East Lyme — The East Lyme boys’ cross country team is a loose bunch.

But the Vikings are all business when they step to the starting line.

“These guys know when to flip the switch,” coach Mike Flynn said. “I let them be super loose. I always joke with them that a lot of days if people came to practice they’d be like, `You guys don’t have one of the best programs in New England, right?’ Because they’re loose and they’re joking and I let them be themselves.

“Running so hard and it’s so demanding that, especially when we’re not doing a workout or a race, keeping it light helps.”

The results back that up.

East Lyme has built a powerhouse program under the direction of Flynn, who has guided his team to two straight Class MM state titles.

The roster has changed over the years but not the mentality.

Tuesday’s Eastern Connecticut Conference Division I meet was a runaway, as East Lyme defeated previously unbeaten Norwich Free Academy, 21-37, and also beat New London, 15-50, at Rocky Neck State Park. The Vikings improved to 7-0, 4-0. The Wildcats (6-1, 3-1), also beat New London, 15-50.

East Lyme senior Sean McCauley broke his own course record, crossing the finish line in a winning time of 15 minutes, 34 seconds. Teammate Sam Leone placed second (16:04) and Jilali Benjdid finished third (16:15). NFA’s Anthony DeBartolo (16:19) and Patrick Croughwell (16:27) rounded out the top five.

McCauley took charge early in the 3.1 mile race.

“I wanted to make it as simple as possible,” McCauley said. “I didn’t want to mess around and wait for a mile or two and then go.”

The Vikings have had some impressive performances this year.

Last weekend at the Ocean State Invitational at Goddard Park in Warwick, East Lyme placed second in a strong field despite competing without No. 4 runner Matt Carrier (quad injury). McCauley also took second.

“People aren’t really sure if we’re legit no matter how many times we win a meet or how low of a score we score,” McCauley said. “By doing that at an invitational, that’s big. It really shows that we are legit and that we are a good team and we can perform on any given day.

“It doesn’t matter who is sick or who is injured. We have depth and we can compete no matter what at this point. We’ve proven that.”

There’s no doubt about East Lyme’s talent.

The Vikings also have a championship level work ethic and attitude.

“It’s a bonus that they’re really fast, because they’re just great kids to coach,” Flynn said. “They love competing.”

Championship meet season is still weeks away.

The Vikings will be heavy favorites to repeat as ECC champions and be strong contenders in the state meets.

They’ll be ready.

“They have some pretty big goals toward the end of the year, so we’re trying to get everybody healthy for that,” Flynn said.

In the Division I girls’ race, East Lyme beat NFA, 27-30, and New London, 15-50. Lauren Fulcher led the Vikings (7-0, 4-0) with a second place finish (20:46) and teammate Rachel Quadrato was fourth (21:24).

NFA senior Karina Chan was the individual winner (19:51) and teammate Helen Muench placed third (21:06). The Wildcats (5-2, 2-2) also beat New London, 15-50.

“I’m glad that I went hard at the end,” Chan said. “I’m always proud that my teammates were also trying to keep moving up and chasing after the person in front of them.”

Chan has logged a lot of miles between cross country and track season during her high school career.

“All the years of running track and indoor track are making my cross country times a lot better,” Chan said.

New London’s Olivia Benjamin finished eighth in 22:29.

g.keefe@theday.com