Off and running

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Naugatuck’s Dan Schumacher finishes first Sept. 23 during a meet versus Oxford, Torrington, Crosby and Wolcott at Hop Brook in Middlebury. –LUKE MARSHALL
Naugatuck’s Dan Schumacher finishes first Sept. 23 during a meet versus Oxford, Torrington, Crosby and Wolcott at Hop Brook in Middlebury. –LUKE MARSHALL

NAUGATUCK — The Naugatuck High boys cross country team hasn’t missed a step from last season, and the girls are right on their heels.

Led by Dan Schumacher, the defending Naugatuck Valley League champions are off to a 7-0 start after sweeping Oxford, Torrington, Crosby and Wolcott Tuesday at Hop Brook in Middlebury.

Schumacher won the meet in 17 minutes. He was followed by Brody Hale (second, 17:08), Mark Zamani (third, 17:22) and Grady Beasley (fourth, 18:29), as Brandon Thomas (seventh, 19:11) rounded out the top-10 finishers for Naugy.

Looking to repeat as NVL champions, the biggest concern for the boys going into the season was closing the gap between its runners and now that it is doing such, anything can happen the rest of the way.

“The boys did real well today as well, we’ve been closing the gap between our fourth and fifth runners which is big for us,” said William Hanley, head coach of both squads. “If we can do this every week, I don’t see why we can’t go far.”

Naugatuck’s Courtney Morin finishes third Sept. 23 during a meet versus Oxford, Torrington, Crosby and Wolcott at Hop Brook in Middlebury. –LUKE MARSHALL
Naugatuck’s Courtney Morin finishes third Sept. 23 during a meet versus Oxford, Torrington, Crosby and Wolcott at Hop Brook in Middlebury. –LUKE MARSHALL

The girls bring a strong stable of runners to the course as well. They beat Torrington, Crosby and Wolcott Tuesday and fell to Oxford to improve to 5-2 through the first two meets.

The Greyhounds were led by Courtney Morin, who finished third in 22 minutes, 22, seconds. Lauren Stankiewicz (seventh, 24:08), captain Harmony Sturdivant (eighth, 24:48) and Elizabeth Trumbley (tenth, 25:03) were among the top 10 runners on the day.
Morin and Sturdivant finished in the top 10 in their first meet of the season as well.

Hanley said every girl who ran Tuesday shaved over a minute off their times from a team scrimmage against Wolcott earlier this month. Hanley credited Sturdivant in setting the example for the ‘Hounds, as they are emulating her positive attitude and work ethic.

“We’re running real well now and are looking good so far, but we have a long way to go,” Hanley said.

Naugatuck will race Kennedy, Holy Cross, St. Paul and Wilby Tuesday at Holy Cross.