Stratford and West Haven in a Devil of a time During XC Tri-Meet

On Friday October 8th the Stratford Red Devils hosted the Blue Devils of West Haven along with the Bulldogs of Bunnell in a boys 5K cross country match up at Wooster Middle School.

With the season winding down, this meet was added to the schedule in the late summer as all teams now prepare for their upcoming conference championships.

For Stratford, on this afternoon, they honored their soon to be four graduating seniors, traditionally known as “ Senior Night”. Well wishes were given to Andrew Maldonado, James Bragg-Phillips, Kalaba Kibwe, and four year member Joshua Kydes as they prepare for their next chapter in life.

The weather conditions saw an abundance of sunshine, temperatures in the low 70’s, once again no wind, and ideal course conditions. These comfortable conditions also brought out a nice crowd to watch the top town and area runners.

The course is fast and flat, transitioning itself from a recreational park and campus to a 5 kilometer well marked course that accompanies the entire property of the school in a looping fashion.

At the starting line the Red Devils and Blue Devils were separated by the Bulldogs in between with each team sending their seven best up top.

The start of the race saw Stratford’s top runner, Amos Colocho, and West Haven’s Matthew Pagan jump right out into the lead.

The next eight runners were from either West Haven or Stratford. No question the race between these two teams was heating up. On paper the previous results show both teams are equally matched.

With the race heading into the one mile mark Colocho still led with Pagan slightly behind. West Haven’s Justin Rodrigues all alone in third. In fourth, West Haven’s Alex Potter with Stratford’s Ryan Munoz knocking on the door.

West Haven’s Eric Owens had Munoz easily within distance followed by teammate Khai Outhavong.

Stratford’s Kydes, in his final career home race, holding down the eighth spot, with teammates Marcus Cavallo and Bragg-Phillips rounding out the top ten.

In cross country, scoring is based on the low point scoring system, by placement finishes, which determines the winner in team play. This race saw positioning of the top ten seeing either West Haven or Stratford, and with the race now entering its final stages, all eyes were on Stratford’s Munoz, Kydes, and Cavallo as each were needed to overtake West Haven’s Outhavong, Owens, or Potter.

Colocho took first place rather handily in a time of 18:30. Pagan in second at 18:53.

Rodriguez in third at 19:01.

Potter, in a final push over Munoz (19:32), fourth at 19:25.

Sixth and seventh to West Haven’s Owens (19:34) and Outhavong (19:50).

Eighth, ninth, and tenth went to Stratford’s Kydes (20:13), Cavallo (20:31), and Bragg-Phillips (21:20).

Final score between the Blue Devils and the Red Devils was the Blue Devils 22 Stratford 33.

Bunnell’s Jaden Alicea was the top runner for the Bulldogs with a time of 22:14.

Final score between Stratford and Bunnell was Stratford 15 Bunnell 41.

Final score between West Haven and Bunnell was West Haven 15 Bunnell 50.

The remaining Stratford finishers were Andrew Maldonado at 24:03, Raiyan Khursu at 31:59, and Papa Insaidoo at 42:44.

Stratford's record now stands at five wins and seven losses.

Up next for Stratford, at Joel Barlow against the Falcons, the Masuk Panthers, and the Bethel Wild Cats on Tuesday October 12th at 4:00pm.