Country School Girls Extend Unbeaten Streak to 121 as Both Teams Shine at Home Invitational

MADISON, CT — October 13, 2026

It was a classic New England autumn afternoon for cross-country running as nine teams gathered at The Country School in Madison for its annual Cross Country Invitational. Crisp fall air, enthusiastic spectators, and some of the area’s strongest middle school runners provided the setting for an exciting afternoon of competition, highlighted by another historic performance from the Country School girls and a promising second-place finish by the boys.

Families, grandparents, siblings, faculty, and friends lined the course to cheer on the 150 runners as they made their way across open fields, through wooded trails, along sidewalks, and over the course’s undulating hills. The challenging 3-kilometer (1.86-mile) route rewarded endurance, determination, and smart racing.

Country School parents added a generous touch of hospitality, setting up a table of food and treats for all the teams. The refreshments were appreciated and reflected the sportsmanship and community spirit that have become hallmarks of the annual event.

The Country School girls delivered another outstanding performance, scoring 21 points to defeat runner-up Foote School, which finished with 41. Hopkins placed third, followed by Hamden Hall, Williams School, Independent Day School, and Our Lady of Mercy.

The victory extended the girls’ five-year unbeaten streak to 121 wins and zero losses—a remarkable achievement built on years of dedication, teamwork, and a tradition of excellence.

The current runners are carrying forward the legacy of the talented girls who began this historic run. The team continues to demonstrate that sustained success comes not only from individual ability but also from the willingness to work together toward a common goal.

Leading the way were captains Liv Killam and Lucy Clark, who established their dominance early in the race. They were joined at the front by eighth-grade captain Francesca D’Andrea, giving The Country School three runners among the top four finishers.

Killam captured first place overall in 11:36, setting a personal record and finishing only one second off Country School’s all-time girls’ cross-country record. Her performance further cemented her place among the fastest runners in school history.

Clark finished second overall in 12:40, moving up the school’s all-time performance rankings with another excellent race. D’Andrea completed the trio’s remarkable showing by finishing fourth in 13:09.

The strength of the girls’ performance extended well beyond the leading three. Seventh-grade newcomer Greta Scotney finished seventh in 13:41, while sixth-grade standout Lexie Killam placed eighth in 13:59. Eighth-grade captain Emily Antman followed in ninth place in 14:00.

Seventh-grader Lucy Sharp ran tenaciously to finish 11th in 14:09, followed by sixth-grader Emerson Freeman in 12th place in 14:24. Zoe Robinson finished 25th among the 46 competitors in 16:34, and fifth-grader Lucy Santapietro?? rounded out the Country School lineup with a 36th-place finish in 18:22.

Every runner contributed to a team performance that continued one of the most remarkable winning streaks in Connecticut middle school cross-country.

The boys’ competition was every bit as exciting. Foote School claimed first place with 50 points, but Country School was close behind with 52 points, earning the second-place team trophy in a tightly contested race, to bring their season record to 12 wins against one loss.

Hamden Hall finished third with 61 points, followed by Hopkins with 62. Williams School, Independent Day School, Our Lady of Mercy, Stride Running Club, and Elm City completed the team standings.

The narrow margin between the leading teams made every finish important. The Country School boys responded with a determined performance, demonstrating both their competitive spirit and the promise of a young squad.

Fifth-grader Callum Pennington led the Country School contingent, finishing fifth overall in 12:28 to earn an individual trophy. Sixth-grader Luca Laurans also earned a trophy, placing seventh in 12:51.

Sixth-grader Luke Ouellet finished 15th in 14:04, followed closely by sixth-grader Clark Pennington in 16th place, also in 14:04. Seventh-grader Bradley Kopeiken crossed the line in 17th place in 14:06.

Eighth-grader Ellery Bradstreet finished next in 14:47, followed by eighth-grader Edward Barney in 34th place in 14:59. Fifth-grader Kyle Jacobson placed 41st in 15:39, while fifth-grader Grady Wepler completed the Country School lineup in 45th place among 68 competitors, running 16:16.

The boys’ second-place finish is particularly encouraging given the youth of the team’s top five scoring runners. With several years of middle school running ahead for many of these athletes, the performance offers considerable reason for optimism—not only for the November 7 state championship but also for the seasons to come.

The experience of competing in a close team race against strong opponents will serve the boys well as they continue to develop their fitness, confidence, and racing skills.

With the Connecticut middle school cross-country state championship scheduled for November 7, the invitational provided an important opportunity for both Country School teams to test themselves against quality competition.

The girls will carry their remarkable 121 record and the confidence of another convincing victory into the championship. Their performance demonstrated the strength of the program from its experienced captains to its youngest runners.

The boys, meanwhile, will take considerable confidence from a second-place finish separated from first by only two points. With a 12 and one record this year, their young lineup has already demonstrated its ability to compete with established programs, and the experience gained this season should continue to pay dividends in the years ahead.

Yet the afternoon was about more than team scores, trophies, and finishing times. The enthusiastic spectators, the generosity of Country School families, and the camaraderie among runners from nine schools made the invitational a celebration of the sport itself.

On a crisp autumn afternoon in Madison, The Country School once again demonstrated that cross-country running combines individual achievement with teamwork and community. With the state championship approaching, both teams have plenty of reasons to be proud—and plenty to look forward to.