Haddam-Killingworth just clinched their *third straight* Class SS boys cross country crown, a monumental achievement that screams pure dominance. On Saturday, October 31, 2026, at Wickham Park in Manchester, they didn’t just win, they absolutely crushed the competition, racking up a ridiculous 33 points. East Hampton, the second-place team, finished with 89 points, showing just how wide that gap was.
H-K’s Three-Peat Is Historic
This is not just a hot streak for Haddam-Killingworth, folks. This is a dynasty in the making, or rather, a dynasty that’s *been* made and is getting more formidable. Their latest triumph marks the 14th state championship for the Cougars, a legacy that stretches all the way back to 1980. Think about that for a second! They’ve had an incredible run over the years, grabbing state crowns in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017, even snagging runner-up in 2013 to Old Lyme.
And how did they do it this time? With a massive finish up front, led by Evan Berardino, who absolutely flew to a first-place finish in 16:42.6. His teammate, Wyatt Voegtli, was right there with him, securing second at 16:50.6. But it wasn’t just those two; Trey Downing took sixth in 17:19.5, Paul Birkmeyer grabbed seventh in 17:22.2, and RJ Ortega rounded out their top five with a strong 17th-place finish in 17:52.3. Berardino summed it up perfectly, saying it was “just incredible,” crediting “all the boys, all the hard work they put in, and just a great group of guys.” He added, “It feels good to carry on something that’s been going on for years now.” You can feel the pride, can’t you?
A Nail-Biting Finish in Class S and Madden’s Big Moment
While H-K was busy building their empire, the Class S race delivered some serious drama. Immaculate edged out Thomaston in an absolute photo finish, winning by a single point, 53-54! Immaculate coach Chris Houser was upfront, admitting they knew Thomaston was “the favorites going in. They’re a great team with great coaching.” But Immaculate had the grit, with every single runner on their team hitting a personal record. Houser said, “All season, they’ve been doing the workouts, they’ve been doing the right things to recover. That’s where the work is.” Their top runner, Christian Fappiano, crossed the line in sixth place overall at 17:09.2, with their other scorers taking fifth, seventh, 11th, 14th, and 16th to seal the deal. Thomaston fought hard, with Beau Kociszewski taking third at 16:59.8 and Braden Walker finishing fifth at 17:06.5, but it wasn’t quite enough.
And let’s give a shout-out to Rockwell Madden, the East Granby sophomore, who absolutely dominated the Class S individual championship. He took first place in a blazing 16:37.2, becoming a state champion for the first time. Madden revealed his secret: winning the 43rd Wickham Park XC Invitational a few weeks prior really “helped set the state championship in my mind.” He even flashed “EAST GRANBY” across his chest as he hit the finish line chute. That’s confidence, right there!
This cross country season has wrapped up with some incredible performances and unforgettable battles. With teams like Haddam-Killingworth setting new benchmarks for dominance and young talent like Rockwell Madden emerging as state champions, you have to wonder what these programs will bring to the course next year. Get ready, because the competition is only going to get hotter!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply