Country School Cross Country Win The Hopkins Invitational

The scene was set atop Hopkins School’s windswept peak in New Haven, where five schools converged for a thrilling cross-country showdown. 

 

As the day unfolded, so did the weather, shifting dramatically from biting, icy winds to a sun-drenched heat. The course was unforgiving—a couple large laps of fields and then a steep drop down the mountain and a relentless climb back up as conquerors. 

 

The tension was palpable as the girls lined up for the first race. And then, they were off—The Country School’s girls’ team, racing to defend their incredible four-year unbeaten record, extended it to an astounding 97 straight victories without a single loss. 

 

But the real drama? This was a team without its full complement of eighth graders, out with illnesses and other commitments. What the other schools hadn’t expected was the fearsome rise of The Country School’s sixth graders, alongside a seventh grader, a stalwart 8th grader and a fearless fourth grader, proving to all that their dynasty would not only survive but thrive for years to come. 

 

Leading the charge was Liv K., who blazed through the 3 km course of grass, stony paths, and wood chips in a stunning 12 minutes and 56 seconds, taking first place overall. Lucy C. followed, achieving her highest finish yet with fourth overall, placing second for the team. Then came Emily A., another sixth grader, crossing the line seventh overall. With these three runners—all sixth graders—the future was clearly bright. 

 

And just when it seemed the team couldn’t get any younger, fourth grader Lexie K. burst onto the scene like a rare flower in bloom, finishing as the fourth runner for The Country School, supporting her team in true Beach Boys “Be True to Your School” style. Newcomer Jonah B., along with her friend Nora M., placed fifth and 14th respectively, with Morris delivering a crucial point by displacing rival runners. Eighth for the team was Brynn D., finishing 24th overall—her best result ever, an outstanding performance. 

 

The team’s 31 points clinched victory over Hopkins’ 35, Hamden Hall’s 61, and left Elm City and Renbrook farther back. A resounding win, and a statement for the future. 

 

As the sun continued to climb, so did the pressure as the boys lined up next. In what would become the closest contest of the season, the boys’ race evolved into a slugfest of grit and strategy. Seventh grader Henry L. ran like a man possessed, taking second overall with an impressive time of 11:32. Not far behind, eighth grader Zach B. pushed through the punishing climbs to take sixth place in 12:42, followed by fellow eighth grader Kieran F. in eighth place, clocking in at 12:51. 

 

The next wave of promise came from fifth grader Harper M., finishing fourth for the team and 16th overall, showing brilliance that is sure to shine even brighter in the future. His teammate, fellow fifth grader Sam G., was right on his heels in 21st place, with newcomer Micah B. finishing in 30th and Arlo M., yet another fifth grader, conquering the longest distance he’s ever run to place 35th. 

 

The boys’ competition was fierce, and the final scores reflected it: host team Hopkins narrowly took the win with 48 points, Renbrook with 51, and The Country School third with 53 in a thrilling three-way battle, while Hamden Hall finished fourth with 60 points and Elm City trailed farther back. 

 

As the runners caught their breath, the camaraderie on the mountaintop was unmatched, with generous food provided by some of the Hopkins parents and smiles all around after the intense, yet sportsmanlike, battle. 

 

The Country School’s next test looms this Saturday at the McGee Invitational, where runners will face their peers, grade by grade. And if today was any indicator, the competition has every reason to watch their backs as the runners try to beat alumnus Graham Keating’s record for crossing a finish line and getting a donut into his mouth in only four seconds!