With personal records already dropping and younger athletes stepping up, our Paideia cross country team has kick-started the season with strong determination and commitment.
While there are many returning members, new faces are surfacing on the team. “We have some new runners who bring promise to the boys team,” says varsity boys captain Duncan Walker ’26.
The girls team captain, Caroline Struby ’26, echoed Walker’s sentiment, pointing to new talent: “Nadia Coffey joined the team and is killing it,” Struby says. With this mix of returning and new runners, this year’s Paideia cross country team is looking ahead to a competitive and exciting season.
However, the team does look a bit different compared to last year, after graduating several of its top runners. Recent graduates Emerson Green ’25, Matt and Ben Walton-Scott ’25 and Sisi Elkinson ’25 brought a lot of experience and leadership, which helped push the team to stronger finishes in races.
Filling those gaps has been a central focus this fall: “Overall, the whole team trained hard all summer, and I would say we have been working hard to try and fill in their shoes” says Nate DePlonty ’27.
