Fourth Straight State Title for Country School

MANCHESTER, CT – On a crisp fall afternoon at historic Wickham Park ,the site of so many legendary Connecticut races, Country School girls’ cross country team delivered a performance for the ages, sweeping the 32nd Middle School State Championship and securing their fourth consecutive state title.

Already recognized as one of the strongest programs among Connecticut’s public and private schools, Country School didn’t just win their division, they beat every public and private school in the state. Their victory extended an extraordinary five-year unbeaten streak, bringing their program record to 110 wins and zero losses.

The team scored an astonishing 23 points, outpacing Brooklyn Middle School (67), Avery Middle School (73), and Foote School (97), among many others.

Historic Individual Performances
Captain Maddie Staib of Middletown captured the Connecticut State Championship crown, covering the demanding 2.3-mile course in an outstanding 14:30. Seventh Grader Liv Killam of Madison surged to second place in 15:10, followed closely by seventh grader Lucy Clark of Guilford, who claimed fifth in 15:29. Captain Quinn Freeman of Guilford finished sixth in 15:52, and newcomer and 7th Grader Francesca D’Andrea of Guilford rounded out the scoring five with a ninth-place finish in 16:08.

Fifth graders Lexie Killam (12th, 16:22) and Emerson Freeman (15th, 16:53) also placed in the top 15 in the entire state, an unprecedented showing for runners so young.

In a unique twist, four of the team’s top seven runners come from just two families—the Killam sisters (Liv and Lexie) and the Freeman sisters (Quinn and Emerson). Both Freeman athletes also play basketball for the school, while Lexie Killam competes in field hockey and Liv Killam competes in lacrosse outside of school, demonstrating the multi-sport strength of the program’s young athletes.

Pack Running Power
Coach Will McDonough praised the team’s signature strategy: “Pack running is one of the most important elements of cross country success. Any time a team can string together a large group of runners like that, it’s going to equal success. To take first, second, fifth, sixth, and ninth as a group, though? That was just extraordinary.”

Team Culture: The Secret Advantage
Just outside the top seven is a powerful junior varsity squad that, Coach McDonough notes, is essential to the team’s success. The entire program trains together, studies together, and supports each other. The culture of friendship and work ethic is, in many ways, the competitive edge.

Coach Adriana Castillo emphasized the strength of the whole program: “This group lifts each other up every day. Their positivity and commitment ripple through the entire team. The JV runners push the varsity runners, and the varsity runners mentor the younger ones. It’s everything you hope for in a team.”

A Program Years in the Making
Reflecting on the historic day, Head of School John Fixx said: “These runners are a joy to coach. We start our running program as early as kindergarten in physical education and after-school programs, which allows us to take the long view on each child’s physical and personal development. It builds not only strong runners for today, but a lifelong love of athleticism, resilience, and hard work that supports them academically, artistically, and athletically as they move into selective secondary schools, colleges, and beyond.

Coach Castillo adds, “With our 8th Graders graduating, next season will bring new challenges but also new opportunities as we develop younger talent. The support from families and the leadership shown by our older athletes set a beautiful example for the younger runners. Witnessing it all come together for a fourth straight state championship is something incredibly special.”

Athletic Director Steve Behr echoed that pride: “This team embodies what athletics at Country School is all about…grit, joy, teamwork, and heart.”

A Championship to Remember
On a course known for defining champions, The Country School girls wrote their own chapter of Connecticut running history, one built on courage, camaraderie, and excellence from the first stride to the final sprint.

Their legacy continues to grow, and the future looks faster than ever.
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.