The local cross country season is under way and Stride runners are already making waves for their schools.

 

Ashley Brining, a freshman for Nathan Hale Ray High School, competed in a multi-school invitational in Middletown CT. Not only did she hang tough, but she put the league on notice with a 3rd place overall for VARSITY. Ashley will be a strong leader for our girls 13-14 year old team, likely leading the way to another USATF Nationals.

 

Maddie Staib, freshman at Choate Rosemary Hall, knocked down the 21:00 minute 5k barrier at the Faxon Law Road Race, posting a 19:36 and a 3rd place in the 13-19F age group.

 

On to some boys results... Beman Middle School in Middletown has not had much luck when it comes to the boys winning their meets over the recent past, last year going 0-9. This year, they are sending a message.

 

Two races into the the season, the Beman boys are 2-0, sweeping the top 5 in both meets. What is even better is that all 5 of those boys are part of Stride! Led by Alden Comeau, who continues to put a gap between himself and the competition, has handily won both meets. Both wins were over a minute ahead of second place.

 

Second place in each race, showing tremendous consistency and growth, has been Levi Boudreau. As a 7th grade runner, Boudreau is showing the conference that this will be his team next year.

 

Third and fourth have battled in the two races, with newcomer Chase Youngberg blowing away expectations and showing there is yet another sport he can excel in. Owen Ferrall has been showing his strength and grit after a tough summer injury. 

 

Last but not least is a small, unassuming 6th grader, Brady Comeau. Brady has shown that he can hang with the big boys, posting back-to-back 5th place finishes for Beman. Rather than getting lost in big brother Alden's shadow, Brady is showing he belongs.

 

Beman girls have returning 7th grader Lucca Pickman, picking up a win and a 2nd place in this young season. The sky is the limit for this young lady, who made it to USATF Nationals last winter in her first year running.

 

Another Stride original, Phoebe Farrell, has had a great start to her 2nd season with a 3rd and 8th place finish. Another multi-sport superstar that can do anything she puts her mind to!