Naugatuck’s pace quickens

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NAUGATUCK — The Naugatuck cross country team is picking up the pace.

The boys and girls teams both swept a meet on Tuesday versus Oxford, Sacred Heart and Wilby to improve to 6-2 on the season.

The strength of the boys team has always been molded around a dynamic duo of runners ever since head coach Bill Hanley took over the reins. The Greyhounds were hit heavy by graduation, but brothers Ross and Elliot Via — the only two seniors on the team — have emerged to lead the boys.

“Ross and Elliot have put in a lot of work over the summer to get ready for this season,” Hanley said. “They are closing in on the 17 minute mark, but there is an awful lot of competition in the NVL with the kid from Derby, Seymour, Kennedy and Holy Cross.”

Ross Via took second (18:18) on Tuesday to lead Naugatuck. Charlie Marenghi took fourth (19:25). Brendon Soubannarath took seventh (20:11) and Bryce Cegielski finished ninth (20:40) to round out the top-ten finishes for Naugatuck.

“We are trying to get a solid six runners who can score for us, and the team is making good strides and working hard. Marenghi was sick in the race against Woodland (on Sept. 12) and still put up a strong time. That just shows you the kind of work ethic he has.”

After finishing 8-6 as a team last season, most of the girls team returned as Naugy is looking to move up in the ranks this year.

Naugatuck placed five girls in the top ten on Tuesday. Lauren Rupsis finished second (25:34) to pace Naugatuck. Briana Lennon took third (25:51) followed by Abigail Lombardi in fourth (26:28). Brittany Soubannarath (29:25) and Gina Conforti (29:35) finished seventh and eighth, respectively.

The win on Tuesday came after the girls beat Crosby and Holy Cross last week by taking six of the top ten spots, including a first-place finish from Lombardi.

“It was a surprise on the girls’ side on how well we did against Crosby and Holy Cross,” Hanley said. “The girls are running with a lot more confidence lately. It was a real good day to get six girls in the top ten.”

The Greyhounds will have their hands full on Tuesday when they take on Derby, Wolcott and St. Paul in Bristol.