With the falling of the leaves and the changing of the season, a revitalized Lady Knights Cross Country Team has been killing it on the course.

The lead runners this year have been newcomer Leah Maschino, and returning #1 runner Hannah Rasmussen. Returning Seniors Brooke Conner, Hannah Chunn, and Mary-Claire Bauman, as well as Freshman Jennifer Cooper and Kate Barta round out the Varsity 7.

With a 5K time of 18:46, Leah Maschino is currently 1st overall in the ECC. But there is something even more unique about the Sophomore; This is her first year running Cross Country.

“I’m really enjoying it. I had a feeling I would be somewhat successful because I had been in shape for soccer, but I did not expect this much success.” says Leah. Along with Leah, the Knights have two more runners in the ECC top 5 with Hannah Rasmussen and Jennifer Cooper. 

After a close loss to Turpin last year in the ECC meet, The Lady Knights are looking to win their first ever ECC Championship. In her 21st year as a head coach, Lynn Brant has been very happy with this team this year.

“What’s great this year is we have sort of a 1-2 punch with Leah and Hannah and not much of a drop off with each of the rest of the top 7. At the beginning of the year, many of the girls didn’t get in as much summer running as they may have wanted to and Hannah was still on crutches from a track injury. But when the season started, everyone has stepped up and Hannah has come back and has just been on fire.”

“This team is full of good girls who want to perform well and help each other perform well. This has been one of the the most fun groups I’ve ever coached.” says Brant.

The Lady Knights will finish up their season at the ECC Championship meet on Oct. 17 at Milford.

photo credit: Duffy Cooper