John McCafferty
Class of 1983
John McCafferty is a standout in the pantheon of Green Wave boys’ distance running history. Perhaps best remembered for his intense competitive spirit, John’s cross country and track & field rivalries with Ken Reilly of Bethel and Steve Kittredge of East Catholic surely ranked among the best in state history.
Three times the MVP for a potent Green Wave cross country team, John sparked NMHS to unbeaten seasons and Western Connecticut Conference titles as a sophomore and junior.
He set an NMHS course record to outlast Reilly in the pivotal dual-meet race of his junior year. As a senior, John outkicked Reilly to claim the WCC individual title and lead the Green Wave to the league meet championship.
John twice finished runner up to Kittredge in state class cross country meets and finished just nine seconds behind the East Catholic ace in the 1982 state open race.
In indoor track & field, John set school and WCC records in the 800 and 1,500 meters. HIs efforts peaked with a 4:00.2 clocking for the 1,500 as he again trailed only Kittredge in the state class and state open meets.
John’s outdoor track achievements included a WCC gold in the 3,000 as a senior and multiple top five finishes in state class and state open races.
As much as he reaped numerous individual honors, it was John’s value to the Green Wave cause that was the hallmark of his Green Wave track career.
As a junior, his wins in the 800, 1,500 and 3,000 keyed a crucial dual-meet win over Weston and come-from-behind triumphs over Reilly in the 1,500 and 3,000 sparked a 75-70 clinching win over Bethel for the WCC champion Green Wave.
John also led an important win over Brookfield as a senior with wins in the 5,000 and 800 and a victorious anchor leg in the climactic 4 x 400 meters.
He capped his Green Wave career with a gold and silver in the WCC meet, a pair of thirds in the state class meet and a third and fifth at the state open.
