The 2025-2026 girls indoor track and season has been one of absolute excellence for Greenwich High School.

The Cardinals were simply the best at the recent CIAC Class LL and FCIAC Championships, using their skill, teamwork, determination and spirit to finish first in the team standings at both ultra-competitive championship meets.

Greenwich captured the team title at the CIAC Class LL Indoor Track and Field Championships at the Floyd Little Athletic Center in convincing fashion, totaling a team score of 87 points. Fairfield Ludlowe, the runner-up in the team standings, finished more than 30 points behind the Cardinals with 56 points, followed by Manchester (52 points). Glastonbury (51 points) and Brien McMahon (32 points) rounded out the top-five teams at the Class LL Championships, which featured 18 teams. Behind numerous outstanding performances, person-record times and season-best times, the Cardinals claimed their first CIAC Class LL team championship since 2018.

“We had a tremendous day at the CIAC Class LL Championship,” Greenwich coach Peter Watson said. “Our success came from so many different places. From the sprints to the distance events, to the throws and especially the relays, highlighting the collective effort to took to surge ahead of five-time defending champion Glastonbury and runner-up Fairfield Ludlowe.”

Indeed, it was truly a team effort for the Cardinals, who showcased their depth and talent throughout the CIAC Class state championship meet. Greenwich’s competitors consistently rose to the important occasion.

“I’m so honored to be a part of such an incredible team,” Greenwich High senior captain Nina Silver said. “It is no easy task to pull off this win and we truly couldn’t have done it without the dedication and hard work from each of our varsity athletes.”

Traditionally exceptional in the relay events, Greenwich scored a lot of points in the relays at the state championship meet. In the 4×200-meter relay, the Cardinals quartet of Silver, sophomore Ella Barber, sophomore Riley Barber and freshman Chloe Culver combined for a time of 1:45.86, good for a third-place finish. They finished narrowly behind champion Manchester (1:45.31) and Hamden (1:45.80).

“The 4x200m relay has been such a fun experience for me to run this year,” Silver said. “The relay is mostly the same from last year, with the addition of Chloe Culver. We have qualified for New Balance Nationals, which I’m so excited for and we have hopes of improving our PR of 1:45.15 at State Opens.”

Senior Orla Muir, senior Margaret McCooe, sophomore Adriana Bozza and senior Gemma Hardwick won the Class LL title in the 4×800 meter relay for Greenwich, combining for a time of 9:48.61. Glastonbury placed second (9:53.54), followed by Trumbull (10:01.34).

“I’m so proud of my 4×800 relay for being so consistent and strong,” Hardwick said. “My fellow senior teammates Orla and Maggie have been some of our strongest runners and we can always rely on them to help bring us to a win.”

“I’m especially proud of my teammate Adriana, who has consistently shown up and run her hardest,” Hardwick continued. “Being a sophomore, it is not easy to run this event among such tough competition, but she showcases the continuing future success the Greenwich team will have in years to come.”

Hardwick claimed the gold medal for GHS in the 600-meter race, crossing the finish line in 1:38.07, while adding 10 important points to the team’s total. Amaira Traynham of Wilbur Cross placed second and Silver took third for the Cardinals (1:40.64).

“I’m so proud of how strong our team is in the 600 event,” Hardwick noted. “Competing with Ellie and Nina is always so fun, especially because we run the 4×400 together later on.”

Silver has been one of Greenwich’s standouts in the 600 throughout the winter season.

“This is my first year running the 600 meters and it’s a big adjustment coming from being a sprinter,” Silver noted. “I find the distance to be really intimidating, but I believe it will give me a good foundation for the 400 meters in outdoor. My teammates, Gemma and Ellie are more experienced in this distance and I’ve really looked up to them during this whole season.”

The 1600-meter race saw Greenwich sophomore Sophie Passalacqua earn the Class LL silver medal with a personal-record time of 5:00.58. Glastonbury’s Lauren Parrett was the 1600 champion (4:56.66.

“Going into the mile, I was more nervous than usual,” Passalacqua said. “I wanted to PR and score points for the team, but I knew that it would be a competitive race with a lot of fast girls. Having my teammates support me and cheer me on helped me so much and I’m so grateful to be part of a group that’s so supportive.”

Greenwich grabbed gold in the 1600 sprint medley relay, with Riley Barber, Culver, McCooe and Ellie Daplyn winning the championship race in 4:18.56. Glastonbury was the runner-up (4:19.58).

Daplyn overcame disappointment, flourishing in the 1600 sprint medley relay event.

“I’m so grateful to God for giving me strength and perspective during this meet,” said Daplyn a team captain. “While I was definitely disappointed by the officials’ decisions regarding the fall in the 600m, I’m determined to learn from it and come back stronger. This meet reminded me to give God glory no matter the outcome and to trust that He is working for my good.”

“I’m especially proud of my teammates, whose perseverance and support made running the relays such a memorable part of the meet,” Daplyn continued. “Anchoring the 1600m sprint medley and the 4×400 with such incredible teammates was a powerful reminder of what hard work, teamwork and faith can accomplish.”

In the 300-meter race, Ella Barber led Greenwich with a fifth-place finish (42.18 seconds). Samiya Eady of Manchester was the champion (40.41). Ella Barber also garnered the silver medal in the 55-meter dash, showing her speed by posting a time of 7.33 seconds. Eady won the event in 7.16 seconds and Riley Barber was sixth for the Cards in 7.42.

“I’m super happy with my results in the 55 and 300,” Ella Barber said. “Competing with my teammates during practice and at meets is a huge factor in my success, mainly because of their support and their ability to push me even when it gets hard. Overall, I think the whole team did extremely well and I’m really excited for the Open and outdoor.”

Passalacqua earned a second-place finish at the Class LL meet in the 3200-meter race (10:53.35). Parrett of Glastonbury was the winner (10:47.94). Greenwich captured another Class LL gold medal in the 4×400-meter relay. Silver, Hardwick, McCooe and Daplyn were first in 4:40.90 (season-best time).

“I’m always confident in our 4×400 relay because our team is so hardworking and consistent,” Hardwick said. “I’m so excited for this success to continue at State Opens.”

Senior captain Theresa Knuth finished second for GHS in Class LL in the shot put competition. Knuth posted a distance of 39-06.50. Fairfield Ludlowe’s Alexandra Lockwood was the champion in the event (40-03.00).

“When I was competing in the shot put I felt a lot less pressure because of the trust I have in our group of girls to perform,” Knuth noted. “I have big goals this season and I am so excited to compete with such great competitors.”

Prior to winning the Class LL state championship, Greenwich earned the FCIAC team championship, which was also held at the Floyd Little Athletic Center. Ella Barber gave Greenwich a second-place finish in the 55-meter dash, clocking in at 7.34 seconds.

“I’m super happy about the team’s win at states and FCIACs,” Barber said. “I think we’re strong this year and have a good shot at performing well at State Opens.”

In the 55-meter hurdles, sophomore Samaya Dawkins was fifth for the Cardinals (9.50 seconds). The FCIAC 300-meter hurdles saw Ella Barber place third (41.83) and Silver take fifth (42.85). Hardwick captured the FCIAC gold medal in the 600-meter race, crossing the finish line in 1:38.45.

Daplyn was the FCIAC champion in the 1000-meter run (2:58.40) and Passalacqua was the runner-up in the 1600 race (5:08.43). Riley Barber, Culver, McCooe and Daplyn earned FCIAC top honors in winning the 1600-meter sprint medley relay (4:17.47) and Passalacqua earned silver in the 3200 (11:06.41).

Greenwich dominated the relays, winning the FCIAC title in the 4×200 (Silver, Ella Barber, Riley Barber, Culver, 1:45.15), the 4×400 (Hardwick, Culver, McCooe, Daplyn, 4:09.64) and the 4×800 (Orla Muir, Bozza, McCooe, Hardwick, 9:46.14).

Knuth also had a second-place showing at FCIACs in the shot put (30-09.00). Greenwich amassed 116 team points at the FCIAC Championships, well ahead of second place New Canaan (65 points).

“Between winning the FCIAC Championship and CIAC Class LL Championship, we have had a fantastic season and now we are looking forward to seeing how we can do at the CIAC State Open Championship on Feb. 21,” Watson said.

Said Daplyn: “I hope our team continues to have fun and encourage one another as we chase our goals.” I trust that God will guide us and continue to bless our efforts, both on and off the track.”