Ellington runners outlast Canton in battle of undefeated teams

The Canton boys cross country finished the dual meet season Wednesday with a 13-1 record.

SIMSBURY, Oct. 8 – The two-time defending NCCC champion Ellington boys cross country team was racing for the second time in three days. On Monday, the Purple Knights swept a meet with Avon, Somers and Windsor Locks at Fisher Meadows in Avon. Originally scheduled for last week, it was moved due to rain. 

On Wednesday, Ellington put themselves in position to win a third straight NCCC cross country championship with a 24-31 win over Canton at Stratton Brook Park in Simsbury along with victories over Stafford and Sport Medicine Science Academy out of Hartford. 

Ellington had four of the top six runners in the race to finish the dual meet portion of the schedule undefeated at 14-0. Jordan Dixon won for the second time in three days beating teammate David Clavett by 12 seconds with his winning time of 17:04. 

Canton’s twin seniors James and Dean Yost finished third and fourth, respectively. The key to the victory was Ellington’s Thomas Arbeiter and Andrew Oliwa finishing fifth and sixth, respectively, just ahead of the Canton trio of Jake Whittingslow, Will Briggs and Ethan Porter. Oliwa was two seconds ahead of Whittingslow, six seconds ahead of Briggs and seven up on Porter. Arbeiter was just six seconds ahead of Oliwa. 

Canton (13-1) still has an opportunity to win a share of the league championship. Teams earn one point for each dual meet victory and one point for each team they beat at the league championship meet on Saturday, Oct. 18 in Windsor Locks. Canton could win a share of the championship if they can beat Ellington and win the meet. 

Ellington has won the last two NCCC championship meets. Canton last won the NCCC championship meet in 2010 and 2009. Canton’s dual meet record of 13-1 is their best mark since posted back-to-back 12-0 campaigns in 2009 and 2010. 

In the girls race, Canton’s Emily Briggs won her first dual meet of the season outdueling Stafford’s Rachel Gallsion. Briggs won by one second in 21:57 over the 3.1 mile course. That was the difference in Canton’s 27-28 victory over Stafford. Jocelyn Rossitto finished fourth for Canton. 

The Canton girls finished the dual meet season with a record of 8-6 with a win over SMSA, 15-50. Ellington beat the Warriors, 24-36. 

Photos of the runners from the Canton boys and girls from John Fitts at Canton Compass.

BOYS
Ellington 24, Canton 31
Ellington 15, Stafford 50
Ellington 15, SMSA 50
Canton 15, Stafford 50
Canton 15, SMSA 50
Stafford 15, SMSA 50
At Simsbury
Individual results – 1. Jordan Dixon (Ell) 17:04 for 3.1 miles at Stratton Brook Park, Simsbury; 2 David Clavett (Ell) 17:16, 3. James Yost (C) 17:23, 4. Dean Yost (C) 17:44, 5. Thomas Arbeiter (Ell) 17:51, 6. Andrew Oliwa (Ell) 17:57, 7. Jake Whittingslow (C) 17:59, 8. Will Briggs (C) 18:03, 9. Ethan Porter (C) 18:04, 10. Albert Tebbetts (Ell) 18:16
Records: Ellington 14-0, Canton 13-1, Stafford 6-8, SMSA 0-14 

GIRLS
Ellington 24, Canton 36
Ellington 27, Stafford 32
Ellington 15, SMSA 50
Canton 27, Stafford 28
Canton 15, SMSA 50
Stafford 15, SMSA 50
At Simsbury
Individual results – 1. Emily Briggs (C) 21:57 for 3.1 miles at Stratton Brook Park, Simsbury; 2. Rachel Gallsion (Sta) 21:58, 3. Anna Chamberland (Ell) 22:03, 4. Jocelyn Rossitto (C) 22:34, 5. Erica Lawlor (Sta) 23:07, 6. Jenni Giacalone (Ell) 23:10, 7. Saylee Missell (Sta) 23:10, 8. Katherine Lee (Ell) 23:29; 9. Erin Magnuson (Ell) 23:24, 10. Kate Walder (Ell)
Records:  Ellington 10-4, Canton 8-6, Stafford 7-7, SMSA 0-9