Linked Up – Fall Championships 2019

Posted on December 16, 2019 by John Holt

Newtown celebrates its thrilling Class LL championship. Christian Abraham – Hearst CT

It began on October 26 and concluded on December 14. That is the length and breadth of the CIAC fall championship season. Along the way, 39 (well, actually a lot more than that) championship stories were written. And Linked Up – Fall Championship 2019 has those 39 in one convenient place. Anytime a fan wants to relive the the excitement, energy, and emotion of a state title, they can come right here.

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.It provides a one-stop shop for anyone looking for great stories on championship-winning teams.

Football:

From the Danbury News Times: It was an ending that had to be seen to be believed as Newtown claimed the Class LL championship on the final play.
From TheRudenReport.com: An overlooked defense carried the day as St. Joseph prevailed for the Class L title.
From the Meriden Record Journal: Once it got started there was no stopping Sheehan’s offense as the Titans won the Class S crown.
From the Connecticut Post: In Class M, Weston controlled the line of scrimmage and that contributed to the program’s first state title.

Cheshire celebrates its Class LL title with a dip with the plaque. Aaron Flaum – Meriden Record Journal.

Girls Swimming & Diving:

From GameTimeCT: After ending one drought, Cheshire went ahead and ended another by winning the State Open.
From the Greenwich Time: One point was the championship margin as Greenwich’s Regina Frias captured the State Open diving title.
From the Meriden Record Journal: Cheshire adapted quickly to Class LL earning a third-straight title.
From GameTimeCT: Claiming championships has not gotten old for Weston which earned the victory in Class S.
From GameTimeCT: After several runner-up finishes North Haven broke through for the Class M championship.
From GameTimeCT: Darien keeps piling success on success as the team swam to the Class L title.

Guilford celebrates its Class M championship. Susan Lamber – The Courier.

Field Hockey:

From TheRudenReport.com: An early deficit didn’t faze Staples as they rallied to continue their run atop Class L.
From the Hartford Courant: Recent finals losses served as motivation for Granby which came away with the win in Class S.
From Shore Publishing: Perfect was the only word to describe Guilford’s season after the team claimed its Class M title.

Lyman Memorial celebrates its Class S state championship. Pete Paguaga – Hearst CT Media.

Girls Volleyball:

From the Waterbury Republican American: In a match featuring a record-breaking set, Seymour persevered and won the Class M title.
From the Collinsville Press: The Class L championship was the first in program history for Avon.
From the Norwich Bulletin: Volleyball fans across the state no doubt know Lyman Memorial after the team captured another Class S title.
From the Stamford Advocate: The timing could not have been better for Trumbull which played perhaps its best match to win the Class LL crown.

Old Saybrook repeated as Class S champs to send its coach out in style. Pete Paguaga – Hearst CT Media.

Boys Soccer:

From GameTimeCT: A wild overtime session ended with Daniel Hand holding the Class L championship plaque for a fourth-straight year.
From The Day of New London: The celebrations were for everyone as Stonington claimed a tight Class S championship win.
From GameTimeCT: There was some championship symmetry for Old Saybrook coach Sam Barnes as his team repeated as Class S champions.
From We-Ha.com: Hall’s Class LL Championship was an emotional one for the head coach and his son.

Granby celebrates its Class M Championship.

Girls Soccer:

From the Hartford Courant: Glastonbury got redemption for a regular-season loss and earned the Class LL title in the process.
From the Waterbury Republican American: There were a whole lot of firsts as Holy Cross posted a one-goal victory for the Class S Championship.
From the Hartford Courant: A prediction came true for Granby as an offensive onslaught led the Bears to a Class M title.
From GameTimeCT: Guilford capped a good day for area soccer with its come-from-behind-win in Class L.

Hall won its first State Open girls team title, and Greenwich’s Mari Noble crossed the line first. Mark Mirko – Hartford Courant.

Girls Cross Country

From the Hartford Courant: Hall had a plan, and it worked to perfection as the team captured its first State Open.
From Litchfieldcountysports.com: Thomaston captured the Class S title — and earned a coveted town parade.
From We-Ha.com: The Class LL cross country titles belonged to West Hartford (with a particular married couple playing a big part) as Hall earned the girls crown.
From Shore Publishing: In a “pleasant surprise” Haddam-Killingworth followed up a league championship with the Class SS championship.
From the New Canaan Advertiser: New Canaan’s good season went from good to great over the course of about 20 minutes by winning the Class L title.
From the Hartford Courant: In one of the day’s tightest team finishes, E.O. Smith pulled out a narrow win to capture Class MM.
From the Hartford Courant: An impressive sophomore trio helped Tolland to get back to its championship ways in Class M.

Boys Cross Country:

From the Manchester Journal Inquirer: Tolland was not satisfied with an already strong season, and proved it with a State Open title.
From The Day of New London: It might not have been expected, but it was a familiar result as East Lyme ran to a third-straight MM victory.
From the Hartford Courant: Conard got an impressive individual performance from Gavin Sherry and a solid team victory in Class LL.
From the Middletown Press: The names looked very different, but it was a familiar result with Xavier capturing a Class L victory.
From the Hartford Courant: It had been 27 years since East Hampton won a cross country title, a streak that ended with its Class SS victory.
From GameTimeCT: Tolland continued its impressive run in Class M with a fourth-straight title.
From the Hartford Courant: Bolton’s 4th and 5th runners knew what they needed; and then delivered as the team defended its Class S title.