Xavier High School captured its first CIAC Boys Cross Country State Open championship since 2018 on Thursday, overcoming a runner disqualification to secure the team title at Wickham Park in Manchester, Connecticut. The victory marks a significant milestone for the program, which had not reached the top of the state's highest classification in six years.
Senior Jackson Gould, wearing bib number 385, set an aggressive early pace for Xavier in the championship race. His front-running effort helped establish the team's position before the critical middle stages of the 5,000-meter course.
The team title came despite a disqualification that could have derailed Xavier's championship hopes. The squad demonstrated depth and resilience to absorb the setback and still accumulate the lowest team score among the competing schools.
On the individual side, LaBelle claimed the State Open individual championship, crossing the finish line first to earn the top honor in Connecticut high school cross country. The individual victory adds to the program's successful day at the season-ending championship meet.
The CIAC State Open represents the culmination of the Connecticut high school cross country season, bringing together the top qualifiers from across all divisional championships. Xavier's win re-establishes the program among the state's elite after a six-year gap since their previous Open title in 2018.
