Southington absolutely rolled through the CCC championship on Tuesday, locking down the team title with a stunning 49 points, showcasing a depth that left rivals watching their dust. This wasn’t just a win; it was a statement. E.O. Smith senior Gabriel White also powered his way to an individual championship in the CCC, clocking an incredible 16:14.3 at Manchester’s Wickham Park. Elsewhere, Innovation senior Immanuel Kearney and Norwich Tech senior Savien Diaz secured their own individual titles in the CTC, capping off a day of incredible cross country action.
CCC Domination: White’s Win and Southington’s Depth
Gabriel White wasn’t just competing with the best in his conference, he *was* the best. His 16:14.3 finish was enough to clinch the CCC individual championship, with Simsbury sophomore Henry Pugliese coming in second at 16:23.9 and Hall senior Alex Martin-Casas taking third in 16:27.0. But the real story for the CCC team title belonged to Southington. They snagged the championship with a dominant 49 points, largely thanks to an unbelievable pack performance. Their junior Tanner Tortora (17:15.5), senior Michael Blankenship (17:16.4), and senior Stephen Rahenkamp (17:21.7) finished seventh, eighth, and ninth respectively, forming a tight scoring core. On top of that, Blue Knight senior Samuel Cheek grabbed 12th (17:24.6) and junior Logan Perrella secured 13th (17:26.5), giving Southington an astounding five runners in the top 13 overall. Glastonbury put up a strong fight for second place with 77 points, led by junior Thomas Parrett’s fourth-place finish (16:57.9) and senior Richard Ashton’s fifth (17:04.1), but Southington’s depth proved too much to handle.
CTC Crowns New Kings: Diaz, Kearney Deliver
Over in the CTC conference, it was all about individual brilliance and team efficiency. Innovation senior Immanuel Kearney, who’d been seen tearing it up at the 43rd Wickham Park XC Invitational, brought that fire to Wickham Park again, claiming the CTC championship race title. Not to be outdone, Norwich Tech senior Savien Diaz ran a personal-best time of 18:39.5, winning his boys individual championship race at the same park. He absolutely crushed it, leaving Bullard-Havens junior Matthew Mitchell in second with 19:12.3 and Abbott Tech junior Joseph Georgoulis in third at 19:20.3. For the team championship in the CTC, Ellis Tech came out on top with 52 points. Abbott Tech was close behind with 63 points for second, while Bullard-Havens took third with 85. Ellis Tech showed off their own depth, with sophomore Nathan Payette finishing sixth overall as their third scorer (20:19.7), followed by junior Parker Ring (seventh overall, fourth scorer, 20:22.8), and sophomore Lucas Beavan (12th overall, fifth scorer, 20:33.6). It was a full team effort that secured their title.
What a day for cross country! These conference championships weren’t just about finishing races, they were about making a statement. Gabriel White, Immanuel Kearney, and Savien Diaz all proved they are the guys to beat, etching their names into the record books. And for teams like Southington and Ellis Tech, their dominant performances show what happens when talent and teamwork come together. The bar has been set, and everyone else in Connecticut now knows exactly what they’re up against.
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