After winning the team titles at the FCIAC and CIAC Class LL Championships, Greenwich High School’s girls track and field team continued its exceptional season at the CIAC State Open Championships recently, placing a strong second at the 36-team meet at the Floyd Little Athletic Center in New Haven.

Once again showing their skill, stamina and depth, the Cardinals totaled 55 team points for their second place finish in the team standings. Bloomfield won the State Open title with a team score of 76 points, Windsor placed third behind Greenwich (33 points) and Naugatuck was fourth (26 points). Manchester (20 points) rounded out the top five finishing teams at the ultra-competitive State Open meet.

Greenwich’s 4×400-meter relay team of senior Nina Silver, senior Gemma Hardwick, Margaret McCooe, also a senior and senior Eliana Daplyn won the gold medal at the State Open. The foursome combined for a championship time of 4:02.45. Joel Barlow was the runner-up (4:03.42).

“Our 4×400 relay killed it and I’m so happy we got that win because we have been working really hard this season and I’m so excited to see how these three events go for me again at New Englands,” Hardwick said.

The New England Championships will take place at the Reggie Lewis Athletic Center in Boston tomorrow (Feb. 28th). The Cardinals’ sprint medley relay team of Riley Barber, Chloe Culver, McCooe and Daplyn captured the first place medal in the 1600 sprint medley relay, teaming up for a 4:13.26 finish.

Ella Barber, a sophomore, produced a second place finish in the 55-meter dash for the Cardinals at the State Open, crossing the finish line in 7.24 seconds. Saphyr Brown of Bloomfield was the champion (7,13).

“I’m extremely happy with my PR in the 55 and I’m so proud of all the other girls who competed as well,” Barber said. I’m really excited for New Englands this coming Saturday and I know everyone will do great.”

In the 1600-meter race, GHS sophomore Sophie Passalacqua earned the silver medal. Passalacqua posted a second place time of 4:58.73. Gilbert Chase (Old Lyme-Lyme) won the event in 4:55.13.

Passalacqua also earned a silver medal in the 3200-meter run (10:47.17). Glastonbury’s Lauren Parrett captured the gold medal in the event, clocking in at 10:40.36.

“I’m so happy with both of my performances in the 1600 and 3200, especially getting second in both events,” Passalacqua said. “I’m so proud of our team for being able to finish second overall. We all performed so well and it was great to see so much support from my teammates, although I wasn’t a part of any relays.”

Theresa Knuth, a senior, took fourth in the shot put competition at the State Open for the Cards (38.03.75).

“Shot put was so fun to compete in,” Knuth said. “We had such a competitive and supportive group over there,” Knuth said. “My goal was to put up some far throws and I feel like I executed pretty well, despite a couple of deep fouls. Overall, I’m really excited for one final indoor meet with my team in Boston.”

In the 4×800-meter relay, Greenwich senior Orla Muir, McCooe, sophomore Adrian Bozza and Hardwick were fourth in 9:48.61.

“I’m really proud of our 4×800 team because even though we were missing an important member we still placed fourth and everyone worked super hard,” Hardwick said. “I’m especially proud of my sister Lottie for her first State Open performance. Going into the 600, I wanted to place higher than I did but it was a super competitive field and I’m very happy with my time regardless, especially considering the limited rest I had after the 4×800.”

Ella Barber reflected on competing at the prestigious State Open Championships.

“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such a great team and successful team and I’m especially grateful for the ability to compete at these high level meets with great competition,” Barber said. “Going into LLs, I definitely wasn’t expecting to qualify individually. Running individually at State Opens has definitely led me to grow a new sense of confidence that I didn’t have in the beginning of the season.”