BETHEL — Led by top overall finisher Orion Lowery, Newtown High School's boys' cross country team repeated as South-West Conference Champions during an approximate 60 degree day on the trails at Bethel High on October 21.

The Nighthawks had a team score of 52 to edge Pomperaug of Southbury (55). The NHS girls finished in second place with a score 82; Pomperaug's girls were first with 52.

Lowery led the field clocking in with a personal record time of 16:21.1.

"It felt great. My legs were ready — they weren't sore at all, Lowery said. "I was a bit nervous but as a team we pulled it together and got it done."

"He just extended. He really had it today," Newtown Coach Carl Strait said of Lowery, who overcame Stratford's Zachary O'Toole (second in 16:29.7) with a push on the infamous yet beloved hill known as The Beast.

Lowery noted that it is a close-knit team and he was happy the Nighthawks came through after putting in a lot of time and effort training. "When it pays off it's the best part," he added.

Both of Newtown's squads were sparked by clusters of fast finishers. Bryce Taylor (17:18.0), Duncan Kolb (17:20.1), and Marc Caratas (17:24.8) took the 12, 13, and 14 spots, and Sebastian Colburn was 16th in 17:30.2. Aarav Shetty was 26th in 18:07.7.

In the girls' race, the next-closest team behind Pomperaug and Newtown was Joel Barlow of Redding, which had first-place runner Kate Duggan (20:15.3), with a score of 106.

The Nighthawks were paced by Keeley Ferriter who was 12th in a time of 22:02.5. Eleanor Smith was 16th in 22:25.2, Audrey McLean came in 18th in 22:38.0, Annie Fattore was 20th in 22:42.7, and Nyla Peterson 25th, crossing the finish line in 23:16.6.

Both coaches were thrilled with the outcome. The boys did not have their best times but, as Strait pointed out, it is the placement that matters and the Nighthawks certainly got the job done there with five runners among the top 16.

"They found a way. That's the true sign of a champion when you find your way even when you're not at your best," Strait said.

The Newtown boys' coach pointed out that Pomperaug is a tremendous team and gave the Nighthawks a good run in this meet.

Strait said it is thrill to see the development of runners over the years and during the course of the season, and for their goals to come to fruition.

"It's just one of the most rewarding jobs ever," he said.

As for the girls, the second-place team finish was what the Nighthawks were going after given how strong of a squad Pomperaug has. Newtown was fourth last fall and Coach Christina Caron knew here squad had a good chance to finish runner-up.

"The girls have been working really hard at keeping the pack together. I'm really happy with how they ran today," Caron said.

Newtown's junior varsity girls and boys both placed second, giving the teams a boost of optimism for the future.

Complete results from the championships may be found here.