DERBY — Derby High School’s Boys’ and Girls’ Cross Country teams celebrated their successful 2024 season with the annual team banquet held Sunday evening at Munch eatery in Ansonia.
The athletes and their families were treated to a buffet dinner. A slide show captured the highlights and funnier moments of the season. Awards were presented, and each runner received a certificate and a Derby cross country cap.
The girls’ team posted a 10 – 3 dual meet record this fall, marking its 4th consecutive winning season and its 11th winning season in the last 12 years. The girls finished 6th in the Naugatuck Valley League Championship Meet and 9th in the Class S State Championship Meet.
The boys’ team recorded an 11 – 2 dual meet record — the program’s best since the 20 – 2 mark set by the 1984 team. The boys placed 4th in the NVL Championship Meet, the best finish for the team since Derby joined the NVL in 2009. The team finished 8th in the Class SS State Championship.
“The banquet is a way for us to recognize the strong work ethic and accomplishments of our cross country teams,” said Derby head coach Joe “Muz” Musante. “These kids are a close-knit group. They work hard, support each other and represent Derby in a positive way on and off the track.”
Marty Ogden, a former cross country and track coach at Danbury High School and Weston High School, as well as Sacred Heart University, was this year’s guest speaker. Ogden currently writes for mysportsresults.com, the go-to website for Connecticut high school cross country and track news.
“Marty won a multitude of league and state championships during his coaching tenure and is a wealth of knowledge about the sport,” Musante said. “He brought some practical advice on how each runner can turn a good season into a great season.”
Ryan Adams, assistant coach, and Athletic Director Jenn Moffat also spoke during the banquet.
Award winners were:
Most Valuable Runner: Cassie Silkoff (girls), Joel Capelle (boys).
Most Improved Runner: Julianne Meagher (girls); Mac Gray and Ferd Amartey (boys).
Senior Plaques: Cassie Silkoff, Emma Hyder, Tyler Izquierdo, Mason Izquierdo, Ferd Amartey, Quintin Simjouw and Matt Wint.
The team also included: Sofia Rudus, Jayden Cooper, Kezia Amartey, Colton Shields, Ayden Rodriguez, Shirley Diglio-Guerrette and Mia Burke.
Also in attendance were: Derby Middle School running coaches Mike Gozzo, Shelley Sheridan and Tom Fulton; Derby High School head track coach Matt Nicolari; trainer Dan Perillo; Derby Running Club (booster club) leaders Rob Hyder and Tara Hyder, and Derby Athletic Hall of Fame President Mike Cannici, who hosts various podcasts that often focus on Derby sports.
For more information about the banquet and the Derby running program, check out our social media pages:
https://www.facebook.com/DerbyRunningClubCT
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