A Strong Race at The McGee Invitational

At the McGee Invitational Saturday, The Country School runners and parents took pride in watching sisters Liv and Tillie K get called forward at the awards ceremony to receive their trophies for taking 1st Place in the 6th grade girls race and 7th grade girls race, respectively. Tillie also received a special plaque for having the fastest female time of the day on the 2.3 mile course of woods, paths, roads and grass. 

 

Taking control of the race before the halfway point, Tillie flashed across the finish line at midfield of the football stadium in a time of 14:46, followed by teammate Maribel S, who dominated the trailing pack to take an impressive 4th place by reeling in an opponent with a dramatic uphill surge within sight of the stadium. Anna G was next across for the awesome owls, taking 18th place out of the 93 competitors. 

 

Liv’s win set the tone for the day, as she displayed remarkable stamina and determination, pushing herself to the limit with an astonishing finishing kick to overtake the leader and walk away with the 1st place hardware. Racing as a 5th grade in the 6th grade race, Liv’s time was only one second behind the winning 6th grade boys time, boding well for next year. 

 

In the eighth grade boys race, it was Captains Luke S and Will L who engaged the families, hammering away together in the chase pack and then applying their summer and fall training to pull away. Luke grabbed second place in the fastest Country School time of the day, 13:20, with Will running a brilliant tactical race to nab an outstanding 5th place, in 13:41. 

 

However, the surprises didn't end there. In the 7th grade boys race, rising star Zach B stole the show with his extraordinary performance. Zach, new to the team, displayed incredible talent and determination as he crossed the finish line in 15:03 after overtaking opponents throughout the second half of the race, leaving spectators wondering just how far this young athlete could go in the future.

 

Also, taking a gratifying 5th place, Tash F needed all his speed and endurance to hold off his competitors over the 2.3 mile circuitous course, with teammate and friend Henry L taking a hard-fought 17th place out of the 47 competitors. Equal grit and determination was shown by 5th grader Sam C, taking 33rd while running over his head against the older students. 

 

Inspiring as anything, Captain Maybe H thrilled her teammates and their parents by starting out in 16th place and then slowly–but surely–pulling herself bit by bit up to the next racer and the one after that. Maybe’s pace was her fastest of the season and indicates top fitness going into her final few races and the State Championship match-up for the girls’ team she leads. 

 

The McGee Invitational was a true showcase of talent, with athletes from various grades and genders showcasing their skills and proving their worth. The Country School cross country team's outstanding performance not only earned them trophies for finishing in the top five but also medals and ribbons for finishing in the top 20 in each race. Their accomplishments were a testament to their unwavering dedication and the dedication of their parents and coaches.

 

As the dust settled and the celebrations began, The Country School cross country team basked in the glory of their achievements. They had not only conquered their opponents but also conquered their own limits and pushed themselves to new heights. The 2023 McGee Invitational was a day that will be remembered for years to come, a day when the cross country runners proved that hard work, dedication, and a burning passion for the sport can lead to outstanding success. The Country School cross country runners have set the bar high, and their rivals better be ready for the challenge.