H.S. cross country: Zichichi leads sweep for Wheeler girls

North Stonington — Sophie Zichichi finished first in a personal-best 20 minutes, 46 seconds Tuesday, helping the Wheeler High School girls' cross country team to a 23-32 win over Fitch and 15-50 wins over Montville and Putnam.Lexie Rivet was fourth overall for the Lions (8-3), with Sophia Gouvea sixth and Ingrid Anderson seventh.Colbie Synhorst (3rd, 22:49) was the top finisher for Fitch, a 16-41 winner over Montville. Montville's Evelyn Granskog was 11th in 24:12. Fitch and Montville both beat Putnam 15-50.In other meets:• Karina Chan finished first in 19:22 and Norwich Free Academy edged Woodstock 25-31 in ECC Division I. Helen Muench was second overall and Paige Brahman fourth for NFA (6-2, 2-2).• Lyman Memorial, led by Hazel DeLucia in 21:34, took the top eight spots as the Bulldogs defeated Tourtellotte (15-50) and Plainfield (15-50). Elizabeth Person finished second in 23:23 for the unbeaten Bulldogs (8-0).• Helena Coury of St. Bernard won the race in 21:11 as the Saints (8-1, 7-1) swept a quad-meet, beating Griswold 26-29 and picking up 15-50 wins over Windham and New London in ECC Division III. Griswold defeated Windham (15-50) and New London (15-50) but lost to St. Bernard 26-29. Ryley Hubert was second overall for the Wolverines (3-7) in 22:22. New London's top finisher was Olivia Benjamin, sixth in 23:30.Boys• Julien Silva was first in 16:49.14, helping Fitch defeat Montville (15-50), Wheeler (18-44) and Putnam (15-50). Evan Vitagliano (2nd) and Shea Cahill (4th) finished in the top five for the Falcons (5-4). Yomilex Ramirex (8th) helped Montville defeat Wheeler 23-36, while Montville and Wheeler each defeated Putnam 15-50. Trevor Scarchilli was third for Wheeler in a personal best 17:55.• NFA's Patrick Croughwell won the race and broke the course record, formerly held by Luke Anthony of East Lyme. Croughwell ran 16:36, bettering the mark of 16:37, as the Wildcats defeated Woodstock 22-39 in ECC Division I. Anthony Debartolo was third overall for NFA (7-1, 3-1).• Tycen LaBelle finished first in 17:45 to lead Griswold past St. Bernard (15-46), New London (15-50) and Windham (15-49). Sean Silva, Dylan Bailey, Dylan Marchand, Xzavier De La Rosa and Cole Fontaine finished second through sixth for the Wolverines (6-2). St. Bernard defeated Windham (17-40) and New London (15-50), while Windham also defeated New London (15-50). Rod Tanksley was the top finisher for St. Bernard (6-3) while Troy McKelvin Jr. was the top runner for New London (0-9).• Lyman Memorial defeated Plainfield (21-38) and Tourtellotte (15-50). Oliver Gatti (19:17) and Kellen Johnson (19:31) finished second and third for Lyman (8-0). Plainfield's Owen Pothier won the meet in 18:48.