Newtown Runners Sixth In New England

By Andy Hutchison

Newtown High School’s boys’ squad placed sixth among 30 teams in the New England Cross County Championships in Cumberland, Maine, on Saturday, November 10. The Nighthawks were led by fourth-place finisher Jake Feinstein and Mitchell Russo, who was 20th in a field of 264 finishers. Both Newtown runners earned All New England honors.

Feinstein finished the 5K race in a time of 16:26.14, narrowly being edged out by Silas Eastman of Fryeburg Academy in Fryeburg, Maine, who crossed the finish line in 16:26.09. The race was won by Staples High of Westport’s Henry Wynne in a time of 16:12.86. Runner-up finisher Trevor Crawley, of Cumberland High in Rhode Island, completed the race in 16:14.21. Russo came across in 16:53.45. Bishop Hendricken High from Rhode Island was the top team in the meet.

Christopher Gamble was Newtown’s third fastest finisher, completing the course in a time of 17:38.15, good for 78th place. Paul Mangiafico finished in 18:02.71, for 122nd, and Rob Russo finished in 18:33.19, for 179th place. Teammates Joey Whelan and Tom Floros, 216th and 245th, respectively, also competed, and brought in times of 18:58.90 and 19:23.20.

Feinstein’s fourth-place finish is the best ever by a Newtown High runner. “Jake cemented himself as the best cross country runner, arguably, in Newtown history,” Newtown Coach Dave Foss said of his senior captain and two-time All New England honoree.

Foss also praised the efforts of Mitchell Russo, who has emerged as a standout this campaign. “He ran a lot and I think he just gained a lot of confidence,” Foss said. “He just got better and better, and better with every race.”

The Newtown coach noted that the course conditions were sloppy after a few inches of snow covered the course and melted and rain fell in the days leading up to the race. “It was a soaking-wet course. It was a mud fest,” Foss said.