On another warm but cloudy October day, Middlesex traveled to Lawrence Academy to race on its scenic course, resplendent with fall foliage and sloping fields of green. Also competing were Thayer and Brooks, and though the meet had a later than usual start time because of the SAT, the runners were still spirited and eager to race. While two-time ISL champion Thayer gained the overall win, Middlesex scored wins over Brooks and Lawrence in the team scoring.

The JV race was first, and although the field was composed mostly of a mighty pack of Middlesex girls, the team worked together wonderfully and pushed each other to bring out great performances and hard running. Freshman Jillian Robertson ran a strong, composed race to a PR and the win, briefly holding the course record for the newly adjusted Lawrence course. Sophomore Alene Fernandes and freshman Meena Menon were next, followed not far behind by senior captain Alice Crow and junior Soleil Kerfoot. Senior Katie Powers and freshmen Megan Ding and Amelia Stevens were all ahead of the first JV runner from Thayer, who narrowly beat senior Imani Marcelo in an exciting sprint to the finish. Congratulations to Lucy Hirsch, Emily Penaloza, Phoebe Martin, Isabella Luong, and Marie Krou for racing in their first races of the season.

In the varsity race, junior Maud McCole ran a smart race to earn 4th overall, behind Thayer's top runners. Junior Charlotte O'Toole came in 6th, followed right behind by sophomore Gabby Walsh, who ran a disciplined and committed race to help her team. Junior Katie Fujimori was right on the heels of the first runner from Brooks. Sophomore Maya Sidhu rounded out the team scoring with a very strong last quarter mile, while senior captain Emily Li and juniors Tess Kelley and Wani Pandey also stayed tough and determined to result in solid finishes for the team. The team achieved an elusive perfect 15-50 win over Lawrence, placing seven runners before the host school's first. 

The team was sustained by the positive attitude and enthusiastic support of the teammates who traveled to see the championship course but were unable to race, and lifted by the presence of all the parents (and former teammates!) who came to cheer, especially considering the busy day (with Open House and the much-anticipated Random Dance) at school. But now at the midpoint of the season we look forward to a shortened week of training before facing the other Zebras of Groton (the other team of Groton) at home on Friday.