Five Straight State Titles for The Country School: Girls’ Cross Country Extends Unbeaten Streak to 131–0

MANCHESTER, CT — On a challenging Saturday afternoon at historic Wickham Park, where two days of rain had left the trails muddy and the footing difficult, The Country School girls’ cross-country team delivered another championship performance, capturing the Connecticut Middle School State Championship for a fifth consecutive year. Already recognized as one of the strongest middle school running programs among Connecticut’s public and private schools, The Country School girls once again demonstrated that their success is about far more than individual talent. With a team score of only 60 points, they outdistanced Foote School (88), Helen Keller (102), Nathan Hale-Ray (102), and John Winthrop (136), along with the rest of the championship field. The victory capped a fifth consecutive undefeated season and extended the program’s remarkable winning streak to 131 victories with not a single defeat. Five consecutive state championships. Five consecutive undefeated seasons. A record of 131–0. It is a remarkable achievement for a school of The Country School’s size.

Captain Liv Killam of Madison once again led the way, capturing the Connecticut State Championship with a first-place finish in 14:35 over the demanding 2.3-mile course. After finishing second in last year’s state championship, Liv moved up one place to claim the individual crown. Captain Lucy Clark of Guilford followed with an outstanding second-place finish in 15:15, making it a one-two finish for Country School. Lucy also improved on her fifth-place finish from a year ago. Sixth grader Lexie Killam continued her impressive development, finishing 13th overall in 16:19. Eighth-grade captain Francesca D’Andrea of Guilford placed 20th in 16:55, while seventh grader Lucy Sharp finished 24th in 17:20. Sixth grader Emerson Freeman was the team’s sixth runner, placing 27th overall in 17:32. Her strong finish was especially important in pushing back the scoring runners from competing schools and demonstrating the depth of the Country School program.

Captain Emily Antman also delivered a determined performance, finishing 57th overall in 19:38 and further demonstrating the team’s depth. While Liv and Lucy once again demonstrated their championship-caliber talent at the front of the race, the performances of the younger runners underscored something equally important: the future of Country School cross country is in very good hands.

Coach Will McDonough praised the team’s signature strategy: “Pack running is one of the most important elements of cross country success. Any time a team can string together a large group of runners like that, it’s going to equal success. To take first, second, fifth, sixth, and ninth as a group, though? That was just extraordinary.” Although this year’s individual finishers were spread farther apart, the same philosophy of running together, competing for one another, and supporting teammates throughout the race remained central to the team’s success.

While the girls were celebrating another state championship, the Country School boys were quietly announcing that they may be a team to watch in the years ahead. Competing against the strongest middle school programs in Connecticut, the boys earned a ninth-place finish in the state, an especially promising result for a team with no eighth graders. The team is largely made up of sixth graders, along with one fifth grader and one seventh grader, giving the program an unusually young foundation and plenty of room to grow over the next two, and even three, seasons. Sixth grader Clark Pennington led the way with a 13th-place finish in Connecticut in 15:26. Sixth grader Luca Laurans followed in 28th place in 15:49, while fifth grader Callum Pennington placed 37th in 16:13. Seventh grader Bradley Kopeiken finished 51st in 16:41, and sixth grader Luke Ouellet crossed the line in 70th place in 17:33. Sixth grader Grady Wepler provided an important contribution as the team’s sixth runner, finishing in 19:37 and displacing runners from competing schools. The boys’ ninth-place finish was an encouraging indication of what lies ahead. With no graduating eighth graders and so many young runners already gaining valuable championship experience, the team has an opportunity to continue developing together. The future of Country School boys’ cross country looks exceptionally promising.

Just outside the varsity scoring group is a powerful group of younger runners who are essential to the team’s continued success. The entire program trains together, studies together, and supports one another. The culture of friendship and work ethic is, in many ways, the competitive edge. Coach Adriana Castillo emphasized the strength of the whole program: “This group lifts each other up every day. Their positivity and commitment ripple through the entire team. The JV runners push the varsity runners, and the varsity runners mentor the younger ones. This team demonstrated what it means to be disciplined, respectful, encouraging, and committed to the team. It’s everything you hope for in a team.” After the race, the girls gathered together on the championship podium, proudly holding their trophy and celebrating another season of hard work and accomplishment. The smiles reflected months of running hills, logging long distances, completing interval workouts, and, just as important, laughing together while sweating together. It is that combination of hard work, friendship, and shared commitment that has sustained this remarkable program.

Reflecting on the historic achievement, Head of School John Fixx said: “Athletic Director Steve Behr gets credit for building the schedule so that students at our school can play volleyball and soccer and run cross country all in the same season. It’s a joy to see them stretched horizontally. We start our running program in kindergarten, which builds not only strong runners for today, but a lifelong love of athleticism, resilience, and hard work that supports them academically, artistically, and athletically as they move into selective secondary schools, colleges, and beyond.” With the graduation of four outstanding eighth-grade captains—Liv Killam, Lucy Clark, Francesca D’Andrea, and Emily Antman—the team will face the difficult challenge of replacing some extraordinary leadership and talent. Liv and Lucy, who finished first and second in this year’s state championship, have been instrumental in establishing the standard of excellence that younger runners will now be challenged to uphold. But if the past five years have demonstrated anything, it is that younger runners are always ready to step forward. The tradition is bigger than any one runner or graduating class. It is built on a shared commitment to working hard, sticking together, and competing for one another, whether at a small dual meet or on the biggest championship stage in Connecticut. Coach Castillo adds, “With our 8th Graders graduating, next season will bring new challenges but also new opportunities as we develop younger talent. The support from families and the leadership shown by our older athletes set a beautiful example for the younger runners. Witnessing it all come together for a fifth straight state championship is something incredibly special.” Athletic Director Steve Behr echoed that pride: “Year after year, this team embodies the three E's - Energy, Effort, and Enthusiasm. The Country School community is so proud of everything they have accomplished.”