MILTON, Mass. - Powered by a 1-2-3 finish, the Middlesex girls cross country team opened up the 2026 season in impressive fashion by picking up a pair of Independent School League (ISL) victories at Cunningham Park on Saturday afternoon.

The Zebras amassed 16 points to best host Milton Academy (32) and Saint Mark's (38).

Sophomore Flora Hegyi (Veszprem, Hungary) crossed the finish line first in her first-ever race, moving through the course in an impressive 20:30, while standout sophomore Jude Hebb (Princeton, Mass.) was right on her heels (20:39). Another newcomer - freshman Charlotte Woolley (Brookline, Mass.) completed the trio of top three finishers for Middlesex (20:52).

Pipsa Palatsi (Oulu, Finland) joined the aforementioned group with top ten finishes, as she wrapped up the course layout in 21:55, good for seventh place.

Scarlett Gustafson (Winchester, Mass.) and Marvelous Ugwu (Hyde Park, Mass.) finished 12th and 13th respectively, with times of 22:41 and 23:52.