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WILTON, Conn. Wiltons Aaron Breene finished 11th Saturday at the National Junior Olympics Cross Country championships in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Aaron, who competes for the Wilton Running Club, covered the 3-kilometer course at Whispering Pines Golf Course in a personal best 10:11 and earned All American status in the Midget age division. Breene qualified for the national championships by winning the Connecticut and New England championships.
Aaron joined the Wilton Running Club when he was in third grade after he came first in the Turkey Trot and has enjoyed running ever since. He competes in various events throughout the year, including New Canaan's Great Train Race, Wilton's Halloween Hustle and the Smart Race.
Aaron credits his success to his hard work, commitment and the support of his coaches Mary Zengo, Fred Gaston and Kevin Foley.
Aaron set a course record in his victory in Connecticut, breaking a record held by Dariens Alex Ostberg, a former runner for Wilton Running Club. His success culminates a strong fall season for the young Wilton runners, including state champions Clint Corso, Tyler Zengo and Breene. Many of the Wilton runners also set personal bests.
What is amazing is to see the improvement Aaron was able to do after the New England race, Mary Zengo said. He continued to practice with me and a small group of other runners. Those workouts pushed him to the next level, and he set a personal record, running a 5:28 pace. That is huge to peak at the right moment.
Wilton was also well represented at the regional meet with Flynn Crowther, Ben Ruffing, Elizabeth Wells, Tyler Zengo, Davis Langhoff, Julia Hergenrother, Clint Corso, Sarah Battapaglia and Maddy Abrahamson also qualifying.
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