By Matt Diglio
(November 26, 2024) — On November 23, 2024, members of the Haddam-Killingworth High School Boys and Girls cross country teams traveled to Bowdoin Park in Wappingers Falls, New York to compete in the Nike Northeast Regional Championship meet. Competing as “Diglio’s Army- HKXC,” the Boys and Girls ran against some of the top teams and individuals from Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The teams ran in the Open Races against some tough competition on a very challenging and hilly 5,000 meter course. The Girls team finished second overall as a team with 78 points. Leading the way was Sophomore Charlotte Behnke, who placed fourth in a time of 20:31 out of 168 runners in the race. Grace Mitchell finished eighth overall in a time of 20:38 and was followed by Junior Julia Downing 33rd (21:41), Sophomore Emi Schweitzer 52nd (22:20). Senior Keira Sehl-Albert, 56th (22:24) and Junior Delaney Aronson 57th (22:26). By virtue of their top 21 finish Charlotte and Grace were named to the Nike All Regional team.
The Boys team raced in the Northeast Blue race but had their individual and team results combined with the Northeast Green race, which totaled 574 runners and 65 total teams. Out of the 65 teams, the HKHS Boys placed fourth overall with 256 points. Leading the way for the Cougars was Junior Daniel McCourt, who placed tenth overall in the merge running a time of 17:10 and earning Nike All Regional honors. He was followed by Senior Jack Cozean 26th (17:21), then Sophomore Evan Berardino 79th (17:55) and Juniors Cash Smigel 105th (18:08) and Anthony Fredericksen 119th (18:13). Also competing for the HKHS boys were Junior Alex Fredericksen 18:53 (224th) and Senior Matt Lara 18:53 (225th).
