North Branford Cross-Country Celebrates Successful Season

The recently held a banquet to celebrate the 2011 season, awarding several runners and updating North Branford 5k Cross-Country Course Top Seven Record Plaque.

Most Valuable Player honors went to Kevin Walker and Marissa Bale, while Ryan Proto and Chelsea Meagher received the Desire and Dedication Award. Megan Rabuffo and Ben Boatman were named Rookie of the Year.

The Most Improved Runner Award was given to Sydney Lane and Sean O’Connor. Chris Olsen earned the Coach’s Award.  

The North Branford 5K Cross-Country Course Top-Seven Record Plaque established two years ago was updated. The average time for the boys’ team from last year dropped by 25 seconds and the girls’ plaque remained the same.

Walker took over second place by clocking in at 18:39 this season, which marked a two-minute improvement from 2010. Jason Conforte added his name to the plaque as his time of 20:06 put him in the No. 5 slot.

There were 15 varsity letters awarded at the banquet including Bale, Taylor Krista, Lane, Leah Martino, Meghan McCarthy, Meagher, Megan Oakes and Rabuffo on the girls’ team and Zach Augur, Boatman, Conforte, Sean O’Connor, Olsen, Proto and Walker for the boys’ team.

On Oct. 20, North Branford traveled to Coginchaug Regional High School to compete in the . In the 12-team field, the boys placed ninth and the girls took 10th on a muddy 5K course.

, the boys competed in a 23-team, 158-runner field and came away with a 10th-place finish. There were 112 runners in the girls’ race with 16 teams competing. The T-Birds placed 14th.

. With Walker graduating, Proto will continue to lead the team next year with Meagher and O’Connor.

“The captains really did a fantastic job in leading the team and it was because of them that the team meshed so well together; they were true leaders by example,” said Coach Floyd Parness. “The outlook for next season depends on the off-season conditioning. With the experience gained from this past season, the expectations will be high for the returning team members. Preparation is key for a better season next year.”