Northwestern boys, Housy girls favored in BL XC finals

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.”