Canton runners too strong for Avon, Stafford

Canton’s James Yost leads his brother Dean to the finish in Wednesday’s race in Simsbury.

SIMSBURY – James Yost and his brother, Dean were the top two finishers as the Canton High boys cross country team dominated Avon and Stafford in a dual meet on Wednesday at Stratton Brook State Park.

James Yost beat his brother by just two seconds, completing the 3.1 mile course in 17:49 for his first dual meet win of the season. 

Canton (9-1, 9-1 NCCC) had five of the first seven runners in the race to beat Avon, 20-35. They also bounced Stafford, 15-49. It was Canton’s fourth win over Avon in the last five years and the 13th victory in 21 meets since 1993. 

Avon’s Collin Pritchard finished third in 18:37,.nearly 40 seconds behind the Yost brothers. Canton’s Jason Whittinslow took fourth, followed by Avon’s Andrew Suter in fifth and Canton’s Ethan Porter in sixth place. Canton’s Athan Chekas was seventh, beating out Avon’s Eric Kirk by four seconds. 

“We have some runners who are making progress beyond what I expected,” Canton coach Tim O’Donnell said. 

Suffield dominated Canton, 24-33 on opening day and the Warriors face a big challenge when they tangle with undefeated Ellington (9-0) in their final dual meet of the season next Wednesday in Ellington. 

The Canton girls split, dropping a 15-49 decision to undefeated Avon and beating Stafford, 15-48 to improve to 6-4 on the season. Eliza Chekas led the Warriors (6-4, 6-4 NCCC) with an eighth place finish in 22:44. Chekas won her first career dual meet a week ago in a three-team meet with Coventry and Sport Medicine Science Academy. 

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY
Canton 20, Avon 35
Canton 15, Stafford 49
Avon 15, Stafford 48
At Simsbury
Winner: James Yost (C) 17:49 for 3.1 miles at Stratton Brook Park; 2. Dean Yost (C) 17:51, 3. Collin Pritchard (A) 18:37, 4. Jason Whittinslow (C) 18:48, 5. Andrew Suter (A) 19:00, 6. Ethan Porter (C) 19:17, 7. Athan Chekas (C) 19:28, 8. Eric Kirk (A) 19:32, 9. Bryant St. Jean (A) 19:37, 10. James Grant (A) 19:43
Records: Canton 9-1, Avon 6-3, Stafford 2-8 

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
Avon 15, Canton 49
Avon 15, Stafford 48
Canton 21, Stafford 40
At Simsbury
Winner: Maddie McHugh (A) 20:04 for 3.1 miles at Stratton Brook Park; 2. Molly Hamel (A) 20:59, 3. Sara Stokesbury (A) 22:00, 4. Christina Martin (A) 22:06, 5. Ryley Higgins (A) 22:33, 6. R. Gallison (S) 22:34, 7. Kristen Goldie (A) 22:41, 8. Eliza Chekas (C) 22:44, 9. Hannah Fusaro (A) 23:03, 10. Emily Briggs (C) 23:25
Records: Avon 9-0, Canton 6-4, Stafford 3-7