NEW BRITAIN — Lyman Hall sophomore Thomas Conklin ran a 1:53.55 in the 800 meters at the Class MM Championship Meet at Willow Brook Park on Thursday.

Prior to Thursday’s race, no one had ever run the 800 that fast in a CIAC Class MM outdoor track final.

Problem was, Bristol Eastern senior Jack Mulcunry was on the track alongside Conklin and, in the end, about a half-step ahead of Conklin.

With a time of 1:53.43, Mulcunry got the Class MM gold and the Class MM record by 12/100 of a second.

Both Mulcunry and Conklin eclipsed the old standard of 1:54.95 by well over a second.

For that matter, a third runner also got under the mark, E.O. Smith junior Jack Mattingly, who crossed in 1:54.75.

It was that sort of day for the Lyman Hall boys track team, which placed sixth with its SCC champion 4x400 relay and saw its SCC champion pole vaulter, Chance DeCrescenzo, place second in his signature event at 13 feet, 6 inches.

That was a half foot shy of Branford’s Ryder Kropiwnicki, who needed three tries to bag the 13-6 DeCrescenzo got on his first stab, but then cleared 14 feet on his first attempt at that height while the LH senior went 0-for-3.

But there are exceptions to rules, and Thursday’s exceptional performance was turned in by the younger DeCrescenzo brother, sophomore Lucas, who captured the discus at 153 feet, 2 inches.

This event also saw hold-your-breath drama. Lucas DeCrescenzo landed 153-2 on his fifth of six attempts, then had to sit tight as North Haven senior Ethan Anderson uncorked his final throw and it sailed 153 feet and … zero inches.

Go stand in straightaway center on a Little League baseball field. Bring a ruler. Contemplate two inches while gazing toward home plate.

Next, hold up your hand and measure middle fingertip to wrist. That’s about six inches.

Now take one step forward. Less than that separated first and second place twice around the track in the 800.

On such fine points are championships won and lost.

The Trojans will take their cracks again at Monday’s State Open back at Willow Brook. The DeCrescenzos will be there, Tom Conklin, too.

So will Lyman Hall’s outstanding relays. Conklin, his twin brother Tim, Mike Fisher and Cam Pragano combined on a season-best time of 43.73 to place fifth in the 4x100 before closing the night with their sixth-place 3:28.37 in the 4x400.

Platt was also in the Class MM competition Thursday. Leading the Panthers was senior Dayanara Gonzalez, who placed fourth in the 100 hurdles in 15.88 and led off the fourth-place 4x100 relay.

Gonzalez teamed with Monet Dorrell, Genesis Villatoro and Estrella Delacruz on a time of 50.23.

Delacruz and Dorrell went on to finish 8-9 in the 200 — Delacruz in 26.39, Dorrell in 26.39.

Also for Platt, junior Erin Sola was fifth in pole vault (8-6) and senior Mia Daley was seventh in javelin (95-1).

In discus, Lyman Hall sophomore Megan Klein placed seventh at 89-7. Platt senior Zaria Calloway was right behind her at 89-5. Platt sophomore Briggette Vazquez finished eighth in the 800 in 2:29.33.