V: MX 23, GA 32
JV: MX 15, GA 49
The Middlesex Girls' Cross Country team was fortunate to open its 2017 season on Governor Academy's beautiful and historic cross country course. The warm, sunny conditions were quite different from the weather the previous time we had raced there, and so everyone who got to travel was able to appreciate the lovely campus. Both new and returning runners proved eager to get the competitive season underway, staying focused and gritty during the entire day.
The varsity effort was led by sophomore Gabby Walsh, who maintained a steady lead throughout to result in her first season win. Junior Maud McCole ran an impressive PR to come in second, ahead of Governor's first runner. Teammates junior Charlotte O'Toole, senior captain Emily Li, and sophomore Maya Sidhu (in her first varsity finish ever!) all performed well to round out the team scoring and secure the win. Freshmen Jillian Robertson and Meena Menon also contributed to the varsity effort in their Middlesex cross country debuts.
In the JV race-within-a-race, the Middlesex team dominated, finishing with a perfect score thanks to admirable effort and great pack running, much of it from rookie runners. Senior Katie Powers, sophomore Averill Emery, junior Soleil Kerfoot, senior captain Alice Crow, and freshman Megan Ding ran determined races on the tough course to score the first five places for the JV. Not far behind were senior Imani Marcelo--who passed the first Governor's JV runner in the final few meters of the race--and sophomore Nina Douge to complete the team scoring, followed closely by senior Grace Hudson. Congratulations to Jillian, Meena, Katie, Averill Soleil, Megan, Grace, freshmen Amelia Stevens and Shreya Jain, and sophomore Brooke Murphy for finishing their first cross-country races. The coaches are excited by the athleticism and dedication that this group has brought to the team already.
Everyone worked hard together to contribute to a fun and fruitful day for Middlesex cross country. Thanks to the always efficient and caring Valerie Chen as well as manager for a day Alene Fernades for their help with the scoring, timing, and reporting. With such a young and enthusiastic group, we look forward to another week of training before facing Nobles at home next weekend with the whole team.
