Stratford Boys Open Up With Two Wins And A Near Miss

On Tuesday September 14th, the Stratford Boys Cross Country team traveled to cross town high school Bunnell and opened up the 2021 cross country season against the Bulldogs, the Weston Trojans, and the Lancers of Notre Dame-Fairfield.

The 5K campus course, now in its second season of use, features many changing ground surfaces. Runners travel over a rubberized track, over to asphalt driveways, onto manicured grass fields, through fine oak tree thorough ways, and finally ending up back on the track to the finish line.

In addition, each runner endured two hills, first on the asphalt driveway known as Bulldog Lane, and on a second tour around the course, it takes you just off Bulldog Lane onto a steep grass hill back again to and around the former Pirhala’s Farm.

An overcast sky, temperatures in the middle 70’s, no wind, low humidity, and a low dew point set the stage for mainly ideal race conditions.

Prior to the race, Bunnell’s Assistant Principal and master of ceremonies, Mr. Frank Tatto, paid tribute to all seniors from each team as Bunnell held its annual tradition of “Senior Night”.

When the ceremony concluded, runners made their way to the start line where race starter and Bunnell Girls Coach Jim Stein called out the start and the 2021 season was underway.

Weston’s Cole Mancinelli and Stratford’s Amos Colocho took control right from the start, they remained side by side right until the two mile mark.

Third, fourth, and fifth belonged to Weston’s Blake Bruan, Cameron Miles, and Cooper Clemons.

Sixth and seventh belonged to Stratford’s Joshua Kydes and Ryan Munoz.

Eighth place saw Weston’s Arthur Rademacher.

Ninth was Stratford’s Kalaba Kibwe.

Rounding out the top ten Weston’s Todd Maxcy.

Stratford’s fifth runner was Marcus Cavallo in eleventh.

With the leaders now entering the final mile, Mancinelli opened up a seven second lead over Colocho. The rest of the top ten in the field remained in the same order.

Mancinelli cruised in finishing number one at 16:57.

Colocho second at 17:26. The 17:26 time marks the best ever for Colocho.

Third place Weston’s Bruan at 18:33. In fourth, Weston’s Miles at 18:42. In Fifth, Weston’s Clemon’s at 18:54.

Today’s Red Devils Hot Stove Concession Stand fantastic finish belonged to Stratford’s Kydes and Ryan Munoz. The hard charging Munoz overcame a one hundred foot Kydes lead to overtake Kydes right at the finish line. Munoz in sixth at 19:56.17, Kydes seventh at 19:56.21.
In eighth, Weston’s Rademacher at 20:03. With Rademacher's finish, the always strong Weston XC teams survived a valiant Stratford bid for an upset.

In ninth, in his first career race Stratford’s Kibwe at 20:31.

Tenth place went to Weston’s Maxcy at 21:01.

Cavallo eleventh at 21:12.

Bunnell was led by Ben Laros at 23:30 and Gustavo Oliva at 23:32.

Notre Dame’s Michael DosSantos (25:07) and Austin Therrien (25:35) were their top runners on the afternoon.

The remaining Stratford finishers were James Bragg-Phillips (21:32) twelfth overall. Andrew Maldonado, in his first career race, finished in a time of 25:48. Raiyan Khusu, in his career debut, finished in a time of 30:56. Rounding out the Stratford Lineup, also in his first career race, Papa Insaidoo finished in a time of 38:42.

Final scores on the afternoon, Weston 15 Bunnell 50, Weston 15 Notre Dame-Fairfield 50, Weston 21 Stratford 35. Stratford 15 Bunnell 50, Stratford 15 Notre Dame-Fairfield 50. Bunnell 15 Notre Dame-Fairfield 50.

Weston opens up the season with 3 wins no losses, Stratford two wins and one loss, Bunnell one win and two losses, and Notre Dame-Fairfield no wins and three losses.

Up next for Stratford, Tuesday September 21st, 4:30pm, at Pomperaug High School, against the Panthers and the Brookfield Bobcats.