Hrezi wins NVL boys cross country title

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Naugatuck senior Muad Hrezi won his second straight NVL cross country championship on Thursday at Veterans Park in Watertown. Hrezi won the race in 15:50, 20 seconds faster than teammate Nick Moriello, who finished second. SPECIAL TO CITIZEN'S NEWS

WATERTOWN — For the second consecutive year, Naugatuck’s Muad Hrezi is the best cross country runner in the Naugatuck Valley League.

Hrezi won the league championship meet on Thursday at Watertown’s Veterans Park in 15:50. Teammate Nick Moriello finished second in 16:10, giving the Greyhounds a 1-2 finish in the meet.

“I felt good,” Hrezi told the Republican-American. “I wanted to take my race out fast and work it. I kind of like to sit and relax. I would have liked to run faster, but as long as I got the win, I am happy.”

“At the beginning, everyone went out fast, and I decided to tuck in behind,” Moriello told the Rep-Am. “I just kept pushing it, mile after mile.”

That finish wasn’t enough for Naugy to top Watertown for the league title, though. The Indians edged the ‘Hounds, 41-43, to capture the first league championship of the 2011 season. Naugatuck finished second.

Naugatuck’s Dan Schumacher finished 10th in the meet while Jacob Simons was 14th and Michael Uva was 16th. Woodland’s Joe Reynolds was the Hawks’ best finisher, placing 25th. The Hawks were seventh overall.

For the girls, Woodland’s Mary Sardinskas was the best local finisher, placing fifth in 20:22. Everyone trailed Holy Cross’ Megan Bobinski, who won the race in 19:55. The Hawks earned a fifth-place finish thanks to top-25 performances by Steph Kiley (seventh), Miranda Moffat (18th), and Melissa Kiley (24th).

Naugatuck’s Jordyn Allen was the top runner for the ‘Hounds, who finished fourth. Samantha Hilse (19th) and Melissa Sherwood (25th) also placed in the top 25.