Daniel Hand boys win first Open title, Bloomfield girls roll in Connecticut

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

The Daniel Hand boys track team didn't win a single event Monday afternoon at the Connecticut Track and Field State Open Championships, but in the end it didn't matter.

Led by a runner-up finish from Max Veth in the 400 (48.74) and Michael Burchell's second-place finish in the shot ( 52-2.50) and third in the discus (148-4) the Tigers managed to score 32 points to win the program's first Open title at New Britain's Willow Brook Park. Danbury was second (30) and Seymour was third (29).

"We weren't even trying to win," Hand coach Tim Geary told the Hartford Courant. "We thought top five would be a nice accomplishment."

Weaver senior Mark Doyley won 100 (10.63) and 200 (21.14), while Trumbull senior Tyler Gleen won the 800 in US#20 1:51.09.

On the girls side, Bloomfield repeated as Open champs, scoring an impressive 84 points. Danbury was second (52) and Ridgefield was third (36.50).

Bloomfield senior Brittany Jones won the shot put with a mark of 44-3 and was second in the discus (132-1).

Greenwich junior Emily Philippides won the 800 in 2:12.81, while Hamden junior Aisha Gay claimed the 200 (24.59) and 400 (55.55).

State Champions

State Open

Daniel Hand boys 32 points, Bloomfield girls 84