South West Conference Holds 2020 Cross Country Championships

On Friday November 6th the South West Conference presented the 2020 SWC cross country championships at Bethel High School’s Mark Goodwin 5k race course.

The course is described as one of the toughest in Connecticut. Several different surfaces come into play as well as different ground angles and pitches. Runners are faced with natural grass stadium turf, gravel trails, asphalt, and even a rubberized track. The most intimidating factor on this course appears at the one and three-quarter mark where racers face a steep hill known as “the Beast”. A half mile of grass and dirt that wears a racer down. Even the most elite runners struggle with ascending up and over this one.

This day was an absolute gem with azure blue skies, golden sunshine, temperatures in the low 60’s, winds were calm, and a buzz of adrenaline in the air as well. The leaves on the enormous backdrop view were past their peak color. For the SWC racing in November was now a reality.

With school systems having to deal with Covid protection plans, numerous quaratines, and several cancellations due to weather related issues, the SWC presented the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) with a formulated plan which was subsequently approved in order for this race to occur. The Bethel High School athletic community rallied with race staff at numerous points to keep the protocol in order.

To keep within the approved guidelines a total of four races had to take place to stay under the maximum number of runners in each race set at 50.

During the course of the regular season the SWC regionalized the schools into two divisions to keep schools local within the conference. The north and the south divisions were created with each school facing schools within their division multiple times.

All that led up to Friday afternoon with the girls and boys from the South Division running separately in the early session and the girls and boys from the North Division running separately in the later session.

Afterwards race officials were charged with the task of combining the races to determine the girls and boys team champions along with the individual awards of all SWC conference teams.

All that mattered to the teams that gathered was winning the crown of South West Conference Champions and carrying the championship banner. Despite no spectators, a playoff-like atmosphere surrounded the event.

Teams were limited to seven entries and one alternate. The girls races were first in each session.

On the girls side the teams to watch were Joel Barlow from the South, Immaculate, New Fairfield, and New Milford from the North.

Stratford and Bunnell sent two young squads to the starting line. Freshman Jaylen Evans and Isabella Pato were the season best runners for Stratford. Bunnell Sophomores Jocelyn Ciotti Paige Jockers, and Dannah Urban were the Bunnell top runners.

The stage was set for the first race of the day, runners were lined up in their assigned areas at the starting line and without delay the start of the 2020 SWC Championships was underway.

The Joel Barlow girls were off to a strong start with Amber Borofsky taking charge, followed by teammates Ellie Chan and Sydney Borofsky. Weston’s Lianne Saussy was in fourth.

Giving it an all out effort for Bunnell was Ciotti holding down the fifth spot.

Barlow’s Eleanor Walker and Angie Porcaro led the charge in what was shaping up to be a Barlow South Division winner.

Making a statement in this race was Bunnell’s Jockers and Urban not too far behind.

As this race headed towards the “Beast” it was clear that Barlow was in complete control of the top three spots.

Stratford’s Evans and Pato were making gains around the mile and half mark with the “Beast” a short distance away.

Coming in the home stretch it was Barlow holding five of the first seven spots. Sandwiched in between were Saussy and Ciotti.

A. Borofsky took first at 22:21, with Chan second at 23:00, and S. Borofsky third at 23:01.

Saussy fourth at 23:12. Ciotti fifth with an impressive 23:46 finish. Walker sixth at 25:25. Porcaro seventh at 25:43.

Jockers in eighth at 25:54 and Urban ninth at 26:05.

Evans and Pato stayed solid throughout with Evans in at 27:14 and Pato in at 27:16.

Stratford’s Kendall Smith with a valiant effort finished at 27:53.

With the race trickling down, Bunnell was looking at a South Division runner up spot with Madison DeRubis and Meghan Fenton within finishing distance. They were running unopposed and clinched the runner up spot with DeRubis in at 28:38 and Fenton in at 29:16.

Stratford’s lineup saw Isabelle Cola in at 30:57, Katie Coble in at 31:48, and McKenzie Moore in at 33:49.

Rounding out the Bunnell lineup was Morgan Reilly at 32:33.

Moving ahead to the girls North Division race results, the heavy favorite and Notre Dame University bound Kate Wiser, of Pomperaug, led the charge with a girl’s SWC Mark Goodwin course record breaking time of 17:16. The record she broke was her own from last year.

The North Division schools dominated the race times with the top fifteen under the South Division leader, A. Borofsky, (of Barlow) 22:21 mark.

In team racing it became a two team race between New Milford and New Fairfield. New Milford’s Claire Daniels started the scoring between the two teams with a 19:10 finish, which was later determined to be good enough for third overall in the individual standings.

Following her was fourth overall New Fairfield’s Samantha Ruggiero at 20:12.

New Milford took the next two spots between these two as Sydney Kelleher (20:16) and Shae Zeitler (21:00) marched on.

Keeping New Fairfield in it was Ashley Hubert (21:26), Jordan Seimons (22:06),and Jadyn Brenneman (22:08).

New Milford’s Leah Farrell (22:43) was next between these two teams. The next finisher between these two teams would determine the 2020 SWC Champion.

It would be Izzy Greene (23:10) of New Milford, giving the girls of New Milford the winner of the North Division, and after merging the results of the South Division race and the North Division race, the 2020 SWC Girls Championship.

New Fairfield’s Hayley Greco (23:26) gave New Fairfield the North Division runner up award.

The boys South Division race saw a local athlete from Stratford make a bid for SWC First Team All Conference. Bunnell’s Mario Oliva has had a personal best going all season long in a breakout year.

Stratford first year runner, Senior Logan Seaburg, also has had top time and top place finishes all season long.

Weston’s Ryan Rupprecht was the South Division favorite in the individual racing times.

The team favorites were Joel Barlow and Weston.

Race Official Gene Waring sounded the opening blast and race number two on the day was underway.

As predicted Rupprecht went out in front early. Teammate Antoni Maya-Lefort stayed within striking distance followed by Oliva. After that it was four Barlow runners, Calvin Young, Matthias Galban, Aidan Emanuelson, and Ryan Schmid.

Weston’s Cooper Capola and Blake Braun were right there keeping Weston’s hopes alive for a first place South Division title.

Top flight runners were now passed the “Beast”, for first place it was all Rupprecht, followed by Maya-Lefort and Oliva.

Barlow’s Young, Galban, Emanuelson, and Schmid were staying ahead of Weston’s Cooper and Blake.

Rupprecht stayed strong in the number one spot at 17:31.

Second place was an all out sprint with hard charging Oliva gaining ground on Maya-Lefort. Maya-Lefort hangs on by a small margin. Maya-Lefort at 18:06.15, Oliva at 18:06.93.

Barlow runners take the next four places with Young (18:22), Galban (18:29), Emanuelson (18:33), and Schmid (18:39).

Cooper and Braun kept Weston in the hunt for the South Division title.

It would be Barlow’s Alex Czerkawski giving his team the South Division title with a 19:06 finish.

Weston’s Cole Mancinelli (19:20) gave Weston the South Division runner up award.

Stratford’s Seaburg and Joshua Kydes were the first Stratford finishers in 19:50 and 20:33 respectively.

Bunnell’s Jonathan Gulish came in at 20:53.

Stratford’s Amos Colocho with a solid 21:01 finish.

Bunnell’s Vincenzo Fabrizi cruised in at 22:16.

The rest of the Stratford finishers saw James Bragg-Phillips in at 22:21, Ryan Munoz in at 22:52, and Jelani Warburton Baker in at 23:37.

Rounding out the Bunnell finishers were Mondo Fabrizi in at 23:46, Huy Houng in at 26:23, and Gustavo Oliva in at 28:11.

The last race of the day featured the highly competitive North Division schools with New Milford the heavy favorite.

Both Stratford and Bunnell sat back in support of Oliva’s third place finish and possibly being named to the First Team SWC All Conference. At the conclusion of both South Division races all athletes and coaches had to vacate the meet race site. Oliva, and both of the town of Stratford teams would have to wait at home to see if Oliva would achieve SWC first team honors.

Back to the starting line for the start of the North Division boys race.

Individuals to watch were New Fairfield’s Patrick Gibbons, New Milford’s Andrew Taborsak, Bethel’s Lucas Cazzaniga, and Pomperaug’s Joey Bevilacqua.

The North Division race started off in strong fashion with Gibbons and Taborsak out in front. New Milford’s Robert Harkin, Cazzaniga, and Bevilacqua maintained pace.

New Milford was holding five of the first eleven spots. The Greenwave started to outperform the rest of the field through the midway point. New Milford was led by Taborsak, Harkin, add in Conner Delpha, Caleb Cerra, and Ben Daniels.

It was still Gibbons in the overall lead during the race’s final stages. He took the top spot at 17:03.

Taborsak second at 17:14. Harkin third at 17:42. Bethel’s Cazzaniga fourth at 17:54. Pomperaug’s Bevilacqua fifth at 18:07.

New Milford’s Delpha (18:13) and Cerra (18:17) were next. It would be Ben Daniels coming in at 18:30 that sealed the North Division title and gave the Green Wave the 2020 SWC Championship.

Chairman of the SWC Cross Country Committee, Marc Caron, and the race timing officials had to calculate all the races into individual results before first team all conference could be announced.

Later on in the evening, when the final results were posted, Oliva’s time of 18:06 placed him seventh overall in a field of ninety-one finishers. The top twelve finishers are named to the first team. Therefore, by finishing seventh, Oliva was awarded the distinguished honor of 2020 SWC First Team All Conference.

Up next, season over.

For the Stratford Boys, it looks to the 2021 season with a bright future. Returning runners Joshua Kydes, Amos Colocho, Ryan Munoz, Jelani Warburton Baker, James Bragg-Phillips, Marcus Cavallo, and Jonathan DaSilva all showed major improvement during the 2020 season and will be a year stronger in 2021.

For the Stratford Girls, the 2021 season will see the return of all seven runners under the leadership of veteran runner Izzy Cola. It will be the second year for Kendall Smith, who will be a Senior. Five Freshman will return as Sophomores. Jaylen Evans and Isabella Pato look to build off their team leading times, Katie Coble showed potential in all this season's races, hard working McKenzie Moore and Lauren Ogrodowicz look to gain their form in the off season in hopes of a highlight 2021 campaign.