The Wildcats cross-country team is one big, happy family with 25 returning runners…

By Melanie Cane

The Wildcats cross-country team is one big, happy family with 25 returning runners, many of whom have been on the team for several years, and 11 new runners, who have quickly assimilated. While there is technically a boys’ team and a girls’ team, they practice and go to meets together. Acacia Dougan and Melody Hsu co-captain the Girls’ and Malcolm Nash and Jackson Adler the Boys’ team.

Their goal this year is to top .500 and be top three in the league, said Coach Ethan White. So far, they have only had one league meet, September 17 at Sherwood Island Park in Westport. Just as they did last year, Nash and Dougan finished first, respectively for the Rye Country Day Boys’ and Girls’ teams. Overall, Nash placed 13th and Dougan 19th.  

New team member Ben Arquit placed second for the Wildcats, and freshman Ed Abrams was a surprise 6th-place finisher. Christine Campisi showed big improvement from last year, setting a personal best time and finishing 2nd on the team. Overall, the Boys’ team finished 5th, and the Girls’ finished 6th.  

“We still have some work to do to improve, but the first meet was a very good start,” said Coach White.