Linked Up – Winter Championships 2018

Notre Dame-Fairfield celebrates the program’s first boys basketball state title. Brian A. Pounds – Hearst CT Media.

Just like that, it’s over. Thirty-seven stories and a month or so after it started, the 2018 winter championship season has come to a close. From track to basketball, gymnastics to hockey all the championship stories are right here in one place. Relive another wonderful championship season. Kudos to all the athletes who took part and thanks to the media for covering the championships with aplomb.

For those unfamiliar (or simply as a reminder for those who are previously familiar) Linked Up Championships will provide a link to the local media story for all of the CIAC Championships over the course of the season. Following each championship event this page will be updated with links to all the completed championships, providing a one-stop shop for anyone looking for great stories on championship-winning teams. For more championship information be sure to check out the CIAC Tournament Central page. And check back often for more championship stories here.

Boys Basketball:

From the Connecticut Post: After several years of close calls, Notre Dame-Fairfield finally has its state title with a thrilling win in Division I.
From The Day of New London: Each team member had a hand in Waterford’s Division III championship victory.
From the Connecticut Post: A remarkable turnaround culminated in a Division IV crown for Kolbe Cathedral.
From GameTimeCT: A strong performances earned a rare smile from its coach as Cromwell won the Division V championship.
From the Danbury News Times: Immaculate got a lead and wouldn’t let go as it secured the Division II title.

East Haven players embrace after their dramatic Class M victory. Christian Abraham – Hearst CT Media.

Girls Basketball:

From the Hartford Courant: Some sharp shooting and an aggressive mindset helped RHAM earn the Class L crown.
From GameTimeCT: A wild comeback and a dramatic finish saw East Haven win Class M for its first title.
From GameTimeCT: Coginchaug did what it set out to do, and came away with the Class S Championship.
From GameTimeCT: It took quite a few shots, but Mercy converted more than enough to capture the Class LL title.

The Eastern CT Eagles celebrate the program’s first state title. Sarah Gordon – The Day of New London.

Ice Hockey:

From The Day of New London: The Eastern CT Eagles began to believe, and now they celebrate a Division III championship.
From the Hartford Courant: It has been awhile since a trip to a final, but Farmington Valley made the most of it by claiming the Division II crown.
From GameTimeCT: After two rough periods, the third belonged to Fairfield Prep which rallied to capture the Division I title.

Greenwich celebrates its State Open Championship. Catherine Avalone – Hearst CT Media.

Boys Swimming & Diving:

From the Greenwich Time: For the second year in a row it went to the wire, with the same result as Greenwich claimed another State Open.
From the Norwalk Hour: A perfect season had a perfect ending for Norwalk’s Kevin Bradley as he claimed the Open Diving crown.
From the Danbury News Times: A classic rivalry continued and Brookfield prevailed to win the Class S Championship.
From the Stamford Advocate: Depth was on display with Darien earning the Class L crown.
From the Norwalk Hour: It was a team effort and a familiar result as Weston captured the title in Class M.
From the Greenwich Time: The beat goes on for Greenwich swimming with the Cardinals claiming a sixth-straight LL title.

Greenwich stands atop the podium after capturing the State Open title. John Nash – Hearst CT Media.

Gymnastics:

From the Greenwich Time: Even a stumble from its top performer didn’t slow Greenwich’s championship trifecta as it earned the State Open crown.
From the Greenwich Time: Greenwich knew it had more work to do after its FCIAC title, and that resulted in another Class LL championship.
From the Norwich Bulletin: It was an atypical start, but a typical finish as Woodstock Academy captured the Class S crown once again.
From the Wilton Bulletin: Wilton ended a long championship run and captured its first state title since 2009 with a victory in Class M.

Foran celebrates its Class M wrestling championship. Bill Bloxsom – Hersam Acorn.

Wrestling:

From the Danbury News Times: In what looked on paper like a rebuilding year, Danbury ended the season in the familiar spot as Open champions.
From the Milford Mirror: Foran’s Class M championship had its coach shaking his head in disbelief.
From the Bristol Press: A second-straight Class L championship had Bristol Eastern covering the gymnasium in blue.
From the Danbury News Times: Six wrestlers reaching the finals was more than enough for Danbury to claim another Class LL title.
From the Norwich Bulletin: Windham was fueled by last year’s disappointment in earning this year’s Class S championship.

Genevieve DeWinter earned a win in the 600 to help Greenwich to the program’s first indoor track title. Peter Hvizdak – Hearst CT Media.

Girls Indoor Track & Field:

From the Greenwich Time: One week after winning a first indoor title, Greenwich topped it by capturing its first Indoor State Open.
From the Greenwich Time: Shaking off a disappointing start, Greenwich responded to claim its first indoor championship in LL.
From the Hartford Courant:: Bloomfield maintained its impressive streak with another championship in Class S.
From GameTimeCT: Hillhouse started fast and never looked back in earning the Class M championship.
From the Hartford Courant: Led by some young stars, Windsor continued its run of success with a title in Class L.

The Derby boys indoor track & field team poses with its Class S championship plaque. Via @Nej2575 on twitter and GameTimeCT.

Boys Indoor Track & Field:

From GameTimeCT: It came down to the last event, but Danbury ultimately came away with a third-straight Open title.
From the Waterbury Republican American: Derby needed a lot of personal bests — and got them en route to claiming the Class S title.
From the Hartford Courant: Hall did exactly what it set out to do in repeating as Class L champions.
From the Danbury News Times: The Class LL championship plaque will find its home at Danbury along with some other recent friends.
From GameTimeCT: From the very beginning Hillhouse was in control and claimed the Class M title.