By Melanie Cane

After a rare cancellation due to torrential downpours on September 19, Rye Country Day School held a home FAA meet at Edith Read Sanctuary on a steamy September 27. The Wildcats hosted Holy Child, Brunswick High School, Greenwich Academy, and Greens Farms Academy.

On the Girls’ side, the Gryphons lost to Greenwich Academy, but beat Greens Farms and Rye Country Day. Their top runner, junior Dannie Bell, finished first overall. She completed the race in 21:27. Bell, a lacrosse convert, said she never expected to win. “I recently discovered I love to run! My dad inspires me, but I don’t do any special training.” She plays to continue with winter and spring track. Two Greenwich Academy runners then crossed the finish line, followed by Holy Child’s Claire Furio at 22:32. The top femaleWildcat top female runner freshman Katie Farrell, the Wildcats’ top female runner, came in fifth at 23:05. Gryphons’ runner Sophia Flissler finished eighth.

The boys from Rye Country Day beat Green Farms Academy but lost to Brunswick. Wildcat freshman Connor Mars came in fifth after four Brunswick boys. He ran a speedy 19:19. His teammates, Will Murphy and Justin Cheigh, finished on his heels at 19:29 and 19:30, respectively. 

Wildcats Coach Ethan White praised his runners for pushing themselves in the heat and recording some great times.”

Holy Child Assistant Coach Christine Farrell said, “It was good for our second race of the season.”

Gryphon Dannie Bell on her way to a first-place finish.

And they were off at the FAA Cross-Country meet September 29.