Schools

First Run on New Cross Country Course

Defending state champs finally get a course to call their own.

 

Last year, the Oxford High School girls cross country team won the Class S state title despite the fact that they didn’t have their own cross-country course.

But that has changed thanks to the efforts of the Oxford Youth Conservation Corps, cross country members and many community volunteers.

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The Wolverines have their first home meet, ever, Wednesday afternoon at Oxford High School. The team will compete against Joel Barlow, Kolbe Cathedral and New Milford at 4 p.m. The course is on a large swath of town-owned open space that borders school property. 

“I’m really excited,” said junior cross-country runner Brianna Hoffner. “It’s nice to finally have a home meet."

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Runners say the hills on the course are difficult, and coach Ed Lucas quipped that there “isn’t a level spot on the whole thing.” Still, the team is excited, as is Lucas, who has spent many hours weed-whacking on the course and getting it primed for competition.

Lucas said many cross-country runners contributed to creating the course. Senior runner Richard Katrenya said he spent hours painting the course and cutting brush.

“There are a few places that use the state forest as their home course,” he said. “But we built our own, so it’s a part of us.”


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