Girls Varsity Cross Country

Cross Country became a varsity sport at The Frederick Gunn School in the early 1960s. Highlights of the program's history include New England divisional championships in 1974 and 1986, along with numerous male and female All-New England runners — headed by Pat O’Neil ’76, who won the individual championship outright in both 1973 and 1974.

Gunn's Cross Country program fosters a culture of dedication and a genuine passion for distance running, welcoming both newcomers and seasoned competitors. Whether an athlete is discovering their stride or training to compete at the next level, daily practices are tailored to support personal improvement and elevate every individual runner. Through a consistent focus on endurance and a schedule of local meets, the program empowers runners to reach their goals while building a supportive, high-energy team environment.

The season includes six dual, tri, and quad meets, opening with the preseason Canterbury Invitational — which includes more than 35 independent school teams from the Northeast — and continuing into the eight-team O'Connell Invitational at mid-season, before closing with the NEPSTA Division III Championships. Runners train on some of the region's best terrain: Gunn sits adjacent to Steep Rock Preserve and its many trails and dirt roads, with additional routes throughout town, including the scenic 7.8-mile loop around Lake Waramaug.