With the last warm winds of summer still sweeping through New England, seven of Deerfield’s top runners took on a grueling course at the early season Canterbury Invitational. The 5k race marked the true beginning of the season, representing the first ever cross-country race for our young, promising team. Together, the runners shattered the performance of the previous season. Embracing the coaches’ injunction to “make a name for themselves,” the girls secured a third place finish overall.
Sarah Jane O’Connor (’18) led Deerfield runners with a seventh-place finish (21:16), beginning her Deerfield career with a convincing and competitive spirit. Soon thereafter, Jordan Coan (’18), also a newcomer to the team, muscled across for 16th place; seconds later, fellow sophomore Nora Markey (’18) followed in 20th place, battling through a week’s illness for an impressive finish.
Caroline Melvin (’18), also a newcomer (notice a pattern?), slid across the finish line in 28th place, completing the course in 22:46. Lulu Fanjul (’18) broke into a fierce sprint as she approached the finish line, finishing neck-and-neck with captain Lauren Ilsley (’16). The two finished in 31st and 32nd, respectively. Freshman runner Ely Burke pushed through a painful shoe mishap to finish 38th, rounding out the day on a strong note.
The team returned feeling empowered and excited for the upcoming season. All seven of the top runners finished the race in a two-minute span; we look forward to what the whole squad will accomplish against the Westminster field.