(October 28, 2025) — On October 25, 2025, both the Haddam-Killingworth High School Boys and Girls cross country teams won the Class SS State Championship race at Wickham Park in Manchester for the second consecutive year. HKHS was the only school in Connecticut to win both the Boys and Girls team titles, and also had the most combined Boys and Girls All-State runners of any program in the state with eight runners earning All- State accolades.
The girls team won their seventh state championship in the past ten years dating back to 2015 and it was their eighth state championship in program history. The girls scored 25 points as a team to easily outdistance runner-up Cromwell with 54 points. They were led by Junior Charlotte Behnke, who was the Class SS individual state champion (the first ever girl in HKHS history) running a time of 19:39 over the hilly 3.1 mile course. She was followed by Seniors Julia Downing, who placed second in a time of 19:59, and Grace Mitchell placing third just behind her in a time of 20:08 to finish 1-2-3 in the entire race…also a first in program history. They were followed by Junior Emi Schweitzer 13th (21:26) and Senior Delaney Aronson 14th (21:28). Alyssa Behnke placed 25th (22:06) and Senior Amelia Riggs ran 22:18 to place 28th. By virtue of finishing in the top 12, Charlotte, Julia and Grace earned All-State accolades. For Grace Mitchell, it is her third time earning All-State honors.
The Boys Varsity team also won the Class SS State title for the second consecutive year by scoring 34 points to easily defeat runner-up East Hampton with 97 points. This was the Cougars’ 13th state title in program history. The Boys team was led by Junior Evan Berardino, who placed third in the race with a time of 17:06 over the challenging 5,000 meter course. Following him were Seniors Cash Smigel 5th (17:13), Anthony Fredericksen 6th (17:14) and Alex Fredericksen 8th (17:17). Rounding out the team scoring was Junior Wyatt Voegtli 12th (17:25). All five boys earned All-State honors. They were followed by Sophomore Trey Downing 14th (17:44) and Senior Dan McCourt 17th (17:54).
