Running Towards Triumph with Teamwork

Overview of Middlesex Cross-Country

The Middlesex girls’ and boys’ cross-country teams are charging down the trails with energy, determination, and a strong sense of camaraderie. This season, both teams are focused on improving their times, fostering team spirit, and pushing each other to new heights. Through interviews with coaches and runners, including standout performances from team captains, it’s clear that Middlesex’s cross-country program is not just about racing—it’s about growing as athletes and building a tight-knit community.

The girls’ team has a remarkable record, having lost only three races in the last four years and securing either the ISL or NEPSAC title every year for the past three years. Head Coach Emily Teevens is emphasizing teamwork as a cornerstone of their strategy. “We’re focusing on working together in races, running in packs, and taking advantage of the depth we have on the team,” she said. Support is key. “That’s a big factor in the team’s success.” Teevens described the squad as tight-knit: “They work really hard and are focused on ambitious goals, but they also have a lot of fun together.” 

Stella Curwin-Amfitheatrof ’26, the girls’ team captain and top varsity runner, brings leadership and an impressive 5K PR of 18:43, achieved when she won the ISL Championships last year. Her training approach is disciplined yet cautious: “When I train, I make sure to follow what my coach tells me, whether that is progressing on a longer run or hitting a certain mileage. I also find it very important to not run or extend yourself more than you should, as it can be a very physically straining sport.” 

For races, she sets clear goals: “During workouts, I place a goal for myself and push myself.” Her ambitions for the season are high: “My goal is to win ISL and NEPSAC and break 18:30.” Curwin-Amfitheatrof also highlighted the team’s tight-knit dynamic: “We are a very close-knit team that has made up the majority of the top seven since freshman year and have trained together and worked together our whole time on the team. 

The top seven girls on the team have relatively stayed the same and been very close, and we have always been the top, either first or second in the ISL as a group.” She acknowledges the mental challenges of the sport: “It’s a very comparable sport because you have a number, and you either hit your goal or don’t. It’s not like other sports where you can’t prove if you’ve had a bad day or not; it’s in the numbers, so coming to terms with that has always been a challenge.”

Sophomore Stella Pham ’28, who switched from volleyball, agrees: “It has better chemistry than volleyball. Everyone here is very determined. I’m pretty happy with this.” As a newer runner, her goal is clear: “Sub 25 minutes on the 5K.” Pham’s excitement shows how the team’s depth and spirit help even rookies feel at home.

For the boys’ team, Head Coach Peter Sullivan is optimistic about the season’s potential. “The team’s game plan this season is really to focus on building on from last year,” he said. “We want to build a great team culture and hopefully see a lot of improvements in speed this year.” Sullivan’s already seeing progress, with the team bringing high energy to practices. “They’re running their workouts really hard and consistently,” he added, noting that the team’s dedication is paying off early. He also described the squad as cohesive, even with a big roster: “Not everyone is super close with everybody, but overall, it’s a pretty cohesive team. Everybody cheers for each other and wants to support each other.”

Team captain Terry Qi ’26, a senior with a 5K personal record (PR) of 18:21, shared his approach to racing and leading. “Typically, I try getting out to a pace and holding that pace, keeping a consistent speed for the whole race,” he said. Recently, he started visualizing races after a sports psychology session, which helps on the home course. But he admitted, “The downside is that I often don’t feel the motivation to do a nice kick at the end.” As one of only four seniors—compared to 12 when he was a freshman—Qi wants to inspire younger runners. “My biggest goal is to lay down some strong foundations to motivate our younger runners to train more,” he said, hoping to build a strong team for the future. Balancing cross-country with senior-year stress is tough, though. “Doing my college applications and classes—it’s difficult to balance that with cross-country,” he said. “My sleep has been decreasing. Freshman year, I slept at 9. Now I’m sleeping at 12.”

Junior Sunny Qian ’27, a varsity runner, sticks to a steady routine: “I run six times a week, with a long run on Monday, a tough workout on Wednesday, and races on Saturday.” For races, he focuses on time, not placement: “I usually just keep a consistent pace… I try to run for times and not for placement, so I go out slow and try to hang on and kick.” His big goal? “To break 20 minutes in the 5K.” After running 20:16 at Tabor Academy, he’s close. Qian also wants to be a “solid contributor to varsity.” Reflecting on challenges, he said, “Sophomore year didn’t go very well. I tried hard, but it didn’t come through for me.” That setback has only made him more determined this season.

As a freshman new to cross-country, I found the start intense because I had never consistently run long distances before. I had occasionally run before, but I was new to this structured form of running. As I built stamina, I started to enjoy it. I think the team is extremely cohesive, and everyone is supportive, helping each other achieve their goals. My goal is simple: I want to put my best self out there and I want to put my best foot forward every Saturday, and I would also hope to at least achieve a sub-25-minute 5K by the end of the season in terms of times. I have improved significantly, going from a 34:46 5K in my first race to a 27:43 PR. The team welcomes newcomers, turning tough practices into bonding moments.

Both teams share a commitment to consistency, overcoming challenges, and supporting each other. Middlesex’s runners demonstrate that cross-country is about more than just running—it’s about resilience, teamwork, and chasing ambitious goals together. As they race toward championships, these teams are not only pursuing faster times but also forging stronger bonds.

Lawrence Chen ‘29