A combination of strong preparation, talent, and everything falling into place at the right time for Newtown High School’s boys’ cross country team led to the Nighthawks celebrating a South-West Conference championship.

This year, it will take all of these elements, plus the emergence of newcomers and less-experienced runners, for the Nighthawks to get back to the SWC’s promised land.

Graduation of several of the team’s top runners leave some fast-moving shoes to fill.

“With what we lost, we took a hit — probably more than anybody with the top five,” Coach Carl Strait, referring to some of his fastest runners from a year ago.

That said, Strait believes his team should be among the top few teams in the conference, targeting a third-place finish, and gives it a chance — if everything goes well — of being in contention for another title.

“I think we have a lot of talent,” said Strait, who is joined by assistant and former New Milford standout Jen Marden, a certified personal trainer who will help raise the fitness level of the Hawk harriers.

“The championship last year proves to the kids that if you work hard and set common goals, anything’s possible,” Strait said.

This year’s captains are Jon Nahmias, Evan Hildenbrand, Nick Jacobs, and Alex Wong. Other key returnees include Max Bloomquist and Jack Kuligowski

Strait said his roster of 60 is the biggest Newtown’s program has had and the largest in the SWC this season. Cross country is a sport of inclusion, and Strait said it is nice to give all students who are interested a chance to be a part of the group.

“It says something. Kids want to be a part of something,” the coach said of the large roster, which grew, in part, due to last year’s run to the pinnacle, along with a cross country program being established at the middle school and the growth of the Nutmeg Striders program.

“You never know what you’re going to get out of some kids. It’s like planting seeds in the garden,” Strait said.

One of the newcomers is senior Justin Halmose, who ran track in the spring. Halmose, also a goaltender on the hockey team; won the Run4Hunger 5K, his first race; and then took the top spot in the Rooster Run late this past spring/early Summer.

Pomperaug of Southbury, which has finished runner-up in the SWC four years in a row, is loaded with returning talent and, in Strait’s eyes, is the team to overcome this go-around. Brookfield and Joel Barlow of Redding should also be tough, the coach expects.

How the Nighthawks stack up against their counterparts remains to be seen. Newtown’s runners can only control their own times, and Strait is hopeful that his team’s preseason preparation is enough to overcome the rest of the talent and speed in the conference.

“Championships are made in the summer, not made in the fall,” Strait said.

The Nighthawks will begin the season with a visit to Weston to face the host Trojans, along with New Milford and Kolbe Cathedral of Bridgeport, on Tuesday, September 11.

The first home meet, on the trails of Fairfield Hills adjacent to Reed School, is Monday, September 17, when Stratford and Joel Barlow of Redding visit. The Hawks host Bunnell of Stratford, Brookfield, and Masuk of Monroe on Tuesday, September 25.

On Tuesday, October 2, NHS visits New Fairfield to take on the Rebels and Notre Dame-Fairfield. The Hawks conclude the regular slate with an anticipated tough test on Tuesday, October 9, at Bethel High, against Bethel, Pomperaug, and Immaculate of Danbury. All meets — home and away — are scheduled to begin at 5 pm.

The Wednesday, October 17 SWC championship meet at Bethel will begin at 4:35 pm.