Segalla sets records in track

FALLS VILLAGE — In the final stretch of her senior year at Housatonic Valley Regional High School, Sydney Segalla is once again finding success, including setting multiple records.

And she is doing this in a new sport.

Over her four years at Housatonic Valley Regional High School, Segalla has focused her skill on two sports, soccer and basketball.

With soccer, she earned a Division I roster spot at Boston College. On the basketball court, Segalla recently broke into the 1,000 point club, becoming the 10th Mountaineer to do so.

This year however, the Mountaineer star turned her attention to outdoor track, where she runs the 100-, 200- and 400-meter dash.

“In previous years I had been committed to playing soccer, so missing soccer wasn’t really an option and I could never get my ten [track] practices in to be in a meet,” said Segalla, who plays for Connecticut Football Club year-round. “This year soccer is more lenient so I finally had the time.”

While Segalla has the athletic ability to compete and succeed, one of the learning curves she faced was switching from team sports like soccer and basketball to an individual based sport.

“I think it’s more stressful with it just being you. When you win it’s that much better, but when you lose it’s all on you” said Segalla. “It puts more pressure on me to want to do better.”

Regardless, competing in a new sport has not tripped Segalla up in the slightest.  She was named an Berkshire League All-Star as well as not only finishing first in all three of her races, but also setting the CIAC Combined Class S Championship records for the 100-meter and 400-meter dash on May 31.Along with her accolades in Connecticut, Segalla’s time of 52.96 seconds in the 400-meter dash currently ranks third across the nation.

“She’s amazing. I’ve lost words for her. She has such finesse, and she has such athleticism, but she also has that mental toughness.” said Anne MacNeil, Region One athletic director. “For example, she goes to the state track meet, wins all three of her events, sets two records and then goes and plays in a soccer game that night. Who does that? I would be home on the couch but that’s just who she is.”

With her success, Segalla has made her way into the State Open on Monday, June 6, where she will compete against the best athletes in Connecticut, regardless of school category  (the Mountaineers are classified in Class S).

“You could tell I wanted to have fun on certain days, but when I needed to be serious I was serious and put in my effort,” Segalla said of her legacy. She reflected on the people who helped make her achievements possible.

“Anne [MacNeil] has been great throughout all my sports and so encouraging. I know most schools wouldn’t be so lenient and understanding with missing practices before a game to go to a different soccer practice,” Segalla said. “Anne and Steve Dodge and Alan Lovejoy have all been so supportive in my whole sports career.”