Cross Country Teams Run To Season’s Finish; Runners Earn Team Awards

The Newtown Intermediate/ Middle School  girls’ and boys’ cross country teams concluded the fall season recently and several runners took home team honors as well as state race recognition.

Tri-captains Nick Lafky, Patrick Rowley and Joey Whelan led to the boys’ team to a winning record. Lafky and Rowley each finished first for the team multiple times and Rowley earned the MVP honors. Lafky took on the key role of team leader and was a great influence on the younger runners. Rowley was steady and ended the season by winning his age group race in the Connecticut State AAU championships. Mitch Russo earned the teams sportsmanship award for his constant overall contribution to the team.

Kris Whelan and Chris Manfredi both fifth-graders finished third and fourth in the state AAU age group race and both earned spots at the USATF regional championship in New York. Whelan placed 46thand Manfredi took 80th in this race. Andrew Cragin and Billy Begg each took home a silver medal for  second place finishes in the state AAU age group race.

Nate Steinebrey, Knute Johnson, Aidan Pellison, Sean Kemsley, and Steve Andreau all earned varsity honors this season.

The girls’ team tri-captains Anna Northrup, Kerry Scalon and Molly Begg are all expected to return to a strong team next year. The girls finished this season with an even win-loss record. Northup led the team as MVP with her 10th-place finish in the middle school state championship meet. Scalon was a strong second throughout the season. Begg finished the season by earning a spot at the Regional USATF meet in New York where she was 53rd overall. Jenny Indelicato was the team’s sportsmanship award winner and competed as the team’s No. 2 and 3 runner at intervals throughout the season.

Kelly Coughlin finished in second place at the state AAU age group race and earned her varsity spot on the team this season. Elizabeth Helmig, Maddie Gelinas, Julia Monaco and Cali Nathanson all earned spots on the team’s varsity roster.

Indoor track starts December 15.