Connecticut Standout Looking Forward To A Move To Flagstaff For College

By Mary Albl of DyeStat/Photo by John Nepolitan

From a young age, as when he broke both the 11- and 12-year-old world track records in the 5,000 meters, Aidan Puffer has experienced a lot of individual success.

The highly decorated senior from Manchester High of Connecticut will soon be able to experience some team success as well.

Last weekend, Puffer announced via social media his commitment to run for perennial powerhouse Northern Arizona University. The NAU men’s cross country program has claimed four of the past five NCAA Division 1 team championships in men's cross country. 

“Yeah it’s really exciting,” Puffer said. “I feel I still am running 90 percent of my runs by myself and the workouts are harder to do on my own. On my official at NAU (I noticed) the way they do workouts is way different. They treat it like a race and everyone is together as a team.It’s definitely a breath of fresh air.”

Puffer, who is No. 12 in the latest DyeStat rankings, ended the 2020 cross country season seventh at the East Coast Championships in New Jersey running 16:11.7. He finished last spring with personal bests of 4:08.91 in the mile, 8:55.66 in the 2-mile and 14:26.73 in the 5,000 meters. He finished the season third at The Outdoor Nationals, presented by Nike (9:01.17). 

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Puffer said his decision came down to NAU, Oklahoma State and the University of North Carolina, but it was his summer trip to train in Arizona that played a vital role in helping him decide where he could see himself the next four years. He explained that he and his family drove out to Flagstaff where he attended a camp with some friends and soaked in the culture. 

“Most of July, I was in Arizona and when committing to NAU, Flagstaff turned into a second home for me,” Puffer said. 

Puffer will join a talented Lumberjacks roster that won the 2020 NCAA team championship (in March of 2021) with 60 points, placing four athletes in the top 10. Puffer said part of the allure of NAU and what makes the program so successful is head coach Mike Smith.

“A lot of the guys were telling me Coach Smith has another dimension to him than other coaches, and I can definitely agree to that,” Puffer said. “I think a lot of guys who chose to be at NAU, he was the reason why.”

Puffer, whose high school career has been plagued by nagging foot injuries, causing him to miss some portions of the fall season, said he’s in a good place now.

“This year I just really want to go all out and make it a memorable high school year,” Puffer said. “My training has been really good, and I’ve been feeling really good.”

Puffer said one of his goals this season is to try and break the sought after Wickham Park record of 14:58, set in 2014 by Darien’s Alex Ostberg. He’ll get his first taste of competition and a chance at the record Oct. 9 at the Wickham Park Invitational in Manchester, where he’ll go up against fellow senior and in-state rival Gavin Sherry of Conard, who owns the fourth-fastest time on the course (15:24).