The Birth of the "MIDDLE SCHOOL CHALLENGE"

In the mid 90's Tom McCoy, a familiar face within the area running scene, (most noted for the "fun run" event which carries his name), was appointed coach of the Stonington High School cross country
teams. His first meeting for interested students drew a total of 2 boys and 3 girls! Not even enough to score points in varsity races!

Faced with this dillema, Coach McCoy immediately allowed his endless enthusiasm for the comaraderie and sport of running to take over. He quickly began hanging and distributing flyers around the school to generate interest. And the new coach took it one step further. With the future of his teams in mind, he began visiting the area middle schools located throughout the community asking to meet with and address the students about the fun and healthy competition of team running. Almost immediately the kid's interest began to catch on and adults as well, asked what they could do to help.

Because there was no established running league for middle school competition in the area, McCoy would organize races himself, inviting students from all area middle schools to participate. With the help of the late Terry Purcell, whom McCoy says was "instrumental in helping me to organize these races"; middle school cross country competition was born!

The annual "MIDDLE SCHOOL CHALLENGE" staged each November at Stonington High school is a direct result of Coach McCoy's endless enthusiasm for the sport of running and the development of character and leadership in area youth. The first MSC was staged in 1997 and featured schools from Pawcatuck, St. Michael's, Pine Point and Mystic, CT. Later on Babcock Middle of Westerly, RI and Sacred Heart, CT also joined in the event! This past November more than 150 kids took part in the 2006 MIDDLE SCHOOL CHALLENGE cross country race!

MIDDLE SCHOOL CHALLENGE Cross Country Race
Held on the Stonington HS Cross Country Course
Distance: 1.8 Miles

Results by Year (Girl/Boy)

1997
Stephanie Carmack (Pawcatuck MS) 10:51
Will Agnello (Pawcatuck MS) 9:27

1998
Elizabeth Gauthier (Sacred Heart MS) 9:54
Sam Agnello (Pawcatuck MS) 9:11

1999
Stephanie Carmack (Pawcatuck MS) 10:31
Chad Murphy (Mystic MS) 9:34

2000
Lindsey Trubia (Mystic MS) 10:12
Bradley Blaisdale (Pawcatuck MS) 9:10

2001
Kathleen Murphy (St. Michael MS) 12:17
Andrew Rissler (Mystic MS) 8:37

2002
Katie Mangano (Babcock MS) 9:45
Kevin Agnello (Pawcatuck MS) 8:46

2003
Katie Mangano (Babcock MS) 9:18
Kevin Agnello (Pawcatuck MS) 9:04

2004
Victoria Gaccione (Babcock MS) 9:11
Nathan Bradbury (Mystic MS) 8:34

2005
Michon Dinwoodie (Babcock MS) 9:14
Tom Owens (Pine Point MS) 8:39

2006
Catherine Zerbarini (Babcock MS) 9:36
Nate McColl (Pawcatuck MS) 8:44