CROSS COUNTRY 2014


Westies lose in Milford
Tough course leads to slower day
By CAITLIN OBEREMPT
Westie Blue
(October 3, 2014) - 
The West Haven boys cross country team continued its season at Eisenhower Park in Milford Friday. The boys ran against Jonathan Law, Platt Tech, Foran, and Stratford.


























Tyler DeGroate of the West Haven boys cross country team. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.

The course was tough on all teams, as most runners ran a minute slower than their normal times. The course was long and required runners to run around a horse corral and across fields. Junior Ryan Weber was West Haven's top runner in 20 minutes, 13 seconds. Senior Haroon Chaudhry was next in 20:25, followed by sophomore Dylan Salvatore in20:55. Sophomore Iman Mounir was West Haven's fourth runner in 22:15, followed by senior Chhinnarin Tuy in 23:45.

Westies fall in Hamden
WH swept by Hamden, Hillhouse and Foran
By TYLER DeGROATE
Westie Blue
Mike Madera contributed to this article
(September 30,0 2014) -
 The West Haven boys cross country team traveled to Hamden's Brooksvale Park to compete against Foran, Hillhouse and Hamden. Unfortunately for the Westies, they were swept, falling to Hillhouse, 19-41, Hamden, 15-50, and Foran, 15-50. 





























Jake Smith of the West Haven cross country team, September 30, 2014. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Even though it was a loss, the team members made personal bests on their times for the year. The course included a spiral hill and a farm.
Ryan Weber was West Haven's top finisher in 19 minutes, 27 seconds. Haroon Chaudhry was second on the team in 19:54, Dylan Salvatore was third in 20:34 and Chhinnarin Tuy was fourth on the Westies in 22:49. Chad Peckham rounded out West Haven's top five in 22:50.

Westies win first of Year
WH defeats Career, falls to Branford and Prep
By TYLER DeGROATE
Westie Blue
Mike Madera contributed to this article
(September 23, 2014) -
 The West Haven boys cross country team had its second meet of the season Tuesday afternoon. 
Against Branford, Fairfield Prep and Career, the Westies were able to defeat Career 15-49. The Westies fell to Branford, 15-50, and Fairfield Prep, 15-50. 
This meet had a beautiful course through Branford's Supply Pond, which snakes in and out of a lush forest to the finish. 
Junior Ryan Weber was West Haven's top runner in the 2.9 mile course in a time of 20 minutes, 29 seconds. Senior Haroon Chaudhry was next in 20:30 and sophomore Dylan Salvatore was three seconds behind at 20:33. 
Junior Chad Peckham finished fourth on West Haven in 22:51 and Jake Smith was fifth in 23:04. 

Westies fall in Season Opener
WH drops decisions to Cheshire, Xavier and Lyman Hall
By TYLER DeGROATE
Westie Blue
Mike Madera contributed to this article
(September 16, 2014) -
 The West Haven boys cross country team held its opening meet of the season against Cheshire, Xavier and Lyman Hall at Wharton Brook State Park in Wallingford Tuesday afternoon. 
With all their Westie pride, spirit and gall, the runners gave a valiant effort, but, in the long run, the Westies were defeated by the three opposing teams. West Haven fell to Lyman Hall 15-48, Xavier 15-50 and Cheshire 15-50. 
The 5K course was extremely difficult with a small, but steep, hill which caught most of the team off guard with the hill being in the middle of the course. The course was also run twice. 

























Tyler DeGroate of West Haven against Cheshire, Xavier and Lyman Hall, September 16, 2014. Photo courtesy of Tyler DeGroate.
Junior Ryan Weber  was West Haven's top runner and 29th overall in 20 minutes, 29 seconds. Senior Haroon Chaudhry was second on the Westies and 30th overall in 20:30, sophomore Dylan Salvatore was 33rd in 20:33 and senior Chhinnarin Tuy was 35th in 22:50. 



















Jake Smith of West Haven against Cheshire, Xavier and Lyman Hall, September 16, 2014. Photo courtesy of Tyler DeGroate.
Junior Chad Peckham was fifth on the Westies and 36th overall in 22:51 and Jake Smith was 37th overall in 23:04. 



















Ryan Weber of West Haven against Cheshire, Xavier and Lyman Hall, September 16, 2014. Photo courtesy of Tyler DeGroate.


Westies off the Pace
Regular season finale ends with loss to Sacred Heart Academy
By CAITLIN OBEREMPT
Westie Blue
(October 7, 2014) -
 The West Haven girls cross country team ran in its only home meet of the season and West Haven's last regular meet of the season at Painter Park Tuesday afternoon against Sacred Heart Academy.
In a loss to the Pacers, the course consisted of two loops and required the runners to run up a couple of hills.


























Kelly Sullivan runs against Sacred Heart Academy, October 7, 2014. Photo courtesy of Caitlin Oberempt.
Kelly Sullivan was West Haven's top runner and seventh overall in 23 minutes, 31 seconds. Sullivan was followed by seniors Elise Abu-Sitteh (19th overall) and Yalda Jabarkhyl (20th overall) in 29 minutes.


























Yalda Jabarkhyl runs against Sacred Heart Academy, October 7, 2014. Photo courtesy of Caitlin Oberempt.
Sophomore Paige Sheridan was third for West Haven and 23rd overall in 31:02, followed by junior Caitlin Oberempt (24th overall) in 31:09. Chloe Biagetti (25th overall) finished off West Haven in 31:40.






















Caitlin Oberempt (l.) and Paige Sheridan (r.) run against Sacred Heart Academy, October 7, 2014. Photo courtesy of Caitlin Oberempt.

Off and Running
Westies continuing to improve
By CAITLIN OBEREMPT
Westie Blue
(September 30, 2014) -
 After a little rain soaked the course in Hamden, the West Haven girls cross country team ran its hearts out Tuesday afternoon. With a meet taking place at Brooksvale Park against Hamden, Foran, and Hillhouse, the race required the teams to run a loop that was a mile long three times. Due to the bad weather, the girls and boys ran together, which pleased everyone. In the end, West Haven fell to the Green Dragons, 15-49, Foran, 17-44, and Hillhouse, 17-39.




























Kelly Sullivan of the West Haven girls cross country team, September 30, 2014. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.

The West Haven boys and girls teams also remembered their teammate, Alejandro Zitlalpopoca, with shirts that have his last name and 9/1/14 on the back. 
Senior Kelly Sullivan was West Haven's top runner, finishing in 24 minutes and 4 seconds. Sullivan was 13th overall. Senior Yalda Jabarkhyl was 21st overall in 28:29 and junior Caitlin Oberempt was 25th overall in 31:27. Paige Sheridan of the West Haven girls cross country team, September 30, 2014. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske. Sophomore Paige Sheridan was 26th overall in 31:58 and junior Chloe Biagetti was 27th overall in 34:28.

Westies defeat Career
WH falls to Branford and Lauralton Hall
By CAITLIN OBEREMPT
Westie Blue
(September 23, 2014) -
 The second meet for the West Haven girls cross country team had its ups and downs, which included the Westies picking up their first win of the season against Career, 15-50. The girls lost to Lauralton Hall and Branford by scores of 15-50 to each.  
The meet took place at picturesque Branford Supply Pond. All West Haven runners said they enjoyed the course, even with the course consisting of three loops, and requiring runners to run up steep hills and on narrow trails.  
Senior Kelly Sullivan was West Haven's top runner, finishing 18th overall in 26 minutes and 59 seconds. Senior Elise Abu-Sitteh finished 22nd overall in 28:35 and senior Yalda Jabarkhyl was 25th in 29:00. Sophomore Paige Sheridan was 32nd overall in 32:34 and junior Caitlin Oberempt 33rdoverall in 32:39. Sophomore Nasrin Jabarkhyl was 34th in 33:00 and junior Chloe Biagetti was 37th in 35:00.

Westies swept in Opener
Girls open with losses to Cheshire, Lyman Hall and Mercy
By CAITLIN OBEREMPT
Westie Blue
Mike Madera contributed to this article
(September 16, 2014) -
 The West Haven girls cross country team opened its season Tuesday afternoon at Wharton Brook State Park. Despite their best efforts, the girls fell to Cheshire, Lyman Hall and Mercy. The Westies lost to Lyman Hall 16-47, Cheshire 15-50 and Mercy 15-50. 
The 5K course proved to be difficult for all West Haven runners as the course consisted of hills and required runners to run the course twice. 
Senior Kelly Sullivan was West Haven's top runner, finishing 23rd overall in 26 minutes, 33 seconds. Senior Elise Abu-Sitteh was 29th overall in 30:50 and senior Yalda Jabarkhyl was 30th in 30:50. 
Sophomore Nasrin Jabarkhyl was 31st at 31:40, sophomore Paige Sheridan was 32nd in 31:52 and junior Caitlin Oberempt was 33rd in 32:00.

THE HOME OF WEST HAVEN SPORTS

WestieBlue