Country School Runners Excel at National Junior Olympic Championships

INDIANAPOLIS — Country School runners turned in one of the strongest performances in program history at the United States Track & Field National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships, held Saturday at the Blue River Cross Country Course in Indiana, IN, amid snow-covered, challenging conditions.

Seven-year-old Simon Ouellet of Killingworth opened the meet with a personal best in the 2000 meters, finishing third in New England and first in Connecticut.

In the older divisions, Lexie Killam of Madison placed first in New England and 41st nationally in the 3000 meters out of 247 9 & 10 year old runners. Her sister Liv Killam, also competing in the 3000 meters, finished first in New England and 29th overall in a field of more than 300 11 & 12 year old runners.

Team captain Maddie Staib of Middletown placed second in Connecticut in the 4000 meters and helped lead the Danbury Hatters Track Club to a seventh-place national finish, the best team result at this age level in Country School history.

Country School alumnus Luke Schupp, now running for Avon Old Farms, finished 10th nationally in his age group to earn All-American Junior Olympic honors.

Four additional Country School athletes qualified for the national championships but were unable to compete. The Junior Olympic Championships draw elite youth runners from all 50 states who advance through regional qualification.

Country School, celebrating its 70th anniversary, serves 200 students in PreSchool through 8th Grade on its 23-acre campus in Madison. The school's five Signature Programs—STEAM, Outdoor Education, Public Speaking, Elmore Leadership, and Global Citizenship—help develop students into the leaders of tomorrow. Learn more and schedule a tour to see our campus in action at www.thecountryschool.org.