Ridgefield girls relay team earns All-American honors

NEW YORK - Four Ridgefield High School girls earned All-American honors at the National Scholastic Track Championships, held at the Armory in New York City Friday afternoon.

The Ridgefield distance medley relay finished fifth in that event with a time of 12:07.80. The event was won by Suffern, N.Y., in 11:35.74, which was the second fastest time ever for the event. They were followed by Warwick Valley, New York (11:44.97), Roxbury, New Jersey (11:48.02), Bayshore, New York (11:55.90) and Ridgefield. The top six in each event earn All-American designation.

The Ridgefield team was made up of sophomore Heather Stephens, who ran the 1200 meters leg in 3:46.79. She was followed by seniors Emily Heaslip in the 400 meters (57.82), Katie Murdoch in the 800 meters (2:22.20), and Leah Rosenfeld in the 1600 meters (5:00.10).

The same four girls hold the current Connecticut state indoor record of 12:16.36, which they set last December.

This is the second time they have earned All-American honors, having placed in the top six at the Outdoor Nationals in Greensboro, N.C., last June.

Ridgefield's shuttle hurdle relay of sophomore Jamie Heaslip, freshmen Claire Okrongly and Amelia Wellers, and junior Amy Goodfriend, finished 18th, with a time of 40:83. The event was won by Woodrow Wilson High School of the District of Columbia in 32.02.

Hatters shine: Danbury High sophmore Willie Ahearn finished 10th in the 5000 meters with a time of 15:25.51.

Mark Cimino, a senior, ran the 60 meter dash and is in 12th place after Friday's preliminary round. His time was 6.99.

Both runners set school and FCIAC records in their respective events.

The event runs for two more days.