Thu., 10/20 SCC CHAMPIONSHIP East Shore Park- New Haven 1:00 pm
Boys: Defending Champions- Amity
Top Returners- Andrew Thompson (Fairfield Prep), Brendan Murray (Cheshire), Kyle Beaudette (Amity)
Individuals- The top three returners in the SCC came into the season with excellent chances to win the State Open. But Drew Thompson has been undefeated this season and has had wins at Wilton and Thetford which should make him the favorite. But don't count out Murray and Beaudette who have gone back and forth with each other over the past couple of years. Also in the lead pack will be Xavier freshman Robbie Cozean of Xavier who finished 3rd at the Wickham Invitational and 6th at the McDaniel-Baxter Invitational against many of the best runners in New York.
Teams- Xavier had a young and inexperienced team last year relying on mostly freshman and sophomores to do most of the scoring. While they fell to 6th place in the conference last year, the team only lost one senior and added a top notch freshman, Robbie Cozean who has been leading the Falcons all season. They have become one of the most improved teams in the state and their 4th place ranking in the poll backs it up. But don't count out Fairfield Prep, led by Drew Thompson and Amity led by Kyle Beaudette. Both teams have enough potential to challenge for the top spot if Xavier doesn't run their best.
Girls: Defending Champions- Amity
Top Returners- Bridgid Selfors (Mercy), Lauren Daddi (Cheshire), Abigail Bowser (Amity)
Individuals- Selfors with her 7th place finish at Wickham makes her the favorite, but Daddi has beaten her before in cross country and track, so this could be a toss- up. Emily Criscuolo of Amity has also beat Selfors in track but it's been a while since she has crossed the finish in front of her in cross country.
Teams- Cheshire is the only SCC team ranked in the top 10 in the coaches' poll and their 6th place finish at Wickham, 3rd place finish at Winding Trails and win at Windham make them undefeated against league competition. Mercy looks to be the favorite for the runner up spot, but Guilford and Hand should be up there as well.
Conference Schools:
Amity Branford Career Magnet Cheshire
Daniel Hand East Haven Fairfield Prep Foran
Guilford Hamden Hillhouse Jonathan Law
Lauralton Hall Lyman Hall Mercy North Haven
Notre Dame-WH Sacred Heart Academy Sheehan Shelton
West Haven Wilbur Cross Xavier