3.1 Cliffy
Coach Christine Clifton, a first year coach for the girls' team in 97', earned the nickname "3.1 Cliffy" at the East Haven Invitational. After repeated measurements by team captain Mike Boney and Brian Chaput of the new East Haven course, the two outstanding harriers were absolutely positive that the course was 3.1 miles long. Wouldn't you think that your coach's assistant would congratulate the 1-2 punch after capping off their personal bests of 16:41, and 16:54? NO. Before the conventional "Nice race", or "Awesome job guys", she shouts out "there is no way this course is 3.1 miles. I can run this course right now and qualify for the Olympics." For someone who had never even measured the course herself, she was pretty confident on her visual measurements. After the cooldown, while walking into the school, fellow teammate Tony Violano persisted to shout out "3.1 Cliffy,..... 3.1,... 3.1 Cliffy." The nickname stuck throughout the season.