The Country School Girls Extend Unbeaten Streak to 107 Wins! Boys Finish Strong Second Behind Hamden Hall

October 15 • Hopkins School Invitational

The Country School girls’ cross-country team continued their incredible legacy on Tuesday, October 15, at the Hopkins School Invitational, where they outran a strong field from Hopkins, Renbrook, Kingswood Oxford, and Hamden Hall. The Owls soared to victory once again, scoring just 27 points to extend their remarkable unbeaten streak to 107 wins and 0 losses. Kingswood Oxford took second with 49 points, followed by Hamden Hall (72), Hopkins (81), and Renbrook.

From the opening whistle, Liv Killam and Captain Maddie Staib took charge of the team race, running stride for stride from start to finish. Liv edged out her teammate by a blink—literally a two-tenths of a second difference—finishing in 11:57.4, just ahead of Maddie’s 11:57.6, as the dynamic duo claimed the second and third overall spots.

Close behind, the ever-reliable Lucy Clark (13:13) delivered another strong third-place team finish, chased down the stretch by standout newcomer Francesca D’Andrea (13:14). Rounding out the top five and sealing the team victory was fifth grader Lexie Killam (13:28), whose impressive debut season has already made her one of the team’s rising stars.

Also turning in career-best performances, Avery Hill (15:24) showed impressive tenacity over the final 800 meters, while eighth-grade captain Jonah Benton (15:28) and classmate captain Nora Morris (15:31) demonstrated leadership and consistency, finishing 15th and 18th overall. Fifth grader Harper Hill (18:25) and newcomer Stephanie DeLucca (18:38) completed the 1.8-mile course with grit and smiles, earning cheers from their teammates and families as they crossed the line.

The race itself was classic—rolling fields, steep climbs, and one notoriously grueling uphill in the final stretch. On a golden October afternoon, the course wound around two soccer games, a softball field, and cheering spectators. The post-race snacks were a welcome reward for the effort and determination shown by all.

On the boys’ side, Country School’s young but determined squad turned in an outstanding team effort, finishing second overall with 50 points, behind Hamden Hall’s 34. Kingswood Oxford followed with 62, Hopkins 90, and Renbrook rounded out the standings.

Eighth grade captain Henry Laurans was untouchable, blazing through the 1.8-mile course in 10:34—nearly two minutes ahead of the next finisher—and setting what is believed to be a new course record. Behind him, eighth-grade captain Tash Frusztajer had his best race of the season, placing 5th overall and inspiring his teammates with his tenacity.

Sixth grader Harper Merrill battled through a nagging heel injury but found his rhythm on the course, finishing 11th overall and third for the team, just ahead of fifth grader Luke Oulette, who took 15th with a huge late-race surge. Rising stars Clark Pennington (13:55) and Luca Laurans (14:01) finished side by side in 18th and 19th, securing the crucial final scoring positions for the Owls.

Also contributing to the team’s depth were Bradley Kopeikin (22nd), Sam Gagliardi (28th, 15:42), and the quartet of Ben Gelo (32nd, 16:27), Jack D’Orlando (33rd, 16:28), Henrik Schmid (37th, 17:27), and Micah Benton (38th, 17:49)—each demonstrating effort, sportsmanship, and team pride from start to finish.

With the girls continuing their unprecedented winning streak and the boys showing power and promise, it was another banner day for Country School’s cross-country program—on a beautiful fall afternoon that showcased everything that makes the sport, and this team, so special.