Junior Olympics Cross-Country Championships: Tillie Killam, Henry Laurans and Boys’ Team Shine in Connecticut
In a thrilling day of races at the Connecticut Junior Olympics Cross-Country Championships, eighth-grade captain Tillie Killam continued her season-long success by clinching the state championship title. Killam’s stunning victory, alongside the first-place performance by the Country School boys’ 9-10 team, brings the young athletes one step closer to qualifying for the National Junior Olympics in Shelbyville, Indiana, on December 14.
As she has all season, Killam electrified the crowd with her come-from-behind finish, overtaking the leaders in the final 800 meters and heaving herself across the finish line to secure her first-place victory by five seconds. She covered the challenging 4K course in Litchfield, Connecticut, in an impressive 16:58 to make the officials cough up her first place medal.
Fellow co-captain Maribel Smith also delivered a strong performance, placing sixth with a time of 17:59 on the hilly, wooded course that saw strong winds and crisp temperatures.
The boys’ 9-10 team took the top team title in Connecticut, led by seasoned Junior Olympics runner Harper Merrill, who covered the 3K distance in 12:50, earning third place and a podium spot. Merrill was closely followed by teammates Luke Ouellet, who finished fourth in 12:53, and Luca Laurans, who claimed sixth with a time of 13:26. The team’s scoring was rounded out by Sam Gagliardi in 13th, Micah Benton in 15th, Henrik Schmid in 17th, and Arlo McGahan in 18th, securing their spot in next week’s Region 1 Championships on Staten Island.
The races kicked off on a crisp 36° morning, beginning with the 8-and-under boys’ event, where Simon Ouellet placed fourth with a time of 9:53, followed by teammate Henry Clark in eighth at 11:27.
In the 8-and-under girls’ division, Phoebe Merrill raced to a bronze medal finish in 11:02, holding off two runners from the Danbury Flyers Track and Field Club.
Newcomer Emerson Freeman also impressed, capturing bronze in the girls’ 9-10 race with a time of 14:21. After her performance, Freeman enjoyed some well-deserved time with friends in the warm team tent.
The 11-12 boys’ division saw rising star Henry Laurans claim silver in a tight race, breaking the 11-minute barrier with a time of 10:59 and holding off the third-place finisher by just two seconds.
The 11-12 girls also put up solid times, with Liv Killam finishing sixth in 12:03, followed by Lucy Clark in 13:08 and Veronica Schmid in 13:09. Newcomer Jonah Benton ran 16:31, earning a top-30 finish and an invitation to race on Staten Island.
The 13-14 boys’ race, known for its competitiveness, saw captains Zachary Boure and Kieran Freeman cross the line in 16:39 and 18:26, respectively, placing 11th and 17th to secure their spots in the regional competition.
A highlight of the day was the return of last year’s captain, Luke Schupp, who joined the team for the 15-18 category. Schupp finished with a remarkable 18:01 in the 5K, earning ninth place and celebrating his achievement with teammates at a pool party and dinner before next Sunday’s races at Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex.
This impressive showing from Killam and Laurans, the 9-10 boys, and many more of the team’s dedicated runners sets the stage for an exciting regional meet on Staten Island. The entire team has their sights set on a strong performance as their season builds.
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As she has all season, Killam electrified the crowd with her come-from-behind finish, overtaking the leaders in the final 800 meters and heaving herself across the finish line to secure her first-place victory by five seconds. She covered the challenging 4K course in Litchfield, Connecticut, in an impressive 16:58 to make the officials cough up her first place medal.
Fellow co-captain Maribel Smith also delivered a strong performance, placing sixth with a time of 17:59 on the hilly, wooded course that saw strong winds and crisp temperatures.
The boys’ 9-10 team took the top team title in Connecticut, led by seasoned Junior Olympics runner Harper Merrill, who covered the 3K distance in 12:50, earning third place and a podium spot. Merrill was closely followed by teammates Luke Ouellet, who finished fourth in 12:53, and Luca Laurans, who claimed sixth with a time of 13:26. The team’s scoring was rounded out by Sam Gagliardi in 13th, Micah Benton in 15th, Henrik Schmid in 17th, and Arlo McGahan in 18th, securing their spot in next week’s Region 1 Championships on Staten Island.
The races kicked off on a crisp 36° morning, beginning with the 8-and-under boys’ event, where Simon Ouellet placed fourth with a time of 9:53, followed by teammate Henry Clark in eighth at 11:27.
In the 8-and-under girls’ division, Phoebe Merrill raced to a bronze medal finish in 11:02, holding off two runners from the Danbury Flyers Track and Field Club.
Newcomer Emerson Freeman also impressed, capturing bronze in the girls’ 9-10 race with a time of 14:21. After her performance, Freeman enjoyed some well-deserved time with friends in the warm team tent.
The 11-12 boys’ division saw rising star Henry Laurans claim silver in a tight race, breaking the 11-minute barrier with a time of 10:59 and holding off the third-place finisher by just two seconds.
The 11-12 girls also put up solid times, with Liv Killam finishing sixth in 12:03, followed by Lucy Clark in 13:08 and Veronica Schmid in 13:09. Newcomer Jonah Benton ran 16:31, earning a top-30 finish and an invitation to race on Staten Island.
The 13-14 boys’ race, known for its competitiveness, saw captains Zachary Boure and Kieran Freeman cross the line in 16:39 and 18:26, respectively, placing 11th and 17th to secure their spots in the regional competition.
A highlight of the day was the return of last year’s captain, Luke Schupp, who joined the team for the 15-18 category. Schupp finished with a remarkable 18:01 in the 5K, earning ninth place and celebrating his achievement with teammates at a pool party and dinner before next Sunday’s races at Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex.
This impressive showing from Killam and Laurans, the 9-10 boys, and many more of the team’s dedicated runners sets the stage for an exciting regional meet on Staten Island. The entire team has their sights set on a strong performance as their season builds.
341 Opening Hill Road, Madison, CT 06443
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P. 203-421-3113 | Health Office F. 860-469-2550
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