The Middlesex Girls Cross Country team opened their season with races against Governor's Academy and Lawrence on the storied (but newly extended and lengthened) Lawrence cross country course. The JV girls were up first, with 15 Middlesex girls toeing the line, 7 of them in their first XC race ever.  The top Middlesex performer was newcomer Alice Crow '18, who ran an assertive and decisive race to finish 3rd overall. Valerie Chen '18, View Kuphirun '17, Tess Kelley '19, and Gabriella Resnick '17 rounded out the team scoring, securing the team win over Lawrence. Wani Pandey '19 and Cally Queally '16 secured key displacement points for the team. Although Governor's was the deeper team today, we look forward to seeing them again at our championships at the end of the season.  Congratulations to Alice, Tess, Wani, Alejandra Chavez '18, Miranda Fiore '19, Sophie Stewart '18, and Emily Penaloza '19 for completing their first 5K today.  The entire team impressed the coaches and fans with their determination and strength today, and Lucy Hirsch '18 deserves particular recognition for earning a PR on a slow course in the first race of the season.

In the varsity race, the team effort was led by the tactical and determined running of captain Sonia Tremblay '16. Sonia passed the first Lawrence runner on a downhill at the 2 mile mark, and, despite nearly hurtling herself into the forest on every descent, maintained her position to finish 2nd overall behind a talented Governor's runner.  New runner Charlotte O'Toole '19 did a great job as she completed her first race in a Middlesex uniform, crossing the line just behind the first runner from Lawrence in 4th place overall.  The Middlesex varsity team score was secured by Megan Seymour '16, Julia McClellan '17 and captain Phoebe Lindsay '16.  Displacement points were scored by Emily Li '18, who not only completed her first varsity race but also earned a PR, and Raphaele Sevrain '16. Again, as in the JV race, Governor's was a deeper and stronger team today, but the Middlesex team worked together to earn a decisive win over Lawrence. 

The team looks forward to running at St. Mark's on Friday afternoon on the eve of the St. Mark's 150th birthday celebration.