Young Wilton Runners Earn Spots At National Race

WILTON, Conn. – Two runners from the Wilton Running Club earned the right to compete in the Junior Olympic Cross Country national championships with strong races in Saturday’s regional competition at Eisenhower Park on Long Island.

Wilton's Aaron Breene runs during Sunday's race in Long Island. He finished seventh and qualified to run in the Junior Olympic national championships.
Photo Credit: *Contributed by Julie Breene*

Angela Saidman of the Wilton Running Club runs to a second-place finish in the Midget Girls division.
Photo Credit: *Contributed by Julie Breene*

Wilton's Aaron Breen runs in a crowd at the outset of Sunday's race.
Photo Credit: *Contributed by Julie Breene*

Wilton runners (left to right) Ben Ruffing, Owen Callahan and Aaron Breen get together before their race.
Photo Credit: *Contributed by Julie Breene*

Angela Saidman of the Wilton Running Club gets ahead of the pack during Sunday's race.
Photo Credit: *Contributed by Julie Breene*

Tom Renner

11/19/2012 2:00 p.m.

Angela Saidman finished second in the division for Midget Girls, who were born in 2000 and 2001. Aaron Breene finished seventh in the Youth Boys for runners born in 1998 and 1999.

In all, seven Wilton runners competed, and each ran personal bests.

“They peaked at just the right time,’’ said Mary Zengo, the club’s distance running coach. “I couldn’t be more proud of them.”

Saidman ran the 3-kilometer course in 10:17. Breene ran 13:51 for the 4K course to qualify for nationals for the second straight year.

Emily Welch finished 47th in the Midget Girls race, while Susie Martin was 47th in the Youth Girls race. Among the boys, Flynn Crowther was 73rd in the Midget Boys, Ben Ruffing was 27th in the Youth Boys and Owen Callahan was 83rd in the Youth Boys.

The Junior Olympic nationals will be run Dec. 8 in Albuquerque, N.M.

Click here to follow Daily Voice Wilton and receive free news updates.