With eyes on Stratton Brook, Avon runners sweep dual meets

Avon girls dominated Thursday’s race with Windsor Locks and Somers.

WINDSOR LOCKS – It was really a race among themselves. The Avon High girls cross country team, ranked No. 2 in the most recent state coaches poll, dominated as they were expected to do in a dual meet with Somers and Windsor Locks on Thursday. Defending Class MM champion Avon swept Somers and Windsor Locks by both scores of 15-50. 

Avon had the first 14 runners that finished the 3.1 mile race, led by Maddi McHugh, who won her second dual meet of the season with a 38-second win over teammate Molly Hamel. Sara Stokesbury, Ryley Higgins and Rachael Rosow rounded out the top five. 

Avon will be challenged on Saturday when they compete in the 33rd annual Stratton Brook Invitational in Simsbury. Top-ranked Glastonbury, No. 5 Simsbury and No. 7 Conard are registered to compete in the race. 

In the boys race, Avon (3-1) didn’t look sharp. They had some runners run in the wrong direction and lose time. One runner was disqualified for cutting off a competitor at the finish. Still, the Falcons had enough to beat Somers. 27-36 by placing five runners in the top 10 and having three of the top five led by Eric Kirk in second place with a time of 18:32 and Andrew Suter in third place in 18:45. James Grant (19:01) took fifth. Avon also overwhelmed Windsor Locks, 15-50. 

The Falcons will also run at the Stratton Brook Invitational on Saturday – along with Canton, which improved to 5-1 this week with three victories over Bolton, East Windsor and Enfield on Wednesday in East Windsor. 

Canton was led by Jim Yost and Dean Yost, who finished second and third, respectively, in the race with times of 16:42 and 17:23 in East Windsor. Canton is a half-game behind Ellington (4-0). 

Ericka Chekas was the top runner for the Canton girls cross country team in wins over East Windsor and Enfield. The Warriors (3-3) fell to Bolton, 18-43. 

BOYS
Avon 27, Somers 36
Avon 15, Windsor Locks 50
Somers 15, Windsor Locks 50
At Windsor Locks
Winner: Cam Scott (S) 18:25 for 3.1 miles at Windsor Locks, 2. Eric Kirk (A) 18:32, 3. Andrew Suter (A) 18:45, 4. J. Barry Parker (S) 18:53, 5. James Grant (A) 19:01, 6. Marc Beaulieu (S) 19:10, 7. Matt McGuane (S) 19:27, 8. Jack Wendler (A) 19:30, 9. Adam Helmy (A) 19:31, 10. Matt Reagan (A) 19:54
Records: Avon 3-1 

Canton 24, Bolton 34
Canton 27, East Windsor 29
Canton 15, Enfield 49
Bolton 27, East Windsor 28
Bolton 17, Enfield 46
East Windsor 16, Enfield 47
At East Windsor
Winner: C. O’Dell (EW) 16:40 at East Windsor, 2. J. Yost (Ca) 16:42, 3. D. Yost (Ca) 17:23, 4. J. Fritsche (B) 17:39, 5. E. Jaworski (B) 17:41, 6. C. Cassello (B) 17:58, 7. C. Harman EW 18:16, 8. J. Whittingslow (C) 18:24, 9. D. Guagni EW 18:30, 10. D. Costa EW 18:32
Records: Canton 5-1 

GIRLS
Avon 15, Somers 50
Avon 15, Windsor Locks 50
Somers 15, Windsor Locks 50
At Windsor Locks
Winner: Maddi McHugh (A) 19:05 for 3.1 miles at Windsor Locks, 2. Molly Hamel (A) 19:43, 3. Sara Stokesbury (A) 21:02, 4. Ryley Higgins (A) 21:10, 5. Rachael Rosow (A) 21:15, 6. Kristin Goldie (A) 21:19, 7. Hannah Fusaro (A) 21:21, 8. Christina Martin (A) 21:24, 9. Risa Lewis (A) 22:23, 10. Sophie Greenbaum (A) 22:57
Records: Avon 4-0

Bolton 18, Canton 43
Bolton 15, East Windsor 50
Bolton 15, Enfield 50
Canton 15, East Windsor 50
Canton 15, Enfield 50
At East Windsor
Winner: S. Nyser (B) 19:48 for 3.1 miles at East Windsor, 2. M. Caruso (B) 21:48, 3. N. Langton (B) 21:51, 4. E Chekas (C) 22:03, 5. E. Fiano (B) 22:07, 6. E. Briggs (C) 22:19, 7. J. Assard (B) 22:27, 8. C. Whitehead (B) 22:29, 9. Z. Ounpuu-Adams (B) 22:30, 10. L. Seften (B) 22:59
Records: Canton 3-3, Bolton 4-1