Instead Of Wickham Park, Connecticut's Best Teams And Individuals Concluded Their Seasons At Conference Meets That Took The Place Of State Open

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

The fall months for high school cross country teams in Connecticut usually point to a trip to Wickham Park in Manchester and a challenging 3.1-mile course known for its picturesque views of Hartford and mentally grueling hill formidably labeled “The Green Monster” by runners.

But as 2020 evolved with the global spread of the Coronavirus, the semblance of a normal cross country season for prep runners morphed into something new. While there were no big invitationals, class championships or State Open at Wickham Park, teams across the state were left to find their own sense of closure on the season. 

“It was weird ending it all at the SWC (South-West Conference) meet. Not seeing Wickham Park for the state meets or the usual invitationals was bizarre as well,” Pomperaug High head coach Mark Goodwin said. “From the start we stressed, ‘Take it one day at a time.’ We also reminded them (runners) daily of making the right choices (mask, distancing, small groups, washing hands). Towards the end, some schools were made to sit out. We kept our fingers crossed. On the last day, we could not wait to get on the bus to leave for The SWC meet.”

For Pomperaug’s All-American runner Kate Wiser, who is committed to run next year at the University of Notre Dame, the Nov. 6 season finale consisted of a separated divisional conference championship, where she won her fourth straight SWC title and broke her own course record at Bethel High in a time of  17:16.78.

Like Pomperaug, many teams ended their season with regional race where it was easier to control the number of competitors. While Greenwich senior Mari Noble, the defending girls State Open champion, didn’t get a chance at a repeat title, she did end the season on a high note. At the Fairfield County Interscholastic Conference West Regional Championships on Nov. 4, she finished first on the 2.4-mile course (14:26) and guided the Cardinals to a team title. 

“This year the conference meet felt much more like the State Open,” Greenwich coach Evan Dubin said. “There was definitely more tension in the air as everyone knew it was the last regular race of the season.  It was harder than the conference meet usually is, but there was also a sense of joy to have a meet that was more than two teams competing.” 

At Xavier, an all-boys school in Middletown that represented the state at Nike Cross Nationals in 2017 and won back to back Class L titles, the conference meet was a chance for a young but talented team to take a chance during a season that wasn’t guaranteed. The Southern Connecticut Conference race was split into four divisional races for safety and numbers reasons. The results were combined to determine an overall individual champion. Xavier junior Eamon Burke clocked the fastest time for any boy on the 5,000-meter course, running 16:26. Teammate and fellow junior Brody Santagata was second overall in 16:50.  

“We used the conference championship meet to focus on more granular goals, such as trying a new racing strategy, or keying off an opponent that had beaten us during the regular season,” Xavier head coach Chris Stonier said. “After all, there was nothing to lose if things didn't work out as planned. In the end, most of the athletes were successful in their goals for the day and we were able to capture our fifth consecutive team title, while Eamon and Brody impressed with a 1-2 finish. Of course, we were very thankful to Al Carbone and the Southern Connecticut Conference for making sure that the athletes got the opportunity to step on the line and compete.”

In the Central Connecticut Conference, it was a similar setup with divisional races and different sites utilized. Two of the state's best runners -- Gavin Sherry and Aidan Puffer -- competed separately. Puffer, a junior from Manchester, won the CCC Region C race at Mansfield Hollow State Park in 15:17.9 on Nov. 7, while Sherry, a junior Conard, competed on Nov. 11 at Hall High, winning the Region A crown in 15:23. 

“While it was a mixed level of emotions for athletes as they adjusted to each day of practicing and competing under the COVID-19 cloud of uncertainty, they all were appreciative of participating in another season or their first season,” said Ron Knapp, the Conard High head boys coach. 

While it wasn’t all stories of success -- some teams reported low attendance and lackluster motivation -- the Eastern Connecticut Conference cancelled its conference championships due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the area. 

Some of the state’s top runners took advantage of the hybrid season and competed in elite races along the way. On Oct. 23, Sherry, his brother Callum, Puffer, Conard’s Chloe Scrimgeour, Walker Beverly of Hall and Manchester’s Sean Barkasy of Manchester all traveled to New York to run at the Big City Invitational at Icahn Stadium. Sherry clocked an unofficial state 3,000-meter record outdoor time of 8:19.21 at the event, while Puffer logged a fast 14:24.18 in the 5,000. 

“The difference this season was that I knew that I would always be on the spot to ‘think outside the box’ to provide a variety of opportunities such that it became a new normal that I incorporated going forward,” Knapp said.  “As evidenced from our performances on our ‘new’ Conard Campus 4k XC course to three track time trials and a few out-of-state track efforts, it was a different season where I was able to provide a suitable level of competition for every athlete.

Gavin Sherry and Puffer are listed as entries in the Northeast High School Club Cross Country Championships, scheduled to be held by 12th Rock in Middletown, N.Y. on Nov. 28. On the girls side, Wiser is listed as well as All-American and 2018 Foot Locker champion Sydney Masciarelli of Marianapolis Prep. 

Despite the unusual season, the sense of desire and joy to be out running and competing, no matter the format, was a sentiment that permeated most running teams. 

“Our team made huge improvements as a team both athletically from their performances, and from a bonding standpoint,” Dubin said. “Knowing how important it was to stay healthy and keep your masks on, there was an overlying sense of needing to think beyond just yourself.  Your team and coaches are counting on you more so than ever before.”    

Added Stonier: “There is power in character; how we choose to focus our attention inward and reflect on ourselves will lead to greater individual and team successes. I am always amazed at the ability of these young men to reflect on their commitment, resilience, discipline and more.”