Van der Els takes CT Open record in the 1,600

By Mary Albl for DyeStat

NEW BRITAIN --The way the spring track season has been going for Brien McMahon's Eric van der Els, Monday's performance was expected. 

The UConn-bound van der Els dominated the State Open 1,600 meters at Willow Brook Park, winning in four minutes and 08.42 seconds. His time shattered the 2008 Open record of 4:11.97. 

"I was going for obviously the win, and the record too," van der Els explained. "I knew I had to work pretty hard for it. I wanted to get out of fast and ahead of the pace and then just see what I had left in me for the last two or three laps."

Van der Els will now enter the New England Championships on Saturday at Willow Brook with one of the fastest mile times. A little over a week ago, van der Els recorded a personal best time of 4:05.30.

"Hopefully I get one of the La Salle boys in there, not sue, but they really help," van der Els said. "i think if I'm pushed, I can definitely go faster."

The Wethersfield boys scored 61 points to win the State Open title. 

Weaver's Mark Doyley was a double winner, taking home the 100 (10.62) and 200 (21.46).

Elijah Young  of Wethersfield claimed the 400 in 47.87.

In the 3,200, Gabriel Altopp of Ridgefield won in 9:07.64. The top six finishers in the race all clocked under 9:20.

In girls' action, Bloomfield scored 72 points to win the Open team title.

Staples' senior Hannah DeBalsi won her third straight 3,200 meter crown in 10:33.26. DeBalsi will run the 2 mile at New Englands. She said the game plan for her final two races in Connecticut are to "run fast."

"I think I'm in pretty good shape," DeBalsi said. "I think if I was in the right race, I could go sub-10 now."

Georgia commit Jessia Drop impressed in the distance events as she won the 1,600 in 4:48.29, beating out Danae Rivers.

"I was feeling really nervous because I don't normally lead in races," Drop said. "But i knew she (Rivers) had that kick so i couldn' just wait until the end."

Drop came back and finished runner-up in the 3,200 in 10:37.84.

On a hot day near 90 degree weather, Drop was pleased with her time, and looking forward to New Englands.

"It tells me (my 1,600 time) I can definitely go faster and hopefully I will," Drop said.

Greenwich sophomore Emily Philippides won the 800 in 2:11.90.

Glastonbury's 4x800 team of Morocca Wiley, Kristin Hughes, Allison McArdle and Olivia Allen set an Open record, winning in 9:10.65.