Date: Fri 15-Sep-1995

Publication: Bee

Author: KIM

Illustration: I

Quick Words:

X-Country-Teams-Start-95-Well

Full Text:

X-Country Opens '95 With Sweep

B Y S HERRI S MITH

The Newtown cross country teams opened their season September 13th in the SWC

with a clean sweep over Kolbe, Pomperaug and Stratford. Newtown starts their

season 4-0, including a non-conference pre-season meet over St Joseph's.

A theme head coach Rich Pesce has always worked with is bunching runners and

lowering times. The boys looked great in their win, Terry McGovern out in the

lead finishing with a time of 17:09. McGovern looked in top form, followed by

teammates Kurt Deschermeier, Kyle Trocolla, Pat Czaplicke, Mike Giarrantano,

Todd Badillo, Jeff Fagan, Ward Richardson, James Enders, John Cedor and

rounding out the top, Pat Dennen.

Newtown suffered a loss yesterday as top runner Richardson turned his ankle,

probably keeping him out for a week or two. As the season progresses, there

will be many runners fighting for the top ten spots on the team. " This was a

nice way to open the season with both teams sweeping the meet, " said Pesce. "

Terry looked great and we can be very encouraged by the finish of all the

runners. The course was a bit confusing and the runners a bit tentative, to go

out fast, but overall I'm very pleased. "

Pesce has every reason to be pleased. Pomperaug High put their first runner,

Tim Gannon third overall, shutting out another opponent, Shane Kearns, until

seventh position. Kolbe and Stratford were scored shut-outs.

Also competing for the Indians were in order of finish, Alex Kosowski, Paul

Giarrantano, Mike Czaplicke, Josh Lewber, Justin Gaines, Ryan Hodnick, Tom

Mandulak, Tom Polchowski, Doug Spell, Ryan Mulhern, Glenn Harzewski, Daryl

Newman, Jon McCallum and Tristan Schwartzman.

Girls Dominate

A strong showing for the Newtown girls competing against Pomperaug, Kolbe and

Stratford. Marnie Larabee set a course record at Long Brook Park in Stratford,

September 13. It was the first time the Stratford girls competed on the course

and it seems Larabee will hold the record for the remainder of the year, as

Stratford doesn't have any home meets left in the season.

Larabee came across the finish line strong in 15:50. A confusing course,

Larabee and her teammates packed together up front finishing top four

consecutive places. Following Larabee were Julie Greene, Courtney Elf and

Adrienne Sgammato. A Pomperaug runner broke in, but following were Jill

Privalsky, Erin Cavanaugh and Kim Flynn.

" I am really pleased with the girls race, " said Pesce. " Sarah didn't

compete and in the top four are two inexperienced runners, Courtney and

Adrienne. Right behind them is another newcomer, Kim Flynn. It looks very

promising for this season. This was very positive. "

Kira Nelson, Emily Warner, Jodi Cross, Beth Dyer, Erica Masella and Kristen

Deschermeier rounded out the team. Pesce can be very upbeat about the win,

seeing the runners pack together up front and keep the opponent back in the

line-up. With Zimmerman back on the course, Newtown will be one to reckon with

this season in the SWC.

An Early Win

Newtown opened their season with a non-conference meet against St Joesph's,

the " Pucker-Up Run " . Girls and boys dominated the race, Newtown boys

finishing top ten. A steady stream of consecutive Indian runners followed with

few breaks from the opponent.

The girls experienced the same situation, Larabee running first with teammates

following. Each team shut out their opponent.