By Matt Diglio
(October 6, 2026) — On October 3, 2026, the Haddam Killingworth High School Boys and Girls Cross Country teams traveled to Wrentham, Massachusetts to compete at night and under the lights in the Bay State Invitational against some of the top teams in that state.
The Girls team raced well on the 5,000 meter course to place third overall as a team, scoring 112 points in the Varsity A race. The Girls were once again led by Senior co-captain Charlotte Behnke, who crossed the line in a time of 19:12 to place 10th overall in the race. She was followed by her sister, Sophomore Alyssa Behnke, who ran 19:41 to place 14th, and fellow Senior Co-Captain Emi Schweitzer 19th (19:51). Next to cross the line for HKHS was Sophomore Annie Webster at 32nd (20:39) and Freshman Delia Becker at 67th (22:20) to round out the team scoring.
The Boys team also competed well against some of the top teams in Massachusetts, as they placed sixth as a team in the Varsity A race, scoring 155 points. Leading the Cougars were Senior Co-Captains Evan Berardino, who placed 18th in the race with a time of 16:08, and Wyatt Voegtli 30th (16:26). Next to cross the line for HKHS was Junior Trey Downing 44th (16:50), Senior Paul Birkmeyer 52nd (16:59) and Freshman RJ Ortega 61st (17:10).
The Cross Country team will next compete on October 10, 2026, as they travel to Saratoga Springs, New York to compete in the Saratoga Invitational.
Photos courtesy of Kristie Kaminski and Kerstin Berardino
