Dave Tetlow (50th season)

Key returnees: Sr. Kathryn Gieleghem (pole vault), Sr. Arwen Jones (sprints), Jr. Sam Doran (distance), Jr. Emily Peckham (distance), Jr. Anessa Robertson (throws), Jr. Ella Stephenson (sprints, mid-distance); Jr. Avery Widlicka (distance), So. Megan Armstrong (sprints), So. Adelaide Culligan (hurdles), So. Emma Golembeski (hurdles), So. Kate Littler (mid-distance); So. Isabella Schweitzer (jumps), So. Sarah Vincent (sprints), So. Josie Withbroe (distance).

Top newcomers: Sr. Linda Holeman (hurdles), Jr. Keara Opalenik (jumps, hurdles), Jr. Olivia Storz (sprints), So. Trinity Cason (sprints), So. Anna Maynard (jumps), So. Najeily Sanchez (discus), Fr. Jeannie Drummond (pole vault), Fr. Margaret Dykes (sprints), Fr. Gabrielle Rader (throws, hurdles), Fr. Lillian Wiers (jumps, javelin), Fr. Kylie Witherill (hurdles).

Outlook: The Colonels dominated the ECC Division II indoor championships led by individual winners Stephenson (300, 600) and Littler (1,000). Ledyard should contend for the Division II outdoor title and qualify a number of athletes for the Class M and State Open championships.

New London

Head coach: Natalie Bowens (2nd season)

Key returnees: Sr. Kmara Royster (hurdles, high jump), Sr. Adrianna Benjamin (shot put), Sr. Jah’Nyah Maddox-Williams (sprints), So. Darielys Arnold (sprints, hurdles, jumps), So. Leilani Robinson (sprints).

Top newcomers: Fr. Olivia Crane-Benjamin (distance).

Outlook: Arnold made a splash during her first indoor season, winning ECC titles in the 55 dash and long jump, then capturing the Class M long jump state crown. She will also join Maddox-Williams and and Robinson in the sprints and relays while Royster won an ECC title in the 55 hurdles and is also a threat in the jumps. “With our key returners and talented newcomers, we are confident in our ability to compete at a high level and achieve our goals,” Bowens said.

Stonington

Head coach: Megan Chapman (2nd season)

Key returnees: So. Katie Anbari (multi), So. Madeline deLaura (distance), Jr. Olivia Duhig (sprints), Sr. Courtney Labbe (throws), Sr. Addison Labbe (distance), So. Mia Pisani (distance), Sr. Marin Singletary (jumps), So. Isabella Spaulding (jumps), Jr. Peyton Vanderstreet (distance), Alexa Williams (sprints).

Top newcomers: Fr. Alec Anderson (throws), So. Morgan Anderson (throws), Fr. Samantha Mooney (throws), So. Hayden Gothie (sprints), Fr. Molly Musselman (distance), Fr. Sophia Orlowski (throws), Fr. Neila Santiago (throws), Jr. Lauren Vossler (hurdles).

Outlook: The Bears have a smaller team this spring as they moved up to Division II, so depth in dual meets is a concern. But Chapman expects Labbe and Vanderstreet to compete at a high level with Singletary, Williams and Duhig scoring valuable points as newcomers adjust and help Stonington improve during the season.

Waterford

Head coach: Samantha Shea (6th season)

Key returnees: Sr. Isabella Kimball (sprints), So. Sarah Conti (sprints), Sr. Julia Cameron (hurdles), Sr. Colleen Corman (distance, hurdles), So. Avery Maiese (distance), Sr. Erica Mugovero (distance), So. Elizabeth Price (throws), Sr. Briana Smith (throws).

Top newcomers: Jr. Alexa Collins (sprints), Fr. Elle DiBuono (sprints, jumps), Fr. Ava Lee (distance), Fr. Ava Tucker (sprints).

Outlook: Maiese has enjoyed a great sophomore season, winning the ECC cross country championship in the fall and adding ECC Division I titles in the 1,000 and 1,600 during the indoor season. “We have a strong team this year,” Shea said, “and they are looking forward to supporting each other and being tough competitors this season.”

ECC DIVISION III

Griswold

Head coach: Kelsey Tobler (7th season)

Key returnees: Jr. Madilyn Wooten (distance), So. Emily McDonough (sprints), So. Olivia Riley (mid-distance), Jr. Devyn Pelillo (throws).

Top newcomers: Fr. Sophia Wooten (mid-distance), Fr. Ryley Hubert (distance), Fr. Madison Pudvah (throws), Fr. Autumm Bedingfield (throws).

Outlook: The Wolverines graduated one of the ECC’ most versatile performers in Taylor Bialowas (sprints, jumps), but Griswold increased its numbers, which bodes well for the dual season. “We are looking forward to an overall improvement from last season,” Tobler said. “Our team looks forward to being competitive within our division in the ECC and at the state level.”

Montville

Head coach: Joel Finnegan (21st season)

Key returnees: Sr. Angelique Dinoto (jumps), Sr. Samyuktha Kuruchi (jumps), Sr. Jaisey Galvin (mid-distance), Sr. Maya Suarez (distance), Sr. Katerina Tassis (sprints), Jr. Sage Gressly (distance), Jr. Chloe Hammer (throws), So. Brenna LaBranche (jumps), So. Katie Myjak (hurdles, jumps), So. MacKenzie O'Donnell (mid-distance), So. Lyla Schultz (hurdles, sprints).

Top newcomers: So. Izzy Northrop (hurdles, sprints), Fr. Ashlynn Audoin (throws), Fr. Aubrey Axtell (sprints), Fr. Tiana Bamber (sprints), Fr. Evelyn Granskog (hurdles), Fr. Kamryn Plikus (jumps, sprints), Fr. Melinda Siismets (jumps), Fr. Hannah Suarez (jumps), Fr. Alexa Tufares (sprints).

Outlook: Suarez, who won ECC Division II indoor titles in the 1,600 and 3,200, is back for her final season. Finnegan has a young team (22 of the 31 athletes are freshmen and sophomores), but said, “it includes a group of versatile athletes that have shown a willingness to work hard. A number of newcomers will likely have an immediate impact.”

Note: Division III includes Killingly, Plainfield and Windham.

ECC DIVISION IV

Lyman Memorial

Head coach: George Gray (14th season)

Key returnees: Ella Caplet (sprints, mid-distance), Magda Carpenter (mid-distance, sprints, throws), Phoebe Carpenter (jumps, throws), Leah Comeroski (sprints, jumps), Gabriela Dinisoe (multi), Allyssa Judd (mid-distance), Laurelin Boyer (hurdles, pole vault), Haley Cardinali (sprints, mid-distance), Avery Vole (distance), Becca Ziegler (distance), Jenny Lopez (sprints, hurdles), Hailey Litwin (throws).

Top newcomers: Hazel DeLucia (distance, Sylvie Hiltz (mid-distance), Emily McKelvey (multi), Kayla Osga (distance), Larhamie McKusick (distance), Aubrey Theriault (throws), Addison Ziegler (distance), Caydence James (throws).

Outlook: The Bulldogs had a solid indoor season with Comeroski winning an ECC Division II title in the 55 dash and joining Caplet, Cardinali and Magda Carpenter to win the 4x180 relay. “We plan to compete strongly in our division and the conference again,” Gray said, adding, “We have some new talent that will help the program to grow.

St. Bernard

Head coach: Raymond Forrester (11th season)

Key returnees: Sr. Payton Lowe (throws), Jr. Sienna Sferrazza (sprints), Jr. Audrey-Jane Turner (distance), So. Kerri Loughlin (distance), So. Kiley Flores Nahue (throws), So. Laura Johndreau (throws), Jr. Beverly Mayberry (throws).

Top newcomers: Jr. Uliana Pokutnia (sprints), Fr. Liberty Frechette (sprints), Fr. Venessa Colla (sprints), Fr. Abby Egan (jumps), Fr. Emily Wigfield (jumps), Fr. Emily Peckaitis (sprints), Fr. Micayla O’Brien (sprints).

Outlook: The Saints are young with Lowe, the ECC Division II indoor shot put champion, the only senior of the roster. Forrester expects Sferrazza and Pokutnia to perform well in the sprints, adding, “We are looking to the freshman class to provide stability to this team.”

Note: Division IV includes Putnam and Tourtellotte.

OTHERS

Grasso Tech

Head coach: Beth Wallace (6th season)

Key returnee: So. Kylee Morrison (mid-distance).

Top newcomer: Fr. Jada Muirhead (sprints).

Outlook: The Eagles, who compete in the Connecticut Technical Conference, have added some new athletes from their indoor program and expect to be competitive within the conference.

Norwich Tech

Head coach: Catherine Sikorski (6th season)

Key returnees: Jr. Grace Fuchs (sprints), So. Olivia Luurtsema (sprints, jumps).

Outlook: The Warriors hope to make some noise in the Connecticut Technical Conference. Sikorski said the team is young, but there are are several talented newcomers and increased numbers will provide more depth.

Old Lyme

Head coach: Alyssa Mercaldi (2nd season)

Key returnees: Sr. Maddy Morgado (distance), Sr. Lyla Powers (distance), So. Muta Quarshie (throws), So. Tabitha Colwell (sprints, jumps), So. Zoe Eastman-Grossel (hurdles, sprints, jumps), Sr. Alyssa Spooner (mid-distance), Sr. Gesami Vazquez (distance).

Top newcomers: Fr. Chase Gilbert (distance), Fr. Serena Mazzi (sprints), So. Lana Lopes (sprints, jumps), Fr. Maggie Thuma (throws).

Outlook: These are exciting times for the Wildcats, who won the Shoreline Conference indoor championship in February, finished second in the Class S state meet, and feature Class S champion Gilbert (3,200). “While we lost a lot of athletes to various spring sports, we are excited for some new athletes to join our program and continue to build a strong track program,” Mercaldi said.