By Sherri Smith

Losing your number one cross country runner to an injury during the summer does not always provide a positive outlook on the season. Head coach Rich Pesce was forced to begin the season this way, but with the support of his injured senior tri-captain Glenn Stiewing and captains Joe Blanchard and Chris Carolan, the Newtown boys’ cross country team is an impressive 11-1 with one invitational and one conference quad meet left in the season.

“I was very apprehensive, but after the first meet of the season my apprehension was dispelled,” said Pesce. “The kids have worked over the summer, and are dedicated hard working runners and they are realistic about their goals.” No doubt Pesce is wondering what their record would be had a healthy Stiewing run against New Milford, their only loss of the season.

On September 30th, the Newtown Nighthawks swept a conference meet held in Monroe against Masuk, 17-40; Weston, 15-50 and Jonathon Law, 15-50. Less than a week later, Newtown runners recorded another home sweep on October 5th, defeating Immaculate,  25-34, New Fairfield, 20-42 and Pomperaug with a score of 25-36.

Pesce discussed strategies going into this race, wanting his top runners to go out their hardest. Blanchard ran fifth overall in the race with a time of 16:33, followed by Jeff Heller in 16:34. Carolan was edged at the line, finishing eighth overall in 16:35.

Newtown’s pack of five runners placed 10th through 14th with a time difference of 20 seconds. Pesce is encouraging these runners to continue to run as a pack, but move everyone up together in the line-up. In respective order, Ryan Walker ran 10th in 17:39, David Rod, 17:44, Stuart Ratcliff, 17:50, AJ Palmer, 17:50 and Ryan Ignatius ran 18:01.

“It was a tough race, but we did well,” said Carolan. “To be successful we have to move the second pack closer to the first.” Blanchard echoed Carolan’s thoughts, stating their goal was to run with the top of the order. Blanchard, Heller and Carolan did accomplish that goal and now look towards the next meet.

“Overall, I am very pleased with the results,” said Pesce. “Our top three are separated by 2 seconds and our next five by 20 seconds, even though the second pack is considerably behind. Our goal is to move them all up together.”

Newtown competes in the conference again on Thursday, October 21 against Laurelton Hall, Foran and Notre Dame at Lauralton Hall’s park. The team will compete in the Wickham Invitational on Saturday, October 9. Varsity team will run at 2:30pm while the freshmen will compete at 10:25am and the junior varsity will run at 11:15.