North Branford Cross-Country Is Ready to Run

Heading into the 2011 cross-country season, which opens today at the West Beach Invitational, Coach Floyd Parness is “optimistic that both the boys’ and girls’ teams will surprise the competition in regards to how much they have progressed over the season. The kids have been very positive at the onset, which will hopefully carry forward to the remainder of the season.” 

This season’s team is led by captains and is made up of 10 returning varsity runners from last year’s squad and 11 new runners. In addition to the captains, returnees expected to make a contribution on the boys’ side include Zach Augur, Jason Conforte, AJ Cooney, Sean O’Connor and Chris Olsen; while Chelsea Meagher, Sydney Lane and Hayley Gomez are returning from last years girls’ varsity team and are expected to be among the top runners backed up by Meghan McCarthy.

A number of first-year runners are also expected to contribute with Ben Boatman, Ben Bogue, Cole Perrotti, Justin Perrotti and Jared Miket competing for a varsity spot on the boys’ roster and Marissa Bale, Taylor Krista, Megan Rabuffo, Grace Carr and Megan Oakes looking to get into the girls’ rotation.

“With the loss of the league’s top boys’ freshman due to school transfer, two varsity runners not returning and two All-Shoreline girls graduating, both the boys’ and girls’ teams will be less experienced going into the season,” said Parness. “The team will need to put in the miles and be consistent about their workouts in order to make up for the lack of experience. In addition, due to the lack of numbers, the team needs to stay healthy in order to be competitive.”

Parness and the T-Birds would like to wish the cross-country team members of the graduating class of 2011 “much success in their future endeavors” including Alyssa Arre, Lauren Cooney, Jeremy Downer, Corinne McHenry, Raphael Roy, Katie Saunders and Jessica Sola.

T-Birds' fall previews will run throughout the week.