Brown And Kydes Land In Top Ten For Stratford Runners

On Friday October 4th the Stratford Boys cross country team traveled to one of Milford’s crowned jewels at Eisenhower Park to square off with the Jonathan Law Eagles, Platt Tech Panthers, and the West Haven Blue Devils in an inter-conference annual 5K race.

The historical Eisenhower Park, known for its many relaxing features, boasts some of the best of southern Connecticut’s trails.

For a short time this afternoon, the quiet wilderness of the park would be filled with the excitement of the many fans that gathered to take in the action.

For runners, they go up against some rocky terrains, nooks and crannies, sprinkled acorns along the way, in addition to the perfectly manicured pathways, and even the occasional horse from nearby stables.

This day saw sunny skies, temperatures in the low 60’s, and a strong northwest wind. Runners certainly enjoyed the wind at their backs but when running north into head wind found themselves exhausting extra amounts of energy to maintain pace.

When longtime race official Steve Celmer (also a legendary coach) fired off the starting blast seventy-seven racers trampled their way down the wide open field attempting to get out in front for what is a tight turn one.

Stratford saw two of its runners, Elijah Brown and Joshua Kydes, in the top ten as the race was into the second mile. Both have enjoyed a very successful 2019 season to this point.

While Brown and Kydes carried the highlights for Straford, all four schools had at least one runner in the top ten and two in the top thirteen, in a well balanced finish to the race.

But the story unfolding in this one was the battle between first and second overall.

West Haven senior Sebastian Villanueva was holding the lead over the favorite and veteran Mike Loschivo, of Jonathan Law, and (Villanueva) was getting stronger as the race went on.

With one-quarter mile to go Villanueva opened up a seven second lead finishing in 17:46.

Loschiavo second at 18:03.

Law’s Liam Fedigan got by Brown in to the third mile and finished third at 18:37.

Brown was fourth at 18:42.

Platt Tech’s Jaggar Art was fifth at 18:54.

Kydes sped his way into the sixth slot with a time of 19:07.

After that it was three straight Blue Devils then two Lawmen, Ryan Martinez (19:21.54), Allen Aldrich (19:21.78), and James Weber (19:25) for the Blue Devils, Amir Elhelw (19:40) and Charles Wang (19:42) for the Lawmen.

Martinez and Allen provided the crowd with the race’s most exciting down the final straightaway and across the line finish with Official Timer Celmer calling Martinez just ahead of Aldrich.

The second big story unfolding was the surging West Haven Blue Devils who were looking to be the overall winners in team play.

Blue Devil Khai Outhavong came down the stretch in good shape crossing the finish line in 20:03 and for the first time long time West Haven Coach Bill McDermott could remember his Blue Devils swept this annual meet.

When the race ended and the final scores added up, West Haven did indeed sweep the meet going 3-0. West Haven, now a jubilant bunch, were seen taking team pictures marking the day’s big moment and possible historic day.

Platt Tech’s Simon Nodiff was thirteenth overall at 20:06.

Stratford saw Paul Duncanson gutting out a 21:58 finish. Teammates Amos Colocho (23:58), Ryan Munoz (25:28), and Drilon Nasufi (26:40) contributed to the Stratford effort.

Tyler Ciufo remains out due to injury.

Final scores, West Haven 25 Jonathan Law 30, West Haven 19 Platt Tech 38, West Haven 23 Stratford 37, Jonathan Law 21 Stratford 40, Jonathan Law 19 Platt Tech 42, Platt Tech 25 Stratford 36.

Up next for Stratford, Monday October 7th, 4:30 at Wooster Middle School, against the Weston Trojans, Brookfield Bobcats, and the Bunnell Bulldogs.