By Michael Letendre 

MERIDEN – It’s been two weeks since the Bristol Central cross-country programs hit the courses.

The weather has played a bit of havoc with their schedule and when the Rams finally got to hit the course on Tuesday afternoon, it was a hot and muggy day in Meriden.

Both the girls and boys programs from the Mum City swept the day over Middletown and host Maloney.

The boys from BC flipped Middletown 19-40 while posting a 20-38 victory over Maloney from Hubbard Park in Meriden.

Over the winning efforts, Central is now 4-2 overall as one standout from Bristol dominated the race.

Senior Patrick Wininger easily won the event, posting a sterling time of 17:08 which was nearly a minute better than the runner up – Maloney’s Griffin DePalma (18:05).

The Rams got an outstanding effort out of freshmen Noah Pellerin, placing third in Meriden with a time of 19:06 while teammate Naythan Pellerin – another tremendous first year competitor – finished in 19:27, good for fifth place.

Other top finishers for the Rams included Rowan Hennessey (sixth, 19:32), Aiden Georgakopoulos (ninth, 20:15), Nick DiMatteo (12th, 20:24) and Beckham Barse (15th, 21:06).

In the end, it was an extremely good day for the Bristol Central boys cross country program in Meriden, putting together a little momentum for the upcoming city series bout.

BCHS Girls ruled the day as well

The girls cross program at Central is now a sterling 5-1 with wins over Middletown and Maloney on Tuesday.

And it was two squeakers for the Rams as the program won both meets by a combined four points.

It doesn’t get any closer than that.

Central defeated Maloney 27-30 and nabbed a one-point triumph over Middletown (28-29) over another great showing.

Elise Kennedy was the individual winner as the competitor from Middletown crossed the finish line in 21:09.
But Central dominated the middle of the race and when Maloney and Middletown’s runners faltered, the Rams were able to make some huge finishes to seal the win.

Another freshmen standout, Central’s Emersyn Mazzei (sixth, 22:56), was the first finisher for the Rams that afternoon while senior Katie Tran (23:04) was one spot behind.

Senior Sophia Stark (eighth, 24:09) and sophomore Emma Cavallari (tenth, 24:56) rounded out the top ten.

And critical finishes by Johannie Juarez (11th, 26:28) and Ruth Smith (12th, 27:21) helped lead the Rams to the ultimate victory. 

“[It was] another great day for Bristol Central cross country,” said Central coach Tamara Stafford-Kirk on X. “[The] boys and girls [won] against Maloney and Middletown. So great to be back on the course after being rained out a couple of times.” 

Next week, the Rams host the annual city series meet from Rockwell Park. 

This coming Thursday, Bristol Eastern and St. Paul Catholic take on the challenging course at Rockwell in what is going to be a very special event. 

Meet time is 3:45 p.m.  

Bristol Central Boys Cross Country – CCC South Meet 

BRISTOL CENTRAL 20, MALONEY 38 

BRISTOL CENTRAL 19, MIDDLETOWN 40 

from Hubbard Park, Meriden
Top 10
1. Patrick Wininger (BC), 17:08
2. Griffin DePalma (Maloney), 18:05
3. Noah Pellerin (BC), 19:06
4. Jacob Clyne (MT), 19:10
5. Naythan Pellerin (BC), 19:27
6. Rowan Hennessey (BC), 19:32
7. William Maier (Maloney), 20:09
8. Jacob Herget (Maloney), 20:10
9. Aiden Georgakopoulos (BC), 20:15
10. Jameson Sheehan (Maloney), 20:22 

Rounding out top seven for BC
12. Nick DiMatteo, 20:24
15. Beckham Barse, 21:06 

Record: Bristol Central 4-2 overall
Bristol Central Girls Cross Country – CCC South Meet 

BRISTOL CENTRAL 27, MALONEY 30 

BRISTOL CENTRAL 28, MIDDLETOWN 29 

from Hubbard Park, Meriden
Top 10
1. Elise Kennedy MT 21:09
2. Mae Browne Maloney 21:45
3. Sami Park Maloney 21:50
4. Ashley Clow MT 22:30
5. Emersyn Mazzei BC 22:56
6. Katie Tran BC 23:04
7. Caitlin Burgess MT 23:53
8. Sophia Stark BC 24:09
9. Mia Rivera Maloney 24:28
10. Emma Cavallari BC 24:56
Rounding out top 7 for BC
11. Johannie Juarez 26:28
12. Ruth Smith 27:21
18. Janelle Brand 30:57 Record: Bristol Central 5-1 overall