Greyhounds run past Hawks, Eagles

0
91

Naugatuck’s Jordyn Allen finished first for the girls with a time of 22:21 against Woodland and Kennedy Tuesday afternoon at Naugatuck High. LARAINE WESCHLER
NAUGATUCK — Naugatuck asserted itself on the cross country course on Tuesday.

The boys and girls teams defeated Woodland and Kennedy. Both of the Greyhounds’ squads are 4-0 on the season.
The Hawks salvaged victories against the Eagles. On the girls side, Woodland defeated Kennedy, 29-30. In boys action, Woodland topped Kennedy, 26-31.

The ‘Hounds took the top five spots overall on the boys side, while they grabbed five of the top eight overall places in the girls competition. Naugy swept the top spots.

On a hot, humid day on a course with several hills, the Greyhounds controlled the results.

“There wasn’t a runner on the course that didn’t suffer today,” Naugatuck head coach Bill Hanley said. “But everyone got a good workout that will help prepare them for later in the season.”

Jordyn Allen won the girls race for Naugy in a time of 22:21, while Muad Hrezi placed first among the boys in 18:07.

Hrezi won the championship race at the Ocean State Invitational in Rhode Island last weekend, as well. The event featured teams from all over the Northeast.

“Muad did a nice job of taking care of business and helping teammates along today after last weekend,” Hanley said.

Dan Schumacher (18:29) and Nick Moriello (18:32) took second and third respectively, while Jacob Simons (18:34) and Mike Uva (18:34) tied for fifth.

“When you can have your top five runners finish within about 20 seconds of each other, that’s a great performance,” Hanley said.

In addition, Naugy had several other prominent runners: John Caruso finished seventh in 19:41, Paul Widden (20:44) was 10th and Colin Reilly (20:45) was 11th overall.

Naugatuck’s Muad Hrezi was the fastest among the boys with a time of 18:07 against Woodland and Kennedy Tuesday afternoon at Naugatuck High. LARAINE WESCHLER

Joe Reynolds (19:57) had the best time for Woodland, finishing eighth overall in 20:19. Ian Chamenko (20:19, ninth), Kyle Beynor (21:26, 14th), Dean Conway (22:00, 16th) and Zach Noreika (22:01, 17th) were the next best runners for the Hawks.

“I’m very pleased with the way the boys ran today,” Woodland head coach Jeff Lownds said. “They left it all out there.”

On the girls side, Hanley said Allen had a difficult time on a level course over the weekend at the Rhode Island event. Hanley was impressed with her bounce-back effort on Tuesday afternoon.

“For her to run a faster time with the hills and the heat was very impressive,” Hanley said of Allen.

Samantha Hilse (24:32, fourth), Madison Beasley (25:41, sixth), Shannon Hale (25:42, seventh) and Lindsey Thoren (26:41, eighth) rounded up out the five best times for the Greyhounds. Hale, the senior captain, and her time helped lead Naugy to victory.

“You’re only as a good as you’re fourth and fifth runners,” Hanley said. “Shannon did a nice job of sealing the deal for the ladies today.”

The Hawks had three of the top five female runners. Woodland does not have a large roster but they make their runs count.

Mary Sardinskas of Woodland took second overall in 23:14, while teammate Stephanie Kiley placed third in 23:42. The Hawks’ Miranda Moffet was fifth in 25:07.

“We have a small team, but there’s some real talent there,” Lownds said.