Submitted by Matt Diglio
On Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021, the Haddam Killingworth High School Boys and Girls Cross Country teams began their dual meet season as they traveled to Cromwell High School to compete in the Large School league meet against Valley Regional, Morgan, North Branford, Cromwell, and East Hampton.
Racing in the pouring rain, the boys team ran a strong team race over the 5,000 meter course to begin their dual meet season with a 5-0 record. They defeated Morgan by a score of 15-50, beat Cromwell 15-50, defeated North Branford 15-50, beat Valley 15-50 and beat East Hampton 20-43. H-K boys ran as a pack at the front of the race and were led by freshman Jack Cozean who placed 2nd (17:48), senior Caleb Freeman 3rd (17:48), senior Andrew Hedges 4th (17:48) and senior Tyler Robinson 5th (17:48).  Rounding out the scoring was senior Evan Baird who placed 6th in a time of 17:57 and freshman Colton Merola 7th (17:59).
The Girls team also went up against the same 5 league teams and went 4-1 on the afternoon. The Cougars defeated Morgan 16-46, beat Cromwell 15-50, defeated Valley 18-44 and beat North Branford 15-50 but lost to East Hampton 26-31. Leading the way for H-K was senior Ava DiMatteo who placed 2nd in a time of 21:02. Following her across the line was senior Brianna Minervino 3rd (21:04), sophomore Sydney Adelberg 6th (21:54), junior Chloe LaCoss 10th (22:54) and freshman Keira Sehl-Albert 14th (23:29).
The cross country team will next be in action on Saturday October 4, 2021 as they travel to Holmdel, NJ to compete in the New Balance Shore Coaches Invitational.
Photos courtesy of Yvette & John Minervino.
