Notre Dame-West Haven Placed Sixth at Moonlight Madness
The team represented Connecticut among 23 boys squads in New Hampshire.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Running
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Notre Dame-West Haven finished sixth out of 23 boys teams at the Moonlight Madness Cross-Country Invitational. The event, which drew 32 schools total, featured a unique night course at the Cheshire Fairgrounds.
Why it matters
The invitational offered a challenging night race that tested the endurance of athletes on a course exceeding standard 5K distances. It served as a unique long-distance training experience for the team, requiring a 2.5-hour bus trip to compete.
Dan Carone led the team in 21st place with a time of 16:56.1, followed by Gavin Eddy in 22nd with a 17:00 finish. Christopher DePalma placed 57th among the 180 athletes competing in the invitational.
The players
Notre Dame-West Haven
This is a private Catholic high school located in West Haven that maintains a competitive athletic program.
Dan Carone
He is a cross-country athlete for Notre Dame-West Haven who led his team in the invitational.
Gavin Eddy
He is a distance runner for the Notre Dame-West Haven cross-country team.
Christopher DePalma
He is a member of the Notre Dame-West Haven cross-country squad who competed in the New Hampshire meet.
The details
Runners navigated a course featuring hard-packed gravel and grass, including a hill they climbed twice and a path that ran through a barn. The race took place under artificial lighting, requiring the team to return to West Haven at 1 a.m. after the event.
Timeline
The Moonlight Madness Cross-Country Invitational occurred on October 2, 2026.
Season Trajectory
Participating in unique invitational meets outside of state borders allows teams to measure themselves against diverse regional competition. This performance positions Notre Dame-West Haven as a notable contender as they progress toward post-season championship rounds.
The team finished sixth in the field, indicating strong depth among the top individual runners who placed in the top 25. This result provides the coaching staff with critical performance benchmarks as they refine their rotation for upcoming regional qualifying meets.
The takeaway
Competing in specialized night meets provides athletes with unique environmental challenges that differ significantly from standard daylight races. These experiences help runners adapt to varied terrains and lighting conditions while fostering team camaraderie through travel.
Further reading
For more news on local athletic performances, visit Running.
Live Poll
Would you encourage local youth sports teams to participate in unconventional cross-state invitational events?
