By Steve Bigham

Head coach Rich Pesce admits he sometimes sounds like a broken record when talking to his runners about the importance of a good summer workout program. It’s the only way to properly prepare for the fall cross-country season, he says.

And over the years, the kids have listened and their training has helped them achieve greatness. Among them is NHS senior David Rod, a four-year runner, who entered his final season in the best shape of his life.

But it wasn’t just Rod’s conditioning that helped him capture his first-ever first-place finish Tuesday afternoon at home. His brains have to take part of the credit. A smidgen of smarts, some good timing, a touch of home course advantage and a sixth sense appear to be what put Rod over the top.

“David Rod ran an intelligent race today. He always runs intelligently,” said coach Pesce. “He’s always mentally prepared to run a race.”

Running at the front of the pack but just behind New Milford’s Jon Freeman and Bethel’s Ken Hochsprung – Rod suddenly had a sense that he could overtake the two runners. He would have to time it just right, however, and as the runners high stepped it along Oak View Road, Rod made his move and never looked back.

“He realized at a certain point that he was going to be able to make a move and once he made it be able to hold it,” coach Pesce said. “He had a plan. As soon as they race started, he could sense that this was something he could do.”

Rod crossed the finish line in 16 minutes, 15 seconds – a full 19 seconds ahead of Freeman and 29 seconds ahead of Hochsprung.

“I had run against these guys before and I was able to pick up the look Freeman had when he was hurting,” said Rod. “And he looked like he was hurting so I decided to pass him when we came up the hill (from Oak View to the NHS parking lot). He said later that that demoralized him a little and that he was impressed. That was what I was going for. So much of running is self-awareness, but also knowing the course and knowing your opponents. How they all fit together is what’s really necessary to be successful. They all came together well yesterday.”

Newtown’s Dan Maxwell also ran well, finishing fourth overall in 17:01, but it was not enough to lift Newtown over New Milford, which won, 25-34. The local runners did manage to beat Bethel, 26-30, and Joel Barlow, 23-34.

By taking two out of three, Newtown raised its record to 7-2. New Milford and Pomperaug remain the league’s top two teams, but Pesce believes his runners can move up in the rankings at the October 19 SWC meet. For that to happen, guys like () Phillips and Tyler Hull will need to improve on their times from this week. Phillips – capable of running with Rod and Maxwell – finished out of the top 20 Tuesday as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury.

“October 19 is the most important date for us right now. That’s our aim at this point,” coach Pesce said.

Newtown’s Chris DiNoto finished 12th overall (third for Newtown) in 17:54. First-year runner Chris Giacolone was 17th in 18:13, while Ryan Shandley (18:24) and Peter Terrance (18:30) finished 19th and 20th, respectively.

New Milford won the race by taking the 13th, 14th and 15th.

“That little pack really killed us,” coach Pesce said.

Coach Pesce calls his 2001 squad a fragile one, but also one that has the potential to surprise people . . . if things fall into place.

Seven Newtown runners will compete at this weekend’s Wickham Invitational in Manchester before heading to Stratford next Tuesday to compete against Stratford, Weston and Jonathan Law.