Avon runners dominate at Going to the Sun Invitational

DURHAM, Sept. 20 – The Avon High girls cross country team finally took home the top trophy at the 25th annual Going to the Sun Invitational at Coginchaug Regional in Durham. And the Falcons did it in impressive fashion.

East Catholic’s Grace Gothers, left, Avon’s Rachael Rosow, center, and Valley Regional’s Sam McKoskey ran up the hill at the Going to the Sun Invitational Thursday in Durham. Rosow eventually won the race.

Avon put four runners in the top 10 and all seven of its varsity runners in the top 20 as the Falcons rolled to a dominating 30-79 win over East Hampton. It is Avon’s first team title at the event and the most lopsided win in the last 12 years. Avon’s 30-point score is the lowest score in the last 12 years, too.

Avon’s Maddi McHugh leads teammate Sarah Stokesbury up a hill.

The Falcons (2-0, 2-0 NCCC) had finished second here in 2011, losing to Valley Regional by 11 points, and in 2009.

Junior Rachael Rosow won the race for the second straight year with a time of 18:57.52 over the 3.1 mile course. Grace Gothers of East Catholic was second in 19:14.31.

Molly Hamel was fourth for Avon in 19:36 with Maddi McHugh taking sixth in 20:07. Sarah Stokesbury was seventh in 20:23 while Katie McIntyre were in the top five for the Falcons in 15th place (20:57). Julia deSimas (19th, 21:45) and Kristen Goldie (20th 21:57) rounded out the top seven for the Falcons.

The Avon High boys cross country team didn’t run their varsity runners since the Falcons have a meet against Canton and Somers at Fisher Meadows tomorrow. The Falcons finished 11th led by Dan Innes in 18:38 (31st place). The Avon girls will also race Canton and Somers on Friday.

It is the only home meet of the year for Avon.

Going to the Sun Invitational results