The varsity girls' cross country team opened the 2023 season at home with a dual meet against Stuart Country Day School of Princeton, New Jersey this past Saturday. The team welcomed back to campus Stuart coach Alec Valle '18, a former Blair runner who made his high school coaching debut on a beautiful sunny fall afternoon.
Blair captain Petra Taylor ‘24 took individual honors, winning the race by nearly two minutes over two pursuers from Stuart. Blair’s pack of Chandler Wildrick ‘25, Maddy McLain ‘27 and Ashley Hur ‘26 was next, securing places four through six. The trio ran strategically sound races, helping each other conquer their course’s tough hills before unleashing their finishing speed over the final flat mile.
Stuart runners garnered places seven and eight, but Blair’s Brigette Starrs ‘25 claimed the final scoring place when she finished 9th overall. With Lola Bambe ‘27 and Liza Kulka ‘25 each displacing Stuart’s fifth runner, the Bucs earned the victory by a score of 25-32. Blair's next race will be this weekend as they travel to Peddie for the Jerry Hart Invitational.