This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
11/04/2024 10:00 AMThe Old Saybrook Rams boys and girls cross country team is running to the finish line as the 2024 season winds down. On Oct. 26, the Rams competed at the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) Class S state championships.
The boys' team finished 11th out of 21 teams, and the girls' team finished seventh out of 16 teams. Gordon Martino (sophomore) was awarded all-state honors.
“The girls finished seventh overall in the process, which was a nice accomplishment. Hannah Belknap (sophomore) was our top finisher at 29th place,” said Head Coach Peter Capezzone. “On the boys' end, we finished 11th overall. Our top finisher was Gordon Martino, who finished 11th, giving him all-state honors.”
Other top contributors from the state championships include Cassandra Garcia (junior) and Sadie Hedge-Terreri (freshman), who finished in the top 50. For the boys, other top contributors include Everett Miller (senior, captain), who finished 27th overall.
Starting off their 2024 season, the Rams competed on Sept. 7 at the 17th annual Vineyard XC Invitational in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.
“We very much enjoyed going to Martha’s Vineyard. It was a great meet and a great way to start out the season with this being our first race,” said Capezzone. “We are very much looking forward to starting up the season with this race again next year.”
The boys' team finished 10th out of 16 teams, with Martino finishing 22nd and Miller finishing 37th. The girls' team finished 10th out of 12 teams, with Belknap finishing 47th.
Leading the Rams this season are Belknap and Miller. Capezzone praised Miller and Catherine “Cat” Pamment (senior, captain) for their leadership.
“Our captains are hard workers, and the kids follow along with how they do things. They lead by example, and hopefully, it will bring the team further along in the future.
On Oct. 17, the Rams competed at the Shoreline Athletic Conference (SLC) Championships. Martino finished 12th overall, with Miller finishing 20th. The boys team finished sixth overall out of ten teams.
Belknap finished 19th overall in the SLC championships, with Garcia finishing 34th overall. The girls' team finished eighth overall out of ten teams.
“I thought the kids ran well; we are a very young team, with only two seniors, one on each team. These kids are dedicated, they run hard, and do what is asked of them,” said Capezzone. “I think that we did exceptionally well, and I think that we are going to get better and better in the years to come. It is one of those years that you have to do some learning, which is okay.”
Both Miller and Belknap were on the second team All-Shoreline Conference teams.
Having a younger team is a challenge in itself; however, Capezzone noted that the team overcame these challenges throughout the season.
“I think we faced some of the usual setbacks, but I think they persevered pretty well. By the time the SLC and state championships came along, and we were able to regroup,” said Capezzone. “We were a very young this year with only two seniors on the team. I believe that we got stronger and stronger as the season went on, despite having a younger team.”
Looking ahead, Martino is the only runner representing the Rams at the Class S State Opens Championships on Thursday Oct. 31.
Capezzone is assisted by Erin Lopez.
The Rams boys team roster includes Miller, Finn McCann (junior), Chase Comboni (sophomore), Blewitt Dillion (sophomore), Andrews Gonzalez (sophomore), Marcus Lowry (sophomore), Martino, Ian Maxon (sophomore), Jack Miller, (sophomore), Max Siegel (sophomore), Jude Tisdale (sophomore), and Josh Lopez-Cazail (freshman).
The Rams girls team roster includes Pamment, Mia Casertano (junior), Garcia, Belknap, Camellia Motolanez (sophomore), Catherine Berner (freshman), Hedge-Terreri, Alexandra Oliver (freshman), Camilla Pugliese (freshman), and Karly Schneider (freshman).