The Nonnewaug girls and Shepaug boys won the Berkshire League cross country titles Thursday in the annual meet held at Black Rock Park.

The results:

BL CHAMPIONSHIPS

at Black Rock State Park (3.1 miles)

Girls

Team results: 1. Nonnewaug 49; 2. Lewis Mills 60; 3. Housatonic Valley 68; 4. Shepaug Valley 102; 5: Thomaston 123; 6. Northwestern Regional 153; 7. Litchfield 163; 8. Terryville 189; 9. Gilbert 269

Individual results: 1. Sammi Breier, Thomaston, 20:18; 2. Mari Cullen, Housatonic, 20:47; 3. Kaitlin Sulek, Lewis Mills, 20:51; 4. Hanna Gegory, Nonnewaug, 20:53; 5. Sarah Woodward, Nonnewaug, 21:00; 6. Elizabeth Krenicky, Lewis Mills, 21:19; 7. Christina Gubetta, Northwestern, 21:22; 8. Eve Cullerton, Housatonic, 21:25; 9. Jacquelin Berger, Nonnewaug, 21:56; 10. Lauren Bresson, Shepaug Valley, 22:10; 11. Sophie Zipoli, Lewis Mills, 22:11; 12. Nicole Crockett, Lewis Mills, 22:14; 13. Charlotte Eberhardt, Thomaston, 22:15; 14. Brooke Andrew, Nonnewaug, 22:22; 15. Tia Phon, Shepaug Valley, 22:42.

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Boys

Team results: 1. Shepaug Valley 36; 2. Northwestern Regional 60; 3. Thomaston 92; 4. Litchfield 117; 5. Lewis Mills 130; 6. Terryville 136; 7. Nonnewaug 157; 8. Wamogo 207; 9. Gilbert 280; 10. Housatonic 317.

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Individual results: 1. Peter Bakker, Northwestern Regional, 16:34; 2. Gavin Woodward, Northwestern, 17:02; 3. Connor Levins, Terryville, 17:06; 4. Erik Quist, Shepaug Valley, 17:07; 5. Ed Wolfe, Shepaug Valley, 17:15; 6. Sean Parker, Shepaug Valley, 17:20; 7. Noe Gaudette, Thomaston, 17:46; 8. Brandon Leclair, Wamogo, 17:50; 9. Chandler Wetherbee, Shepaug Valley, 17:51; 10. Conor Courtney, Litchfield, 17:51; 11. D.J. Geissinger, Nonnewaug, 17:58; 12. Sean Welsh, Shepaug Valley, 18:00.1; 13. Corey Pickard, Terryville, 18:00.7; 14. Quinton Walsh, Shepaug Valley, 18:06.3; 15. Stephen Scougall, Thomaston, 18:06.8

Conference championships in cross country were held across the state this week, and we have the full results here:

Berkshire League

SWC meet

SCC meet

NVL meet

There were some great performances at the BL cross country championships. Here are some photos from the day:

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By RICK WILSON

WATERTOWN — Northwestern’s Peter Bakker ran alone while Shepaug ran together. Different championships, similar brilliance.
Both Bakker and Shepaug put their swift feet on display Thursday afternoon, capturing Berkshire League boys cross country titles in high style.
Start with Bakker. The defending champion was the favorite, but there figured to be challengers. They were going to come after him. Would’ve, should’ve and could’ve. Bakker ran one race; everybody else ran another.
The Highlanders’ senior roared around Black Rock State Park’s 3.1-mile layout in 16:34, well ahead of teammate Gavin Woodward, who posted a 17:02 time despite a fall during his run. Terryville’s Connor Levins was third in 17:06.
“I expected a tight race, like it’s been all season,” said Bakker, who is considering Central Connecticut, Southern Connecticut, Stony Brook, New England College and Utica among his college choices. “Like I said last year, you train hard over the summer and train harder during the season.”

Northwestern’s Peter Bakker races to the finish line during the Berkshire League XC championships at Black Rock State Park on Thursday. Bakker was the boys first place finisher. Christopher Massa Republican-American

Bakker came out hard, took the lead just a little over a mile into the race, then ran away and hid.
“I wanted 16 (minutes) flat,” said Bakker, referring to the course record set in 2007 by Thomaston’s Rich Klauber.
Bakker’s feet also got some motivation from an agile mind as he geared himself to become a two-time winner.
“I really believe in Billy Mills training,” said Bakker. “The subconscious mind cannot tell the difference between image and reality. I was mentally prepared.”
One thing was for sure: Nobody was catching him on this day.
Shepaug, a 36-60 winner over second-place Northwestern, earned its time on the stage with Bakker. Just a year ago, the Spartans had high hopes dashed when six of their top seven runners were suspended right before the meet for a “team issue.”
This time around, the Spartans were ready, with four runners in the top 10. Erik Quist led the way with a fourth-place finish followed by Ed Wolfe (fifth), Sean Parker (sixth) and Chandler Wetherbee (ninth).
“The team’s demeanor this whole season reflected their effort,” said coach Tom Scarola. “They wanted to see how well they could do. They really wanted to compete today and that is hard to bottle. They talked about planning a strong effort. We knew Northwestern would be a formidable opponent, and our team responded to the race.”
The Spartans regrouped after last year’s BL meet to win the Class S state title a week later. But the experience of a year ago wasn’t lost on them.
“We still wanted to redeem ourselves,” said Quist. “We were so much more committed. We were not fooling around anymore. We were doing what needed to be done.”
Quist also gave notice that there could be another state title in the offing next week. As good as Thursday’s effort was, he said it could be better.
“The effort today? It wasn’t a 10 effort,” said Quist. “But it was a good 9.5 effort.”
A championship effort.

Alex Abraham posted a time of 17:01 over a 3.1-mile course at Bethel and took sixth place Wednesday to lead Pomperaug to a second-place overall finish at the South-West Conference cross country championships.
“Alex Abraham is always solid,” said Panther coach Mark Goodwin. “The team ran a pretty good race. We were pleased.”
Brookfield’s Tommy Consalvo won boys individual honors in 16:31, while New Milford (56 points) earned the boys team title. Pomperaug finished with 86.
For the Panthers, Michael Schenk took 10th in 17:20, Mason Fitzpatrick 21st (17:46), Scott Gaffney 23rd (17:49) and Christopher Holguin 26th (17:54).
“We had some kids who ran very well compared to last year,” added Goodwin. “Michael Schenk and Mason Fitzpatrick improved a great deal from last year.”
On the girls side, the Panthers (51 points) also finished second, behind Newtown (35).
“It was a really good experience for us,” said Goodwin. “We had a freshman (Nina Koobatian) who ran very well. Our three seniors (Michaela Meyer, Allison Meyer and Sara Tarascio) ran well, and we had another freshman (Katie Schenk) who was 10th. They were very solid, and their leadership came through.”
Koobatian finished eighth (20:36), Michaela Meyer ninth (20:47), Schenk 10th (20:49), Tarascio 11th (20:55) and Allison Meyer 13th (21:04).
“We had everybody in the top 13,” noted Goodwin. “Usually, that’s going to win.”

The Cheshire High girls team ran to a second-place finish at the Southern Connecticut Conference cross country championships at Hammonasset State Park on Thursday. Cheshire’s 104 points trailed only Amity (82).
Mackenzie Pias of Mercy won the race in 18:29, while Cheshire was led by Lauren Daddi (fourth, 19:43), Hannah Na (10th, 22:48) and Hannah Cremo (11th, 22:54).
The Cheshire boys (115 points) finished fourth, while Amity (46) also took the boys team title. Fairfield Prep’s Andrew Thompson (15:44) won the race, and the Rams were paced by Henry Klarman (seventh place, 17:45).

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By RICK WILSON

WATERTOWN — As far as Thomaston High’s Sammi Breier was concerned, the outcome of Thursday’s Berkshire League girls cross country championship race was up to her. Nobody else but her.
“I just thought to myself that if I don’t come in first, I didn’t try hard enough,” said Breier.
On a balmy fall day, Breier ran hard enough to post a personal-best time of 20:18 over the 3.1-mile Black Rock State Park course to cruise to a 29-second win and her second straight league championship.
Nonnewaug came through with a powerful performance to win its second consecutive team title, outrunning Lewis Mills, 49-60.
Thomaston used to dominate the girls’ race, winning seven straight titles from 2006-2013. That run is over, but Breier is punctuating a new streak. Her two wins along with Sabrina Olsen’s back-to-back wins in 2012 and 2013 give the Bears four straight individual titles.

Thomaston’s Sammi Breier races to the finish line during the Berkshire League XC championships at Black Rock State Park on Thursday. Breier was the girls first place finisher. Christopher Massa Republican-American

Despite her defending champion status and eventual margin of victory, this win was not easy for Breier. Midway through the race, she was in the middle of a half-dozen runners. Part of it was by design.
“I started out slower today; the last time I came out too fast,” said Breier. “I just paced myself and then said to just pick it up. A little after the halfway point, I took the lead.”
And she kept adding to it. Breier came down the last leg toward the finish line a lone figure accompanied only by the cheers of fans lining the course. Her closest competitor was Housatonic’s Mari Cullerton, who posted a time of 20:47.
“I knew I had to win,” said Breier. “Hannah Gregory (of Nonnewaug) is a good runner who picked up her time this year.”
Kaitlin Sulek of Lewis Mills finished third with Gregory fourth (20:53).
The big drama of the day was supposed to be in the team race between undefeated Housatonic and Nonnewaug.
The Mountaineers had nipped the Chiefs by one point during a regular-season meet, and a finish-line frenzy was expected.
It never happened.
Spurred on by Gregory, Nonnewaug received strong performances from Sarah Woodward (fifth),

Jacqueline Berger (ninth) and Brooke Andrew (14th) to flash by Lewis Mills (60 points) and Housatonic (68).
“It’s just awesome,” said coach Arleigh Duff. “They all stepped up. When we went up (to Housatonic), we had just come back from the Windham Invitational and we didn’t have our third girl, Iris Stumpf. I’ve always felt confident with this team because I’ve seen how they are progressing. I wasn’t worried when we lost by one point; it just seemed like we were off that day. I’m just thrilled. These kids have come a long way.”
Nonnewaug’s path to the title was made somewhat easier by some unfortunate circumstances for Housatonic. The Mountaineers’ Emily Sullivan did not run, and Maggie Sullivan collapsed during the race and was being attended to at the end.
Lewis Mills placed four runners in the top 11, led by Kaitlin Sulek’s sixth-place finish to put some pressure on Nonnewaug.

By RICK WILSON

MANCHESTER — It is not hard to find the Shepaug High boys amid the brightly splashed high school tents dominating the bucolic landscape at Wickham Park for the state cross country championships. Just find the highest hill overlooking the expanse, and that’s where you will find coach Tom Scarola’s team parked in its usual spot.
It is equally easy to find the Spartans when it comes to results. You never have to look far for the state champion. Saturday, the Spartans were alone (again) on more than one hill.
For the second straight year, Shepaug cruised to the Class S title with a resounding 43-92 victory over second-place Bolton.
The Spartans’ effort highlighted a solid day for area teams and runners. Led by Ivy Walker’s third-place finish, the Pomperaug girls were runner-up in Class L while the Panther boys came in third with Alexander Abraham placing fifth.
A sixth-place finish from Sarah Woodward helped the Nonnewaug girls to third place in the Class M race. In the Class SS race, Terryville’s Conor Levins place second, covering the 3.1-mile course in 16:50, 25 seconds behind winner Cameron Gerrelts of Haddam-Killingworth.
Berkshire League champion Peter Bakker, of Northwestern, and teammate Gavin Woodward placed third and fourth, respectively, as the Highlanders placed sixth in Class M. Naugatuck’s Mark Zamani was eighth in Class L. BL girls champion Sammi Breier of Thomaston earned an eighth-place finish in Class S.
On a colorful, sunshine-splashed, comfortably crisp day, however, it was Shepaug that demanded the attention. Nine days after cruising to the Berkshire League title, the Spartans treated the Class S field to the same powerful pack display.
The Spartans overwhelmed the finish line, placing three runners in the top 10 and all of their runners in the top 19. Ed Wolfe and Erik Quist led the way, finishing second and third, respectively, followed by Sean Parker (seventh), Sean Welsh (12th) and Chandler Wetherbee (19th).
“This is a good team,” said Wolfe. “It seems like Mr. Scarola always has good teams. This season went like last season should have gone. We lost the BL a year ago because of suspensions, and this year we stayed on top of things. This was a controlled winning effort.”
Scarola earned his ninth boys title in 19 years as coach, a rather impressive average of about one every two years. And while his pride in this season’s team was evident, he started first with the league he comes from.
“This is a testament to the Berkshire League, past and present,” said Scarola. “From the coaches I had, like Ted Alex and Fran Gollow, to the coaches today, like Thomaston’s Mark Olsen and Nonnewaug’s Arleigh Duff. I don’t want to leave out any coaches. Those programs are what you model this program after. So, thank you to them.”
Shepaug kept its feet to the race course this season, learning its lessons from a year ago. The idea of repeating it brought any pressure with it as the favorite was met with disdain. The Spartans came, they ran, they ran away from everybody else.
“I am so proud of this team for staying focused on the task,” said Scarola. “There are a lot of fast kids (in Class S), and our kids responded to the race well to get their places up high. Being a favorite can help or hurt you. These kids used it to help them.”
Scarola, a noted acoustic guitarist, often goes to the back of the bus to sing with his team when he hears them break into song. You can bet he was in the back of the bus Saturday afternoon. Singing away. Singing the song of champions. Again.

Saturday at Wickham Park, Manchester

CLASS LL BOYS
Team results: 1. Amity 93, 2. Staples 106, 3. Danbury 128, 10. Southington 316, 11. Cheshire 317. Top individuals: 1. Eric Vanderels (McMahon) 15:52, 5. Brendan Murray (Cheshire) 16:05.

CLASS LL GIRLS
Team results: 1. Glastonbury 74, 2. Ridgefield 78, 3. Newtown 83, 6. Southington 178, 10. Cheshire 251. Top individuals: 1. Hannah Debalsi (Staples) 18:14, 16. Gabrielle Napoli (Southington) 20:09.

CLASS L BOYS
Team results: 1. New Milford 50, 2. Darien 96, 3. Pomperaug 133, 5. Naugatuck 216, 17. Kennedy 511, 22. Crosby 611. Top individuals: 1. Michael Stoker (South Windsor) 16:25, 5. Alexander Abraham (Pomperaug) 16:39, 8. Mark Zamani (Naugatuck) 16:49, 10. Graden Beasley (Naugatuck), 17:00, 12. Kyle Hotchkiss (Kennedy) 17:03.

CLASS L GIRLS
Team results: 1. E.O. Smith 62, 2. Pomperaug 70, 3. Wilton 101, 17. Naugatuck 437. Top individuals: 1. Mackenzie Pias (Mercy) 19:04, 3. Ivy Walker (Pomperaug), 14. Nina Koobatian (Pomperaug) 20:31, 16. Sara Tarascio (Pomperaug) 20:34, 17. Kathleen Schenk (Pomperaug) 20:37, 20. Allison Meyer (Pomperaug) 20:47.

CLASS MM BOYS
Team results: 1. Guilford 70, 2. E.O. Smith 107, 3. Joel Barlow 147, 24. Torrington 692. Top individuals: 1. Vann Moffett (East Lyme) 16:17.

CLASS MM GIRLS
Team results: 1. Avon 62, 2. RHAM 73, 3. New Fairfield 152. Top individuals: 1. Ryley Higgins (Avon) 19:57.

CLASS M BOYS
Team results: 1. Ledyard 99, 2. Brookfield 106, 3. Tolland 124, 6. Northwestern 142, 12. Lewis Mills 358, 13. Watertown 388, 20. Wolcott 535, 22. Kaynor Tech 594. Top individuals: 1. James Mas (St. Joseph) 16:13, 3. Peter Bakker (Northwestern) 16:28, 4. Gavin Woodward (Northwestern) 16:36.

CLASS M GIRLS
Team results: 1. Tolland 20, 2. Suffield 111, 3. Nonnewaug 131, 5. Watertown 164, 8. Lewis Mills 229, 9. Woodland 242, 12. Northwestern 342, 14. Wolcott 367. Top individuals: 1. Katherine Deloreto (Tolland) 18:34, 6. Sarah Woodward (Nonnewaug) 20:20, 11. Hanna Gregory (Nonnewaug) 20:41, 16. Kelsey Mitchell (Woodland) 21:08, 18. Bethany Ottowitz (Watertown) 21:12, 19. Elizabeth Krenicky (Lewis Mills) 21:12, 20. Kaitlin Sulek (Lewis Mills) 21:17.

CLASS SS BOYS
Team results: 1. Haddam-Killingworth 31, 2. Canton 147, 3. Coginchaug 150, 5. Terryville 189, 6. Woodland 211, 10. Nonnewaug 267, 15. Oxford 388, 17. Seymour 415, 18. Holy Cross 426. Top individuals: 1. Cameron Garrelts (Haddam-Killingworth) 16:25, 2. Connor Levins (Terryville) 16:50, 10. Corey Picard (Terryville) 17:32, 11. D.J. Geissinger-Tut (Nonnewaug) 17:37, 12. Brian Sardinskas (Woodland) 17:41, 14. Ethan Lafrance (Oxford) 17:57.

CLASS SS GIRLS
Team results: 1. Haddam-Killingworth 65, 2. Coginchaug 68, 3. Canton 93, 9. Oxford 246, 14. Kaynor Tech 382, 16. Holy Cross 419, 19. Seymour 489. Top individuals: 1. Samantha Drop (Coginchaug) 18:58, 9. Kristen Barbaris (Oxford) 20:21, 18. Hannah Stoveken (Kaynor Tech) 21:17.

CLASS S BOYS
Team results: 1. Shepaug 43, 2. Bolton 92, 3. Lyman Memorial 112, 5. Thomaston 149, 7. Litchfield 164, 11. Wamogo 321, 12. St. paul 384, 14. Derby 411, 18. Gilbert 532, 20. Sacred Heart 558, 25. Housatonic 755. Top individuals: 1. Chris Cassello (Bolton) 16:57, 2. Ed Wolfe (Shepaug) 17:01, 3. Erik Quist (Shepaug) 17:02, 6. Brandon Leclair (Wamogo) 17:16, 7. Sean Parker (Shepaug) 17:22, 12. Sean Welsh (Shepaug) 17:43, 13. Noe Gaudette (Thomaston) 17:48, 15. Steve Scougall (Thomaston) 17:53, 17. Conor Courtney (Litchfield) 17:57, 19. Chandler Wetherbee (Shepaug) 18:02, 20. Quinton Walsh (Shepaug) 18:04.

CLASS S GIRLS
Team results: 1. Immaculate 43, 2. Derby 73, 3. Bolton 137, 5. Housatonic 175, 10. Shepaug 232, 12. Thomaston 274, 13. Sacred Heart 280, 14. Litchfield 382, 16. St. Paul 465, 19. Terryville 506. Top individuals: Angela Saidman (Immaculate) 19:01, 6. Gabby Prizio (Derby) 20:20, 8. Sammi Breier (Thomaston) 20:27, 10. Kiley Rodriguez (Derby) 20:50, 12. Nicole Rizzo (Derby) 21:06, 13. Eve Cullerton (Housatonic) 21:11, 16. Rachel Fleischer (Derby) 21:24, 19. Lauren Bresson (Shepaug) 21:45, 20. Rachel Guay (Sacred Heart) 21:48.

The State Open cross country championships were held Friday at Wickham Park in East Hartford. The best team finish by an area team was the sixth place by the Pomperaug girls.

The top 6 teams and top 25 individuals qualify for the New England meet, that will be held later this month in Vermont.

Team results

Boys

1. Staples 102, 2. Danbury 115, 3. Glastonbury 150, 4. Amity 160, 5. Fairfield Prep 188, 6. Fairfield Warde 200, 7. Haddam-Killingworth 214, 8. New Milford 239, 9. Ridgefield 255, 10. Brookfield 279, 11. Darien 288, 12. Guilford 291, 13. Cheshire 305, 14. Norwich Free Academy 322, 15. Ledyard 364, 16. E.O. Smith 386, 17. Shepaug Valley 389, 18. Southington 393, 19. Bolton 458, 20. Hamden 485, 21. Canton 542

Girls

1. Tolland 97, 2. Glastonbury 131, 3. Ridgefield 152, 4. Staples 171, 5. Newtown 180, 6. Pomperaug 186, 7. Haddam-Killingworth 190, 8. Immaculate 251, 9. E.O. Smith 262, 10. Greenwich 280, 11. Mercy 300, 12. Coginchaug 314, 13. Wilton 315, 14. Avon 327, 15. Southington 334, 16. Simsbury 362, 17. South Windsor 377, 18. RHAM 381, 19. Amity 392, 20. Derby 486, 21. Suffield 520

The Holy Cross boys and girls swept the city cross country championships Friday at Bucks Hill Park in Waterbury.
In the boys race, the Crusaders took the team title with 66 points, followed by Kennedy (70), Crosby (85), Waterbury Career (106) and Sacred Heart (126).
In the girls race, Cross claimed the crown with 37 points, followed by Kaynor Tech (49), Waterbury Career (79), Sacred Heart (83) and Kennedy (128).
For the second consecutive year, Kyle Hotchkiss of Kennedy led all runners on the 3.1-mile course in 16:39.
Wilby’s Bryan Oliviera finished second (17:21), Kaynor Tech’s Terrell Patterson third (17:32), Chase Collegiate’s Dwyer Grimes fourth (17:39) and Chris Flynn led Holy Cross with a fifth-place finish (17:44).
Kaynor Tech’s Hannah Stoveken won the girls title for the second straight year, with a time of 20:26 over 3.1miles.
Sacred Heart saw second- and third-place finishes from Rachel Guay (21:24) and Jenna French (22:00), respectively.
Kaynor Tech’s Jillian Ducham (22:18) and Holy Cross’ Layne Carter (22:22) rounded out the top five.
The top 15 runners qualified for the All-City team.

BOYS CITY CHAMPIONSHIPS
at Bucks Hill Park, 3.1 miles
Team results: 1. Holy Cross 66, 2. Kennedy 70, 3. Crosby 85, 4. WCA 106, 5. Sacred Heart 126, 6. Chase Collegiate 137, 7. Kaynor Tech 153, 8. Wilby 173.
Top 15: Kyle Hotchkiss (Ken) 16:39; Bryan Oliviera (Wil) 17:21; Terrell Patterson (KT) 17:32; Dwyer Grimes (Chase) 17:39; Chris Flynn (HC) 17:44; Christian Milian (Ken) 17:45; Andruw Flemming (SH) 17:55; Lucas Racevicius (HC) 18:00; Johnny Warren (SH) 18:14; Ethan Puc (Chase) 18:24; Jalen Edwards (WCA) 18:30; Sam Henderlite (HC) 18:40; Robert Yuja (Crosby) 18:42; Elijah Lewis (Crosby) 18:50; Donald Cianciolo (Ken) 18:52.

GIRLS CITY CHAMPIONSHIPS
at Bucks Hill Park, 3.1 miles
Team results: 1. Holy Cross 37, 2. Kaynor Tech 49, 3. WCA 79, 4. Sacred Heart 83, 5. Kennedy 128, 6. Chase Collegiate 175, 7. Wilby 202.
Top 15: Hannah Stoveken (KT) 20:26; Rachel Guay (SH) 21:24; Jenna French (SH) 22:00; Jillian Ducham (KT) 22:18; Layne Carter (HC) 22:22; Siena Errichetti (HC) 23:13; Julia Mecca (HC) 23:16; Galvin Brayton (HC) 23:28; Megan Holland (Crosby) 23:44; Jessenia Torres (KT) 23:45; Salma Gudaf (WCA) 23:47; Fiona Xhafi (HC) 24:14; Hennessey Vasquez (WCA) 24:20; Katerina Valente (SH) 24:40; Dominique Dildy (KT) 24:50.

BY ROGER CLEAVELAND

DERBY – The Derby High girls cross country team heads into Wednesday’s Naugatuck Valley League Championships incredibly well prepared to defend last year’s title thanks to both a wealth of experienced successful runners and a youthful infusion of talent.

Senior Kiley Rodriguez, last year’s NVL runner-up, returned this year for the Red Raiders as did juniors Nicole Rizzo and Rachel Fleischer. As if that wasn’t enough, the Red Raiders added three fast freshmen ready to tackle serious training in Sabrina Hanock, Annaly Khanthaphixay and Cassie Battaglino who have all consistently finished among the top six for the team.

“Kiley, Nicole and Rachel have all been on our teams the last two years that have finished as the runner-up in the Class S state meet, so they all have a bit of experience and they have really taken the whole year as kind of a build-up toward the championship season,” Coach Nick DiLuggo said. “So experience definitely plays a big role in our success.

“We definitely have a couple of really good freshmen who are kind of game changers for us, as well. It is kind of a mix of the old and the new.”

The quality depth has clearly allowed the Red Raiders to remain successful while fighting through injuries and illness. Rodriguez, the team’s best overall runner last season, spent the summer battling through plantar fasciitis in her feet so she really hasn’t been able to been able to get up to speed until just recently.

“Nicole (Rizzo) has been our fastest runner all season,” DiLuggo said. “She really came into the season in great shape and has been running fast. She has just been battling a really bad sinus infection the last three weeks. So she didn’t run against Woodland last week. So Sabrina (Hanock) has kind of emerged as our fastest runner. But right now between all three of them they are really, really, really talented so it is kind of cool. We are in a really weird position where we actually really have three No. 1 runners.”

With good depth behind those three, it would appear that the Red Raiders are in a great position to not only repeat as NVL champions but perhaps take the next step up and win a Class S state title this year.

DiLuggo said the team isn’t taking anything for granted. While the returning runners are incredibly motivated to finally get a state title, he’s made sure the girls aren’t looking past some quality competition at the league meet. And there won’t be any holding back to save something for the Class S or State Open meets.

He said there is plenty of talent and good coaches in the league along with some very strong teams. In particular, he said Woodland, which won the title three of the six years previous to last season, and Watertown. Which has been the runner-up each of the last six years, are dangerous teams.

“The one thing I told the girls at practice was that Wednesday is a day where you run really hard,” DiLuggo said. “A lot of our meets have been measured this year and more like training. The girls know that Wednesday is kind of like a preview of what you are going to do the following week at states. We think we are a pretty good team, but our league always has to be taken seriously. We are ready to run fast Wednesday. That’s for sure.”

BY ROGER CLEAVELAND

NAUGATUCK – The highlight of last year’s cross country season for Naugatuck’s Grady Beasley was winning the Naugatuck Valley League championship.

While he considered it quite an accomplishment, it was bittersweet. He felt as though his training regimen caused him to peak too early and didn’t allow him to keep building over the two weeks that followed to allow him to be more successful at the Class L state championships or the State Open meet.

So as the defending champion approaches today’s NVL meet at Watertown’s Veterans Park, he finds himself walking – or running, if you will – a tight rope of sorts. He wants to repeat as league champion, but he has bigger goals in mind for his senior year.

“I am still going to go for the win, but states are more of a big point for me,” Beasley said. “But there are fast guys in the NVLs so we’ll see what happens.”

Although Naugatuck finished the regular season undefeated (14-0), Beasley knows all too well that the Greyhounds narrowly beat Watertown, 27-29, in a home meet, and that both the Indians (12-2) and Woodland (12-2) pose a threat.

Individually, there are also runners like Kyle Hotchkiss of Kennedy, Ken Little of Derby, Bryan Oliveira of Wilby and Ethan LaFrance of Oxford who are all strong.

Despite the talent around the league, Beasley said the Greyhounds’ goal as a team is to place four runners in the top eight and believes they can do it with the likes of David Kerns, Luis Garces, Brandon Thomas and the Via Brothers, Elliot and Ross.

As for himself, he’s hoping to compete for a Class L title and a top 5 finish in the State Open. Naugy coach Bill Hanley said the Greyhounds have not had a lot of runners even qualify for the State Open through the years, but that has changed recently. Last year both Beasley and Mark Zumani advanced to the Open with Beasley finishing 80th and Zumani 107th. The year before Dan Schumacher finished 10th.

“Grady has raced hard every race,” Hanley said. “When you look at the year that Danny went to the Open and did his best time in the Open – he was one of the few kids in the state who got better from his class meet to the Open to New Englands – and Danny spent most of his season training through. It worked well for him, and I think it can for Grady, too.”

Toward that end, Beasley has run a lot more this season and run hard deeper into the schedule to keep himself sharp. He said that he ran 30-40 miles per week last year and cut back drastically in the final two weeks leading up to the NVL meet. This year he’s been running 40-50 miles per week, tapering off only minimally prior to today’s meet.

“Last year I was running not as much distance during the season so I peaked a little earlier than I wanted,” Beasley said. “This year I just have a lot more speed, a lot more endurance and it lets me hold my pace longer. I will slowly start cutting back now but not much. I want my peak to be at the State Open.

“I know a couple guys in the state that I want to run with, and they are up in the top five so that is my goal is to finish the year strong to finish in the top five at the Open.”

For the third straight year and 12th time in program history, the Kaynor Tech girls cross country team won the Constitution State Conference championship Monday at Wickham Park in Manchester.
The Panthers (38 points) were led by sophomore Hannah Stoveken, who won in a time of 22:01 over 3.1 miles.
Wolcott Tech finished second with 61 points, followed by Parish Hill (83).
“It was a tough day today because it was so hot. It was a rough race for everybody, but we just toughed it out,” said Kaynor coach John Snopkowski. “They (Kaynor Tech girls) gave it their all, and I can’t ask for anything more than that.”
The Wildcats were led by third-place finisher Alicia Winn with a time of 24:09.
The top 18 individual finishers earned All-CSC honors, which included Kaynor Tech’s Jill Ducham (5th, 24:39), Jessenia Torres (7th, 25:17), Melanie Sanchez (12th, 26:48), Dominique Dildy (14th, 27:02) and Cassie Couture (15th, 27:07), and Wolcott Tech’s Leah Frazier (8th, 25:21) and Richelle Prince (9th, 25:38).

PATTERSON WINS BOYS TITLE
In the CSC boys championship, Kaynor Tech senior Terrell Patterson won with a time of 18:22. The Panthers took ninth.
“It was a really fast (paced) race, on a very hot day, but he (Patterson) figured it out,” said Kaynor coach Henry Wheelahan. “He went out too fast, but learned that he needed to relax after the first mile or so.”
Last season, Patterson finished 24th with a time of 20:25, two minutes slower than his time Monday.
“He has put a full year of training into this,” said Wheelahan. “He’s proven to be a very dedicated runner.”
Platt Tech took home the team title with 59 points, followed by University (97).

CSC GIRLS CHAMPIONSHIPS
at Wickham Park, 3.1 miles
Team results: 1. Kaynor Tech, 38; 2. Wolcott Tech, 61; 3. Parish Hill, 83; 4. Abbott Tech, 85; 5. University, 121.
Race winner: Hannah Stoveken (KT) 22:01.2.
Kaynor Tech finishers: 1. Stoveken, 22:01.2; 5. Jillian Ducham, 24:39.2; 7. Jessenia Torres, 25:17.0; 12. Melanie Sanchez, 26:48.5; 14. Dominique Dildy, 27:02.9; 15. Cassie Couture, 27:07.1; 21. Natalie Silva, 27:49.8.
Wolcott Tech finishers: 3. Alicia Winn, 24:09.6; 8. Leah Frazier, 25:21.6; 9. Richelle Prince, 25:38.1; 23. Mariah Morin, 28:07.9; 26. Sarah Klotzman, 28:32.2; 53. Courtney Picz, 35:53.5.

CSC BOYS CHAMPIONSHIPS
at Wickham Park, 3.1 miles
Team results: 1. Platt Tech, 59; 2. University, 97; 3. Windham Tech, 113; 4. Parish Hill, 124; 5. Capital Prep, 163; 9. Kaynor Tech, 239; 13. Wolcott Tech, 328.
Race winner: Terrell Patterson (KT) 18:22.3.
Kaynor Tech finishers: 1. Patterson, 18:22.3; 44. Adam Telesca, 21:49.4; 60. Joe Morales, 22:43.0; 65. Steven Ayres, 22:52.3; 69. Matt Runyon, 23:02.5; 72. Scott D’Alisio, 23:25.0.
Wolcott Tech finishers: 39. Ben Koonz, 21:23.1; 45. Zach Koonz, 21:49.7; 75. Jake Knight, 23:46.2; 81. Garrett Barker, 24:28.3; 90. Rey Rodriguez, 25:18.4; 92. Cedar Sobek, 25:28.4; 93. Alvin Cabrerra, 25:41.0.
Note: Top 18 make All-CSC team.

By ROGER CLEAVELAND

WATERTOWN — As one Derby High runner after another approached the finish line exhausted from pushing themselves in the unseasonably warm weather at Wednesday’s Naugatuck Valley League girls cross country

championship at Veterans Park, coach Nick DiLuggo bounced around with a big smile, congratulating the Red Raiders for their exceptional performance.

Led by freshman Sabrina Hanock, the NVL champion and only girl with a time under 20 minutes (19:37.8), the Red Raiders placed five runners in the top 12 to run away with the team title.

“I’m very happy. I didn’t think I was going to get that fast of a time,” Hanock said. “I didn’t think that I could win. I thought maybe the top five or something, but I didn’t think I was going to come in first place. I just think I kept a consistent pace and then I got faster as the mileage went on. So that was good.”

DiLuggo thought the times for all his girls were exceptional. Nicole Rizzo finished second in 20:19.8, despite the fact that she was not only fighting the unseasonably warm temperatures but a sinus infection, as well.

“I have been sick for a while, so I was just trying to finish the race and do the best that I could so I didn’t let anybody down,” Rizzo said.

Kiley Rodriguez and Annaly Khanthaphixay also earned All-NVL honors (top eight) by finishing fifth and sixth, respectively, in times of 20:58.1 and 21:04.9. The Red Raiders’ fifth runner and final scorer toward the team title was Cassie Battaglino (12th, 21:51).

“Considering that it is so hot [Dash] they raced at 3:30 when it was probably 80 degrees [Dash] they really ran good times,” DiLuggo said. “Sabrina’s time would have been right on the winner from last year. Nicole has been sick, so her time was great. Kiley is on the comeback trail, so she had a great run. Annaly was amazing. She picked up so much time. And then Cassie, our fifth runner, cut about a minute off her time. Unreal. It was unreal.”

Derby won the team title, 26-65, over Watertown, which was the league runner-up for the seventh consecutive year. The Indians were led by Bethany Ottowitz in fourth place in 20:41.9 and Sophia Guerrera in 10th in 21.36.6.

Wolcott’s Katherine Rodrigues (third, 20:41.9) and Torrington’s Ariana Santos (seventh, 21:08) and Gabrielle Vega (21:16) rounded out the All-NVL team.

All five Watertown scorers finished in the top 20 with Rebekah Holmes 14th, Alesandria Battaglino 17th and Nicole Defeo 20th. As good as that was, it wasn’t nearly enough to catch the Red Raiders.

“I’m so proud of the team,” said Rodriguez, who is recovered from a summer bout with plantar fasciitis. “I didn’t realize we were this good. To be able to put five in the top 12, that is like incredible. I can’t believe it. I mean, our freshmen are just so good. Then Nicole is so good. I am out of shape, but I guess I was able to pull it together.”

No one was able to put together a day to match what Hanock did. She decided to push herself hard despite the warm weather to see how well she could run on a flat course. She thought for a while that Rizzo might be able to catch her, but she pushed forward and left everyone behind her. So much for only a top-five finish.

“She was just being humble,” DiLuggo said. “Sabrina is really mature. She is a great runner, and she knows what she is doing. All she wants to do is learn about running. She knows how good Nicole, Kiley, Annaly and Cassie are, so she is never going to go out there and say she is going to beat everybody, but she is one of the best runners in the area.

“She ran like a veteran today. I’m very proud of what she did. She was awesome.”

GIRLS RESULTS

Team results: 1. Derby 26, 2. Watertown 65, 3. Woodland 121, 4. Wolcott 132, 5. Torrington 155, 6. Holy Cross 166, 7. Naugatuck 196, 8. St. Paul 202, 9. Sacred Heart 203, 10. WCA 207, 11. Oxford 234, 12. Kennedy 336, 13. Wilby 401

Individual results: 1. Sabrina Hanock (D) 19:37.8; 2. Nicole Rizzo (D) 20:19.8; 3. Katherine Rodrigues (Wol) 20:41.9; 4. Bethany Ottowitz (Wat) 20:41.9; 5. Kiley Rodriguez (D) 20:58.1; 6. Annaly Khanthaphixay (D) 21:04.9; 7. Ariana Santos (T) 21:08.0; 8. Gabrielle Vega (T) 21:16.7; 9. Rachel Guay (SH) 21:29.7; 10. Sophia Guerrera (Wat) 21:36.6; 11. Emma Slavin (Wood) 21:42.1; 12. Cassie Battaglino (D) 21:51.0; 13. Jenna French (SH) 22:03.9; 14. Rebekah Holmes (Wat) 22:08.9; 15. Lauren Stankiewicz (N) 22:10.0; 16. Mackenzie Gould (Wol) 22:15.1; 17. Alesandria Battaglino (Wat) 22:18.8; 18. Emilie Noreika (Wood) 22:19.0; 19. Hannah Latka (O) 22:19.1; 20. Nicole DeFeo (Wat) 22:42.9; 21. Jill Brotherton (Wood) 22:44.2; 22. Layne Carter (HC) 22:47.6; 23. Abby Baker (Wat) 22:52.4; 24. Julia Mecca (HC) 22:58.1; 25. Abigail Lombardi (N) 23:05.8.

By ROGER CLEAVELAND

WATERTOWN — As strong as the Naugatuck High boys cross country team was all fall in finishing undefeated

The junior took on some talented, experienced runners and none of them could keep pace with him at Veterans Park as Little became the NVL champion in only his seventh cross country race.

“I felt I was going to win today because of how all the dual meets went,” Little said. “I won every single dual meet except the first one, when I was disqualified, and I got second at the Wickham (Park Invitational) unseeded race. The only person I didn’t beat by a lot was (defending NVL champion Grady Beasley of Naugatuck).

“I knew I was going to be the favorite coming in. I just had to be confident. And this is the best that I’ve felt all season, honestly. I ran comfortable.”

Beasley finished third, but wasn’t unhappy for several reasons. First, he has been training to peak at the Class L state championship and State Open meets. Second, he knew the Greyhounds were focused enough to win their fourth consecutive NVL team championship.

Beasley led an impressive pack of Greyhounds that placed five runners in the top 17 to easily win, 44-90, over Watertown. Naugatuck had beaten the Indians by only two points in their dual meet a week earlier.

“I just want to do really well in states to get more noticed by colleges,” Beasley said. “The team ran really well as a whole. We had two guys in the top eight, which was a lot better than we thought we were going to do at the beginning of the season. Our fifth guy came in 17th, so that’s really good. We knew it was going to be a tough battle with Watertown and Woodland (third, 94 points), and we all came in performing phenomenally today. We definitely found a lot more today than we did at the Watertown race.”

Dave Kerns (fifth, 17:24) was the other Naugy runner who made the All-NVL team by finishing in the top eight. The other Greyhounds who scored were Ross Via (ninth, 17:46), Luis Garces (14th, 18:06) and Elliot Via (17th, 18:20).

Watertown’s Connor Croke (sixth, 17:30) made the All-NVL team along with Oxford’s Ethan LaFrance (seventh, 17:43) and Holy Cross’ Chris Flynn (eighth, 17:44).

“I believe everybody in the race was suffering from the heat, and they just went in oxygen-debt and they were running on fumes coming to the finish,” Naugatuck coach Bill Hanley said. “I’m very pleased with how it turned out. They were aiming for All-NVL, and even though a few of them came up short, they can’t control what other runners do. Top to bottom, all the guys put their heart and soul into it.

“I think we were blessed with a little depth this year that we don’t normally have, and it carried us today.”

Little, a former basketball player whose middle-distance success in outdoor track last spring caused him to give cross country a try this fall, adhered to some smart race tactics.

“I just wanted to pace off all the good guys and then kick at the end,” Rodriguez said. “I have 400(-meter) speed, because I am a 400 and 800 runner. I know I have a good kick, so I don’t have to worry about getting locked into a pace.”

He closely followed Kennedy’s Kyle Hotchkiss (second, 16:37) and Wilby’s Bryan Oliveira (fourth, 16:48) for the first two miles so that they couldn’t pull away. Then he kicked it into a higher gear and left them behind.

“Me and Kyle set the pace, but the kid from Derby, he used his head rather than his legs,” Oliveira said. “He knew that if we kept going at the pace we were, we would die. We would kill each other. He used us against each other to win himself.”

Hotchkiss couldn’t catch Little once he got passed, but he was pleased with his overall results.

“I came in with a couple of goals, and I set one of them,” Hotchkiss said. “I beat the defending champ from Naugatuck. I didn’t win, but I still have states and I had a big improvement in my time from last year. One (goal) at a time. That’s what I’m thinking about, but I was very pleased.”

NVL CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

at Veterans Memorial Park,

Watertown, 3.1 miles

BOYS

Team results: 1. Naugatuck 44, 2. Watertown 90, 3. Woodland 94, 4. Holy Cross 174, 5. Oxford 176, 6. Derby 180, 7. Kennedy 185, 8. WCA 213, 9. St. Paul 215, 10. Crosby 220, 11. Wolcott 239, 12. Seymour 255, 13.Sacred Heart 323, 14. Torrington 337

Individual results: 1. Ken Little (D) 16:33.0; 2. Kyle Hotchkiss (K) 16:37.7; 3. Grady Beasley (N) 16:43.3; 4. Bryan Oliveira (Wil) 16:48.3; 5. Dave Kerns (N) 17:24.7; 6. Connor Croke (Wat) 17:30.2; 7. Ethan LaFrance (O) 17:43.7; 8. Chris Flynn (HC) 17:44.5; 9. Ross Via (N) 17:46.4; 10. Christian Milian (K) 17:50.8; 11. Early Snyder (Wol) 17:57.1; 12. Kyle Crowell (Wood) 18:00.8; 13. Tyler Roger (Wat) 18:01.2; 14. Luis Garces (N) 18:06.4; 15. Matt Luxeder (Wood) 18:16.8; 16. Ryan Callaghan (D) 18:19.3; 17. Elliott Via (N) 18:20.4; 18. Sam Henderlite (HC) 18:21.1; 19. Trevor Gursky (Wat) 18:22.4; 20. Brandon Thomas (N) 18:23.3; 21. Vincent Constanzo (Wood) 18:23.8; 22. Jalen Edwards (WCA) 18:25.2; 23. Josh Tallcouch (Sey) 18:27.3; 24. Matt Giaquinto (Wood) 18:32.0; 25. Spencer Dodge (Wat) 18:32.8.

The Pomperaug High girls cross country team won the South-West Conference title for the first time since 2012 on Wednesday as Ivy Walker took second with a time of 19:45 over 3.1 miles at Bethel High.
Immaculate’s Angela Saidman won the individual title in 19:27.
For the past three years, the Panthers have been SWC runners-up, but they were able to break through and claim the team title with 30 points.
“It hasn’t been for a lack of trying. We’ve had some good teams, but just haven’t been able to win, and we lost one in a tie breaker,” said Pomperaug coach Mark Goodwin. “It feels good to finally win one.”
Immaculate finished second with 56 points and Newtown third with 87.
The Panthers also received third- and fourth-place finishes from Madison Villa (20:13) and Nina Koobatian (20:38), respectively.
With 100 meters left to run, Emma Cavanagh was in sixth-place for Pomperaug, but failed to finish the race.
Kathleen Schenk took ninth (21:14), Molly Flanagan 12th (21:29) and Ashley Wargo 22nd (22:03).
On the boys side, New Milford (57 points) took the team title ahead of Pomperaug (61 points) for the third consecutive year.
New Milford’s Eli Nahom won the race in 16:34.
The Panthers were led by Scott Gaffney (5th, 17:01), Michael Schenk (11th, 17:30) and Robert Moore (12th, 17:32). Eric Rosenhein (17:39) finished 16th, followed by Mason Fitzpatrick (17:40) in 17th.
The top 12 runners in each race earned All-SWC first-team honors.

SWC CHAMPIONSHIPS
at Bethel, 3.1 miles
GIRLS
Team results: 1. Pomperaug 30, 2. Immaculate 56, 3. Newtown 87, 4. Weston 105, 5. New Milford 142, 6. Masuk 196, 7. New Fairfield 202, 8. Joel Barlow 219, 9. Brookfield 237, 10. Bunnell 241, 11. Bethel 295, 12. Stratford 344, 13. ND-Fairfield 349
Race winner: Angela Saidman (Immaculate) 19:27.12
Pomperaug results: 2. Ivy Walker, 19:45.53; 3. Madison Villa, 20:13.27; 4. Nina Koobatian, 20:38.00; 9. Kathleen Schenk, 21:14.91; 12. Molly Flanagan, 21:29.55; 22. Ashley Wargo, 22:03.53.
BOYS
Team results: 1. New Milford 57, 2. Pomperaug 61, 3. Newtown 108, 4. Joel Barlow 113, 5. Weston 148, 6. Immaculate 180, 7. Brookfield 181, 8. Masuk 198, 9. New Fairfield 213, 10. Bethel 234, 11. Bunnell 301, 12. Stratford 357, 13. ND-Fairfield 380, 14. Kolbe Cathedral 470
Race winner: Eli Nahom (New Milford) 16:34.05
Pomperaug results: 5. Scott Gaffney, 17:01.79; 11. Michael Schenk, 17:30.53; 12. Robert Moore, 17:32.23; 16. Eric Rosenhein, 17:39.82; 17. Mason Fitzpatrick, 17:40.59; 26. Christopher Holguin, 18:09.82; 30. Riley Fitzpatrick, 18:15.66.

By JOHN TORSIELLO Two teams are undefeated as their school buses roll into Thomaston’s Black Rock State Park today for the Berkshire League cross country championships.
Will both remain so and bring along BL titles when those buses roll out of the park as dusk begins to settle?
The meet is scheduled for 4 p.m.
Both the Northwestern boys and Housatonic girls posted 9-0 regular-season marks, but face stiff challenges for the overall championship today.
Last year, Northwestern’s Peter Bakker and Gavin Woodward finished one-two in the boys BL race, yet it was a balanced Shepaug squad that took home the league title.
Northwestern beat Shepaug (8-1) during the dual-meet season this year and will need to do so again today.
If the Spartans can muster the necessary points through strong pack running at the top and out-point the Highlanders to win the meet, they will be BL champs again, as the tie-breaker is who wins the league meet.
Northwestern head coach Allison Beauchene is hoping her club can find the depth it needs to overcome Shepaug this time around.
“We have greater depth in the pack than we have had in the past. The kids have been working very hard, both preseason as well as during the season.
“To win the league, our runners three through seven are going to have to have strong races. They are all really focused on this goal and are looking forward to the race.”
Woodward, a senior, is back to try to win an individual title, while Connor Spencer, a junior, and Sean Labbe, a senior, are the Highlanders’ other top runners.
The Northwestern coach sounded a cautionary note:  “Sean Parker (a senior and sixth individual last year) of Shepaug is at the head of the BL field. He has run some really great races this season.
“Additionally, Shepaug has been able to place a runner between our second and third runners, as has Nonnewaug (7-2).”
The Housatonic girls team had a BL title in its sights last year before an injury to a key runner just prior to the meet and another runner during the event derailed those hopes for the Falls Village squad.
Housy finished third last year, 19 points behind winner Nonnewaug. Housy will have to hold off challenges from Nonnewaug (8-1) and Shepaug (7-2).
Seniors Mari Cullerton, Eve Cullerton and Emily Sullivan have been Housatonic’s top three runners.
Look for strong efforts from Northwestern junior Christina Gubetta, Nonnewaug freshmen Helene Berger and Carly Andrew, and junior Emma Krebs, and Shepaug sophomore Ailene Rosa.
“I believe our team has been so successful because the girls are a cohesive group that share a special bond and chemistry that allows them to push each other hard and act as each other’s biggest cheerleaders,” said Housatonic coach Letitia Garcia-Tripp.
“They compete with each other, but work together to get the job done. The chemistry of this group is unlike any other group I’ve ever had.”
As for what her team has to do to seal the deal today the coach said simply, “We have to win the race, since it counts more than the regular season does. The girls have to stay calm, and give it everything they have and not leave anything for the next day.”

The NVL cross country championships were held Wednesday in Watertown. The Naugatuck boys and Derby girls were the team champions.

• Boys race results, story
• Girls race results, story

Watertown, CT- 19 October 2016-101916CM16- ACTION WOMAN—- Torrington’s Gabrielle Vega competes in the Girls XC championships. Vega was named to the All NVL team after placing 8th. Christopher Massa Republican-American

Shepaug’s Sean Parker is cheered on by spectators during boys Berkshire League Cross Country Championships in Watertown on Thursday. Parker was the overall winner of the race in a time of 16:10. Christopher Massa Republican-American

By RICK WILSON
Republican-American
WATERTOWN — Sometimes sharing the gold works out pretty well, too. So it was in the Berkshire League boys cross country championship held in mild conditions at Black Rock State Park on Thursday afternoon.
Shepaug didn’t run away with the championship, but the Spartans had a champion. Northwestern did not have a champion, but ran away with the championship. If it wasn’t perfect, it was all pretty good.
Shepaug’s Sean Parker bolted away from the field to capture the individual title while undefeated Northwestern dethroned the defending champion Spartans, 43-61, with an impressive pack performance, placing its five runners in the top 15.
Parker outdistanced his closest competitor, Northwestern’s Gavin Woodward, by 48 seconds, calmly cruising the 3.1-mile course in 16:10, just 10 seconds off the course record of 16 minutes flat set by Thomaston’s Rich Klauber in 2007.
Parker saw Woodward early, but, in his words, “after a mile, I stopped seeing him.” Parker was a lone figure on the finish line landscape. The victory did not come as a surprise. He has been the BL’s top runner all season, winning all of his dual and invitational meets except for a sixth-place finish in the Wickham Invitational.
“After training the way I did this summer, the way I came out this season, this is what I hoped for,” said Parker. “I knew if I went and ran my own race I could probably pull it off. I took a minute, 10 seconds off last year’s time.”
Parker admitted the race was a new experience for him in one respect.
“The mental preparation for a race when everyone is hunting for you makes it harder than coming in behind someone,” Parker said. “You have to know that your preparation will get you through the race and trust in your coaches and yourself.”
Woodward also ran a strong race in finishing second for the second year in a row. Last year, departed teammate Peter Bakker took top honors.
“Sean put a lot of work in over the summer. I’m glad to see it work out for him,” said Woodward. “I am pleased with my result. I improved on my time from last year.”
Woodward and his Highlanders were especially pleased to take home the team title. Sam Schiffer (sixth), Connor Spencer (eighth), Sean Labbe (13th) and Brandon Beland (15th) were just too many swift feet for any team to match.
“(Winning the championship) was one of our team goals this year,” said Northwestern coach Allison Beauchene. “They have such good team chemistry.”
“This is one of our strongest teams. There is great team dynamic. I am pleased with the results,” said Woodward. “I am glad to see us come together. We’ve raced Shepaug a bunch of times and we know their runners. So we knew if we got our spots, we would beat them.”
Shepaug entered the meet with an 8-1 record, with its only loss to Northwestern. Nonnewaug, which finished fourth, was 7-2.
Joining Parker and Woodward on the All-BL team (top nine) were Stephen Scougall of Thomaston with a strong third-place finish, Chandler Wetherbee of Shepaug (fourth), Corey Picard of Terryville (fifth), Schiffer, Nick O’Brien of Lewis Mills (seventh), Spencer and Dylan Geissinger of Nonnewaug (ninth).