Young New Canaan Runners Race At State Jr. Olympics

NEW CANAAN, Conn. – Cali Brannan finished third in her age group to lead six runners from the New Balance New Canaan Running Club at the Connecticut Junior Cross Country championships in Litchfield, Conn., on Sunday.

New Canaan runners (left to right) Dixie DAmelio, Cali Brannan, Dylan Wiedtfeldt, Christian Meier, Christopher Carratu and Henry Asker stand with coach Alexandra Portonova.
Photo Credit: *Contributed by Rito Meier*

New Canaan's Cali Brannan hustles to a third place finish in her division at the Junior Olympic state cross country championships.
Photo Credit: *Rito Meier*

Dixie D'Amelo of the New Canaan Running Club runs in Sunday's race.
Photo Credit: *Contributed by Rito Meier*

Christopher Carratu of the New Canaan Running Club competes in Sunday's race.
Photo Credit: *Contributed by Rito Meier*

New Canaan runners (left to right) Christopher Carratu, Henry Asker, Christian Meier and Dylan Wiedtfeldt get ready at the starting line.
Photo Credit: *Contributed by Rito Meier*

Tom Renner

11/13/2012 2:00 p.m.

Brannan was the only New Canaan runner to advance to the regional championships. She finished third in the Midget Girls division. She finished in 11:40.48 for the 3K course. Dixie D’Amelio also ran in the Midget Girls race, for girls born in 2000 and 2001.

Christian Meier was New Canaan’s top boy finisher, taking 31st in the Midget Boys division. He finished the 3K course in 12:05.67. Other boys who competed for New Canaan were Henry Asker, Christoper Carratu and Dylan Wietfeldt.

This was the first year the team competed at the Junior Olympics. The club started in the spring. Alexandra Portonova coached the runners in Sunday's races. For more information on the club, visit its website.

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