Historic Championship for XC Terriers

Rocky Hill boys’ cross-country won a state championship for the first time in program history. The boys are pictured with the girls’ team that had a top-five finish as well.

For the first time in program history, boys’ cross-country at Rocky Hill High School have been crowned state champions, capturing the Class SS title at Wickham Park on Oct. 28.

The Terriers had five runners place in the top 16 finishers, holding off runner-up Suffield (50-59) on an unseasonably warm late-October morning. 

Head coach Austin Bobrow said that he knew his team had championship capabilities, yet described the feeling as “almost disbelief” once it was official.

Prior to the results being announced, Bobrow did his own math and then asked assistant coach Connor Leone to double check his numbers.  

“We were ecstatic to be the first one in school history,” stated Bobrow. “Knowing how hard they worked made it even better. Starting from the end of track season, they were on a mission.”

A season ago, the Terriers finished second overall at the Class M championships as standout senior Brayden Bayek won the meet individually. Following the graduation of Bayek – who is now running for George Washington University – a dedicated group of runners who played supporting roles in 2022 took the lead this fall. 

Sophomore Brian Smith placed 4th individually at states, running a 17:20. Smith said the team had some nerves getting off the bus, but the feelings were “mostly excitement.”

“It was another race, but we had a complete focus on that day,” added Smith. “We put forth so much effort for it; we’ve been training all year for this.”

Finishing just two seconds behind Smith was junior teammate Daniel DiTunno, who placed 5th overall with a time of 17:22. 
DiTunno said the team winning was an “incredible felling”, adding, “We all did so well, but at the same time we did it together.”

Corey Christensen (12th / 17:47), Ayden Collura (13th / 17:58), and Logan Simons (16th / 18:17) secured the other scoring spots for Rocky Hill. 

Christensen said that it’s the close “culture” on the running program that adds to the thrill of becoming a champion.

“Saturday was a big day for all of us,” added Christensen. “It’s the first time our school has won a championship in anything since 2014, so pretty impressive.”

One of the program’s mottos is “team over individual” and Collura said that the results as the state meet epitomized the slogan. 
“Everyone had their individual goals, but the one goal that trumped everything else was the team state championship,” added Collura.

Along with battling the best running teams in their division, the Terriers also battled temperatures that reached 81 degrees and the wet, muddy conditions of the hilly course in Manchester posed another challenge. 

Simons said the team made sure to hydrate on the days leading up, adding. “We came in prepared. Weather is the great equalizer for everyone, but we came in ready to go.” 

Anaia Abraham (30th) and Alex Gau (97th) rounded out the Rocky Hill trailblazers that competed in the race featuring 170 finishing runners. 

“We have great teamwork skills and we’re able to work together as a team to achieve a goal,” stated Abraham. 

Gau added, “It’s really special. Running is one factor, but our connection is another. It’s really nice to have these people helping support you to become a better person and better runner at the same time.” 

Coming into this fall, Bobrow noted that he would have depth and said that the team’s ability to log miles in the offseason made all the difference. 

“When we are doing workouts they are slamming them,” added Bobrow, who said the team is also mentally strong. “They train really hard. We want them to experience discomfort so when they race they are mentally prepared to navigate the discomfort.”

After winning the state championship, the runners celebrated the school’s Homecoming Dance that same night, bringing their championship sign and medals along with them for pictures and to show off their championship hardware.

Bobrow said the team’s bond outside of competition is equal to their competitive nature during races, adding that the “stars were aligned this year”

“My hope is that they can leave here as good friends for life,” Bobrow added.

Luckily for Bobrow he won’t have to worry about them departing for another year as all seven runners will be back next year as the team attempts to repeat. 

The girls team also performed well, placing fifth overall as a team at the Class M championships with freshman Taylor Suffish leading the way, placing sixth individually with a time of 21:26.

Suffish said she even surprised herself with the finish, adding that being there with her team was the best part. 

​“The team was supporting me at all the different spots on the course and they cheer me on throughout it, so that gets you to keep going.” added Suffish.