By Special Correspondent John Fixx, Editing and Graphics by Ron Knapp

RESULTS

INDIANAPOLIS — Connecticut runners performed strongly at the USATF National Junior Olympic XC Championships, held Saturday outside Indianapolis, Indiana. The meet unfolded amid a driving snowstorm that blanketed the rolling hills and frozen grasses, testing not only speed but resilience and courage.

Earning All-American distinction by finishing in the top-25 nationally were Gabi Pereira, Luca Parente, Alden Comeau, Luke Schupp and Lilyana Markavich. 

In the 13-14 year-old girls 4000m race, State XC champion Gabi Pereira opened in 50th position after 400m and ground down the competition, driving hard over the final 500 meter snow-covered straight away to nab 8th place and a spot in the front row on the podium when they handed out medals. Frozen afterward, Pereira stated she loves big-time racing, testing herself against the nation’s fastest girls.

Gabi Pereira also helped her Danbury Hatters Track Club five-person team of Maddie Staib, Sadie Borken, Ashley Brining and Lucia Molisani to a seventh-place finish nationally out of nearly 100 teams — one of the best USATF team results at this age level in Connecticut history.

Gabi was 1st in New England and 1st in Connecticut, with Maddie, Sadie, Ashley and Lucia 2d, 3rd, 4th and 5th from the Nutmeg State.

The boys 11 and 12 year-old 3000m race was a barn-burner that resulted in top finishes for Nutmeg harriers. State XC champion Luca Parente traded the lead with last week’s AAU champion Robert Stepanov as they ran through the snow. Stepanov edged Parente by a slim margin of 10:24.0 to 10:24.2 in a field of over 300 runners.

Right behind Luca, taking 8th place, Middletown's rising star Alden Comeau surged past 40 runners in the second half of the race to claim his All-American status in 10:55.5, as well, building on his 2nd place finish at AAU nationals last week.

Country School alumnus Luke Schupp, now running for Avon Old Farms, finished 10th nationally in the 15-16 age group in 18:56.4 over the 5k course to earn All-American Junior Olympic honors and a big smile.

Perennial Junior Olympic competitor Lilyana Markavich, running in the coldest, worst conditions of the day over the 5k course, came across the line in in 22:22.6 for 16th place in her 15-16 age group to not only earn her spot on the medal stand but a few frozen fingers as well.

Seven-year-old Simon Ouellet, from the Country School squad, opened the meet with a personal best of 9:03.7 in the 2000m, finishing third in New England and first from Connecticut.

Country School’s Alexandra Killam finished in 13:01.9 placed first in New England and 42nd nationally in the 3000m out of 247 9-10 year old runners, building on her previous All-American status. Sister Liv Killam, a USATF All-American from Country School, finished first in New England and 29th overall in a field of more than 300 11-12 year old runners covering 3000m in 12:01.5 .

As the snow settled in Indianapolis, Connecticut’s runners proved they belong on the national stage. With many athletes now turning their focus to the indoor track season or preparations for outdoor competition, this championship weekend stands as both a celebration and a powerful springboard for what comes next for this next generation.

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