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By Ron P. Coderre
In advance of Hurricane Sandy, which was racing up the East Coast, local runners ran like the wind in the Boys’ and Girls’ CIAC Cross Country State Championships at Wickham Park in Manchester Oct. 27. Woodstock Academy fared best in the boys’ competition, finishing ninth in Class MM. The Griswold lady harriers won the Class SS title, edging Plainfield despite the winning run by the Lady Panther’s Kerri Ruffo, who finished in a time of 19:40 a full 15 seconds in front of Grace Gothers of East Catholic High School.
Woodstock’s Pat Clarke finished 27th in the boys’ MM competition posting a time of 18:07. He was followed by teammates Peter Belmont (41st-18:30); Brent Sorenson (42nd-18:31); Matt McMerriman (59th-19:00); Tanner McReynolds (60th-19:00); and Ryan Heileman (83rd-19:32).
Plainfield finished 19th and Killingly 21st in the Class M competition. Chris Messier (62nd-19:01) was the top Panther, while Corey King (73rd-19:18) was the first Redman to cross the finish line. Tourtellotte finished 14th and Putnam 22nd in the Class S run. J. Riley O’Connell of the Tigers was 58th with a time of 19:41.
The Woodstock girls finished 6th in Class MM and were led by Abby Lemarre who finished 19th in a time of 21:20. Other Academy finishers were Cassandra Guilani (22nd-21:29); Kaitlin Lane (36th-21:56); Bridget Matsas (48th-22:16); Brooklyn Saracina (56th-22:34); Sabrina Brunelle (58th-2243); and Jewelia Aubin (66th-22:57).
Following Ruffo, the SS winner, was her teammate Liz Larned, who finished fourth with a time of 20:26.
ECC Names X-Country All Stars
The Eastern Connecticut Conference named its cross country all stars for the fall 2012 season. In the boys’ Large Division, Brent Sorenson of Woodstock was the sole local performer selected. Ryan Saros and Chris Messier of Plainfield were selected in the Medium Division. Honorable Mention honors went to Pat Clarke and Chris Lowry of Woodstock.
Woodstock’s Abby Lemarre was the sole selection in the Large Division. A trio of Plainfield runners led by Ruffo made the Medium Division roster. Joining Ruffo were Haley Beausoleil and Liz Larned. Plainfield’s Kathleen Silveira received Honorable Mention accolades.