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Somers cross country ushering in new era in 2022

adam betz, journal inquirer, manchester, conn.
·5 min read

Sep. 2—SOMERS — The question Michael Szafir and his Somers High girls cross country team used to be faced with was who could replace Kylie Raymond.

As the 2022 season fast approaches, the question is now who can replace Rachel St. Germain?

Szafir's answer may lie with sophomore Stephanie Burzynski.

"I think just watching Rachel and the way that she handled it, and having realistic expectations but also knowing how to deal with some adversity as it comes your way (will help Burzynski)," Szafir said. "It's definitely going to be a little bit of a learning curve for her.

"But she's a mature kid for her age. I think that she's ready to rise to the challenge and really compete against some of those top girls in the state."

St. Germain, who now runs at Quinnipiac, had a senior season for the ages last year.

She won her second career NCCC title, the Class S state title and the State Open championship, all while leading the Spartans to heights they'd never been.

Behind St. Germain, Somers captured its third straight NCCC team title and the program's first ever Class S state championship.

She was named the 2021 Connecticut Gatorade girls cross country Player of the Year for her efforts.

Before St. Germain, it was Raymond who was the top dog at Somers. Now a junior at American University in Washington, D.C., Raymond won three straight cross country state titles with the Spartans from 2017-19.

"I think having that top runner just helps elevate the other girls to try to pick up those places where they need to," Szafir said. "Just knowing that you're going to have a top runner that's going to be able to get you some low points that are going to help out in some of those bigger invitational meets."

Now Szafir plans to lean on Burzynski in that top runner role. He said she's ready for the pressure that that role brings.

"Last year was so exciting because the town kind of got behind these girls and were excited for them," Szafir said. "I think Stephanie has some big shoes to fill."

Burzynski was Somers' No. 2 runner during her freshman campaign. She finished fourth at the NCCC championship meet, fourth at the Class S state championship meet and 23rd overall — 19th in team scoring — at the State Open.

She credits St. Germain with helping her learn the ropes throughout 2021.

"Last year, I was the only freshman and I had never run cross country before," Burzynski said. "She kind of took me under her wing. Same with all the other girls. They showed me what to do."

Though Burzynski will have to fill a bulk of the void left by St. Germain, she'll have plenty of experience around her to help out.

Somers returns seven of its eight runners from last year.

"Honestly, I think we do have a big, good pack," senior Gracie Flynn said. "I think just working hard over the summer. The season begins in September, but it really does start in June and July when you're working hard on your own. I think we're all working hard and we can get faster times."

Flynn was a captain as a junior last year and was the Spartans' No. 3 runner. She placed sixth at the NCCC meet and eighth overall — seventh in team scoring — at the Class S meet.

She's expected to move into the No. 2 spot this season.

"We've been pushing through the heat lately, obviously. But we did an 800 workout around this field the other day and it was great," Flynn said. "We were all hitting a little bit above out pace, which coach didn't like. But being able to hold that was definitely a good sign."

Coming off the team's first state championship has added even more motivation to those early season practices.

"I think it was a big confidence boost knowing that we've done it before as such a small school," junior Dara Salka said. "Like we only had eight girls on the team whereas some schools have like 20 girls on the team. Being able to do that as such a small school is amazing. It just shows how much work everyone has put in."

Salka is expected to be Somers' No. 3 runner in 2022. As the No. 4 last year, she was 12th at the NCCC meet and 17th overall — 15th in team scoring — at the Class S championship.

Somers opens the season Sept. 14 when it welcomes Stafford. But the first date circled on the Spartans' calendar is the Wickham Park Invitational Oct. 8.

"I think that's going to be one that's going to show kind of what's going to happen at states because we'll be racing against Class S," Flynn said. "So we'll see where we stand at the moment."

While the Wickham Invitational will be a benchmark, Burzynski knows that all roads will lead back to Wickham Park for the Class S state meet Oct. 29.

"During the season, it's kind of like 'Okay, this is what we're prepping for. This is what we're training for,'" she said. "So even with eight girls, it's small but we're all tight and help each other out."

The NCCC meet is scheduled for Oct. 19 at Bolton High while the State Open is Nov. 4 at Wickham Park.

"I definitely think our team can win NCCCs. Our team might go 1, 2 in that," Flynn said. "Then at states, I think we're going to win. Obviously it's going to be tight with a couple of schools. But honestly, we've worked hard and we know where we should be. I hope that we can bring our team to the State Open."

For coverage of UConn football and men's basketball as well as area high school and local youth sports, follow Adam Betz on Twitter: @AdBetz1, Facebook: Adam Betz — Sports Writer, and Instagram: @AdBetzJI.