The Amity-Woodbridge boys’ cross country team had the kind of season in 2005 for which certain teams can only dream. The Spartans earned a league (Southern Connecticut Conference), state (Class LL) and New England championship — and even narrowly lost at the State Open.
    Just two of Amity’s varsity runners returned this season and coach Bob Orgovan wasn’t sure what he had on his hands. But the Spartans still had another successful season, qualifying for both the Open and New England events, finishing tied for fifth and ninth, respectively.
    Leading the way was two-time All-Area runner Wesley Halstead, this year’s Register MVP in boys’ cross country.
    “I feel this season was more meaningful,” Halstead said. “Last year, we had more talent and better performances. This year, the younger guys came a long way and that will benefit us the next couple of years.”
    Halstead also earned two-time All-SCC laurels and two-time All-State (for Class LL) honors in addition to All-New England honors this year for finishing 22nd in the race Nov. 11 in North Sciutate, R.I. The senior captain came a long way from what Orgovan remembered from his freshman year.
    Orgovan relayed the story how in Halstead’s first practice, he was determined to finish a 5-mile run. Approximately 100 yards from the finish line, Halstead collapsed of heat exhaustion. He also noted how Halstead was cut from the indoor track team as a freshman.
    “He ran every day in the cold winter all by himself,” Orgovan said. “He’d run by us (during Amity’s practice) every day. He did show us. To turn into one of the best kids I ever had (for cross country) is really something.”
    Halstead had the drive to succeed this year to prove the Spartans wouldn’t just fall off the radar just because people graduated. He also tried to help the younger varsity runners along as best he could.
    “The older guys who did pay attention to me when I was younger cared about what was going on (with the entire team),” Halstead said. “That stayed with me. I always tried to listen to what they had to say and give them pointers.”