The Derby High School girls’ cross country team will be honored at a banquet Jan. 29 at the A.M. Club in recognition of its CIAC Class S State championship last fall.
The program will begin promptly at 6 p.m. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m.
Tickets are $30 apiece and are available both at the DHS Athletic Office and at City Stitchers, located on Elizabeth Street. They may also be purchased at the door. The general public is cordially invited and DHS cross country alumni are particularly welcome.
The Red Raiders captured the state title – the first in the program’s history – with a sizable victory over runner-up Housatonic Valley Regional in the Class S Championship Meet at Wickham Park in Manchester. Derby tallied 55 points to Housatonic’s 99 points. Old Lyme finished third with 101 points.
Freshman Sabrina Hanock and senior captain Kiley Rodriguez finished second and fourth, respectively, in the race to earn All-Class S honors.
The Raiders’ season also was marked by a 14 – 0 dual meet record, as well as its second consecutive Naugatuck Valley League championship, and a second place finish in the seeded division of the Wickham Park Invitational.
The banquet will include a series of speakers, as well as the presentation of championship rings to the team. In addition to Hanock and Rodriguez, varsity runners included junior Nicole Rizzo; freshman Annaly Khanthaphixay; junior Rachel Fleischer; and freshmen Cassie Battaglino and Skyler Curcio. Nick DiLuggo serves as head coach.
Junior varsity members included: freshman Zoe Donnauro; seniors Anna Chevarella, Nicolette Tasi and Tiana Figueroa; junior Sara Gerckens and freshmen Claire Douglas and Rachel Gall.
A ziti and chicken dinner will be served. Joe Musante, who started the girls’ cross country program in 1988 and coached the team for its first seven years, will serve as master of ceremonies.
For tickets, or to advertise in the program booklet, please contact the DHS Athletic Office at (203) 516‑4074.
