SWC Cross Country Preview

SWC Girls 

The SWC girls race features five returning girls who earned All State last fall by virtue of their top 25 finish at the State Open.  Any other year, any of them would be a favorite to win but sophomore Kate Wiser has come on the scene and already become one of the greatest distance runners in the history of the SWC. 

Wiser was State Open runner up last fall and took the winter off.  She came back for outdoor track and set the All Time conference record in the 3200m with 10:36 to win the State Open in the event.  She also ran the 3^rd fastest time in SWC history and broke 5 minutes in the 1600m. 

If anyone is going to seriously challenge Wiser, it will be senior Angela Saidman of Immaculate who won SWCs her freshman and sophomore years.  The Pomperaug freshman dashed Saidman's chances of sweeping four straight SWC titles when Wiser finished four seconds in front of the defending champion last year. 

Just like the individual title, the battle for the team champion should come down to Pomperaug and Immaculate.  Immaculate has a powerful top two in Saidman and Taylor Mascetta but Pomperaug is also strong up front with Wiser and Maddie Villa, who was 6^th last year at SWCs.  But the Panthers real strength is their depth.  They have five All Conference runners returning from last fall and their JV team, which is all returning, took five of the top six places. 

Newtown should be in the mix and will be led by Emily Tressler who earned All State last fall with her 8^th place finish at the Class LL meet.   They have three girls who finished in the top 24 last year but will need to develop more depth to reach the top two.