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01/31/2018 11:00 PMLexie Bouthillier bought into everything that Haddam-Killingworth’s cross country and track programs are about and dedicated herself to becoming one of the elite runners in the state. With still plenty of time to go in her senior year, Lexie has already collected her fair share of accolades on both the team and individual levels with the Cougars.
Lexie has earned All-Shoreline Conference and All-State honors in both of her sports, in addition to being part of three conference and state championships with the girls’ cross country team. This past fall, Lexie ran for the first H-K girls’ cross country squad to qualify for the New England Championship as a unit.
“I enjoy the individual accomplishments, but I love that I get to share the team ones with my best friends,” says Lexie, who runs the 600, 1,000, 1,600, and 4x800 relay during the indoor track season and 800 and 4x8 for the outdoor team. “For me, the constant hard work, workouts, and long-distance training all adds up to success, but everyone on the teams work extremely hard.”
In terms of the H-K record books, Lexie ran on the outdoor track team’s 4x800 relay that set a school record with a time of 9:46.72, as well the school-record distance medley relay (12:32.12), and the school-record 4x1600 relay (22:07.02). Lexie says that she’s expanded her mind as runner since her freshman year. She knows that with the proper pace and plenty of positivity, she has the ability to surpass anyone in her sights.
“In the past couple of seasons with [H-K cross country and outdoor track Head Coach] Matt Diglio, I’ve improved with my strategy. I had no strategy my freshman year,” says Lexie, who has been a varsity runner in both sports since her freshman year. “I’m also more positive during races, knowing I have the ability to pass people.”
Coach Diglio praises Lexie for her steady performance on the course, as well as her ability to be an exemplary leader and teammate.
“Lexie has been one of the most successful and consistent runners to come through our program,” says Diglio. “She was a captain of the cross country team this fall and is always so supportive of the younger girls on the team and is the consummate teammate. Lexie is a hard worker with a great personality and sense of humor and has been a pleasure to coach and work with over the years.”
Looking back on the various teams she’s been a part of, Lexie doesn’t necessarily think of all the marquee meets she’s competed at in Connecticut. Lexie really enjoys those long-distance trips where the team’s athletes get a chance to bond.
“I love going to the further-away meets, such as New Englands this fall for cross country. We stayed overnight in Maine and it was cool,” Lexie says. “In cross country, I loved traveling throughout the region and racing the bigger meets for more experience.”
H-K’s cross country and track programs have grown close throughout the years, making Lexie all the more proud to lead her cross country squad as a captain last fall.
“I was very excited to be a captain. I wanted the chance to have others look up to me,” says Lexie. “All of the girls and the guys on the team are very sweet and some are my best friends. Being captain was awesome, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.”
While fast on her feet, Lexie wants her remaining months at Haddam-Killingworth to dwindle away as slowly as possible. Lexie knows that she will always look back on her time at the high school feeling happy that she grew as both a person and an athlete, while the teammates around her did the same.
“I don’t want this year to end. When I started, I never thought we would be where we are now. I remember hearing about how small the girls’ cross country team was, so watching it grow was awesome,” says Lexie. “The opportunity to be part of a great program was a great experience, and I recommend anyone to join it.”