Wilton’s Madison Peraino and Annika Sheehan qualified for the semifinals, along with Weston’s Kathleen Murphy. They run for the Connecticut Elite, which is based in Wilton. The semifinals are scheduled for Dec. 22.
In the high school 800 meters, Peraino qualified with a time of 2:30.1 and Sheehan in 2:29.7. This is the first time for each runner competing in the games. Six girls finished within one second in their 800-meter heat.
"Competition at the games is pretty fierce and Madison and Annika did very well as only 19 out of several hundred girls even qualified for the semis,’’ coach Kevin Foley said. Both girls will run for the Wilton High School team this indoor season.
In the middle school event, Murphy qualified by winning one of the seeded 1,500-meter heats in the second week of competition. Murphy won the heat and a place in the semifinals with a personal best time of 5:13.2, more than six seconds better than her previous PR.
"She just ran a tremendous race from start to finish. Kathleen was patient when had to be and took control of the race at just the right time.,’’ Foley said.
Murphy has qualified for the New Balance Indoor Nationals Junior High School mile and intends to compete. She attends Weston Middle School and will train and compete with Connecticut Elite through the indoor season.
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