The Times - They are Getting Better for Stratford XC Harriers

On Friday October 13th the Stratford High School Boys Cross Country team traveled the short road over to one of Milford’s crown jewels, the historic Eisenhower Park to go up against the Jonathan Law Lawmen, The Platt Tech Panthers, and the West Haven Blue Devils in a non conference matchup.

For Stratford it was their second meet in three days.

The legendary Eisenhower Park 5K course is defined as a naturally natured country cross country course of trails with racers facing rocky terrains, nooks and crannies with several ground covered acorn areas, the occasional horse from the nearby stables, and a scenic view of the entire park with the leaves on the trees are starting to turn into their multiple autumn colors.

The race took place on an impeccable day for racing, sunny skies, temperature at 64 degrees, no wind, and clearly it was another great fall day this season for a 5K race. For a short time this day the quiet wildness of nature in the park would be filled with excitement for the many fans gathered to take in the action.
First year Jonathan Law Coach Joe Beier lined up each team in their boxes at the starting line. He gave the final instructions and shouted the command to start the race.
Beier took over for Charlie Phillips. Phillips retired after 55 years of coaching many sport teams at Jonathan Law. Many of those sports for over twenty years each.

He coached cross country for twenty-two years from 2000-2022.

Where was Coach Phillips today? He was right where he belonged, assisting in the complex operations of a Jonathan Law home cross country meet.

Back to racing, off to0 fast starts were a plethora of assorted runners from all four teams in the top ten. Among them was Stratford’s Freshman Dyllan Asuncion.

Asuncion continues to enjoy his freshman season and has not finished lower than twelfth in any of his first five career races.

Traveling in a pack were Platt’s Kelvyn Velasquez, West Haven’s Kittikhom Tighe, Law’s David Licktieg, West Haven’s Dan Potter, Platt Tech’s Brennan Ruane, West Haven’s Austin Brothers and Matt Pagan.

Rounding out the top ten were Matthew Berendt and Tanner Matchett.
As the race was passing the midway point it saw the leaders move away from the pack.

Tighe was enjoying the lead followed by Asuncion and Velasquez. Ruane, Pagan, and Brothers certainly within striking distance.

With the race entering the final mile it was Velasquez taking over the lead with a very short distance over Asuncion followed by Tighe three seconds off the pace.

Ruane held the fourth spot and Pagan in fifth.

With one half mile to go Valesquez held the lead by four seconds.
A kick step for Tighe saw him pass Asuncion for second place.
All three held their positions.

It was Velasquez in first with a time of 18:21. In second, Tighe, with a time of 18:24.

With another personal best, Asuncion came in third with a time of 18:30.

In fourth, Ruane with a time of 18:54. In fifth, Pagan with a time of 19:00.

Brothers took sixth with a time of 19:05. In seventh, Licktieg ran a time of 19:37.

In eighth, Berendt finished with a time of 19:41. In ninth, Potter with a time of 20:22. In tenth, it was Matchett with a time of 21:01.

For Stratford, it saw six out of seven run for their best times of the season and four new personal bests.
Kent Taylor with a 22:09 finish.
Max Lilya with a season best and personal best time of 22:58.
Irie Mitton a season best 24:06.
Jace Taylor a season best and personal best 24:19
Dante Dawes a season best and personal best time of 26:49.
Papa Insaidoo a season best 36:33.

In team scoring it was West Haven with a meet sweep by the scores of West Haven 19 Stratford 44, West Haven 19 Law 40, and West Haven 24 Platt Tech 35.
It was Law over Stratford 20-42, Law over Platt Tech 26-32, and Platt Tech over Stratford 21-36.

Up next for Stratford, the South West Conference championships at Bethel High School on Wednesday October 18th at 3:30.