By Senior Correspondent Marty Ogden, Editing and Graphics by Ron Knapp
The 2025 cross country season is poised for new stars to emerge, with 18 of the top 25 finishers from the 2024 State Open having graduated. This presents considerable opportunities for emerging harriers to establish their presence. The past few years there has witnessed an overwhelming favorite for the individual title but this year a few boys are entering the season with hopes of their own post season glory. For the 26th year, MySportsResults will be offering free coverage with interviews, race videos and pictures of the meets throughout the year. As the cross country season progresses toward the championship meets in late October, let’s first consider the top boys to watch during the 2025 season.
Luke Cushing – Amity, (SR) (Class L)
Last year’s 2nd place finisher at the State Open has a solid chance at adding his name to the list of State Open championships but Cushing could potentially have plenty of company in the front of the pack. Last year he won SCCs and was runner-up behind All American Soheib Dissa at both the Class L and State Open championships. At New Englands he was a little bit off and was the 6th CT finisher in 13th place. During the indoor season he excelled with a 4:15 performance in the 1600m and secured third place in the 3200m at the State Open. Cushing developed even more consistency during outdoors, running right around 9:10 three times for 3200m, taking 2nd in the Open and 3rd at New Englands. He also lowered his PR in the 1600m to 4:14. All these numbers could put him at the top of the standings for the championship meets.
Tycen Labelle – Griswold, (JR) (Class SS)
A decorated athlete, he holds the CT Middle School Championship meet record in the 1600m. As a freshman, he achieved All-New England status in cross country, and last year he secured 5th place at the State Open and 10th at the New England championships. Success has always seemed to follow Labelle but now he is no longer the youngster, he is now a junior and with that added experience comes new opportunities to excel. During indoor track he won the Class S championship and took 5th at the State Open in the 3200m. During outdoors, he dropped down to the 1600m distance to work on his speed and was 7th at the State Open and 8th at New Englands; running PRs of 4:20 both times.
Sam Leone – East Lyme, (SR) (Class MM)
With seven seniors in the top ten at the State Open last year, 10th place…
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