Xavier Boys Overcome Challenges To Win CT Open Again

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

On the way to winning another state title in Connecticut, the Xavier High boys cross country team overcame adversity this fall.

Thanks to the timely return of junior Robbie Cozean, back from a midseason injury, Xavier was able to defend its title at the Connecticut State Open Championships on Thursday at Wickham Park in Manchester.

"I’m more proud of this victory for the athletes than last year’s,” Xavier coach Chris Stonier told the Hartford Courant. “This was a tougher one. We were battling a lot more questions marks. To come away with a victory with the caliber of teams here – Tolland, Hall, Staples – was great.”

Led by Cozean's third place finish (16:11), Xavier placed three runners in the top 10 and four in the top 15 to score an impressive 75 points. Hall edged out Tolland, 121-122, while Staples placed fourth (123) in a highly competitive team race.

The Falcons, which placed a disappointing third at the Wickham Park Invitational in early October, have rebounded nicely in the championship postseason, winning the Southern Connecticut Conference and Class LL titles. Xavier will head to Manchester, New Hampshire next Saturday to try and defend its New England crown.

New Milford senior Eli Nahom won the boys 5,000-meter individual title, crossing the line in 15:54 on an unseasonably warm day. Conard freshman Gavin Sherry finished second in 16:04.

In the girls race it was all Kate Wiser. The sophomore sensation from Pomperaug won the girls race in 17:59. Her time puts her in a tie for the fifth-fastest ever to run the 5,000 course at Wickham. Wiser joins Hannah DeBalsi, now at Stanford, as the only female runner to break 18 minutes. Runner-up honors went to New Milford freshman Claire Daniels (18:58).

In the girls team race, Danbury pulled off the big win, edging out Immaculate, 115-116 for the team's first ever Open title. The Hatters were paced by senior Lauren Moore's top 10 finish (19:21). Danbury came into the Open winning the FCIAC and Class LL crowns.

RESULTS

Team Champions

Boys - Xavier 75 points

Girls - Danbury 115 points