Governor's Teams
Athletics at The Governor’s Academy is about outstanding performance- as our championship titles, college NCAA scholarship players, and world competitors will attest- but it is also about character.
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Team Profile
Cross Country - Girls Varsity

Girls Cross Country Team 2022
New England Division III CHAMPIONS 2009
ISL and New England Division III CHAMPIONS 2008
New England Champions Division II, ISL Champions and Undefeated season 2003 and 2004
Girls cross-country began in 1971, when coach Mike True welcomed the first girls to then Governor Dummer Academy since the turn of the century. In 1980, the existing course was expanded to its current length, 5 kilometers (3.1 miles), in order to standardize the length and to better prepare runners for collegiate course lengths. Recognized as one of the most challenging courses in New England because of its varying terrain, hills and turns, it has hosted both league and New England championship meets, as well as the Yankee Runner Short Run, held for 17 years. The current course record for high school girls is 18:40, and the current school record is 18:54, set by Keara Thomas '07, only the second runner to break 19:00 on our course.
Since cross-country is really a two-season sport, runners are given a summer training program at the conclusion of the school year in May. In addition to training on their own and with local teammates, runners are also encouraged to attend one of the many summer running camps together in August. An on-campus preseason in early September, by invite only, includes twice daily workouts, popcorn parties, running videos, beach runs, talks by famous runners (Jen Toomey in '07) and surprise outings.
In the regular season, practices are often preceded by a full team meeting (both the boys' and girls' teams often train together), creating a supportive and fun team atmosphere in which everyone can participate. Coaches help every runner set personal and team goals for the season, providing as much guidance as possible. Instruction emphasizes building toward a peak for the two championship meets in November. A methodical progression, centered on fun, varied workouts (based on current and tried-and-true principles), and personalized workouts, is applied. Quality of training is more important than quantity, and we run on natural surfaces as much as possible, both on- and off-campus. The teams bond throughout the season both during practice and in several activities centered on togetherness and food. Being a member of this program requires the athlete's strong commitment to hard work; the rewards are a positive team experience, increased self-confidence, motivation, self-discipline, and the opportunity to run faster than she thought possible.
In September, October, and November, the Governors run in seven league dual, tri, or quad meets each Saturday, which allows optimum time for training and resting during the week. Normally, the top 7 girls are designated as varsity runners in weekly meets, although all girls run in the same race. A junior varsity girl can move up to the varsity as soon as she runs faster than the last varsity runner in any given meet. If a team or individual is qualified and so chooses, participation in post-season competition is supported.
Captains - Fall 2022 Amelia Barlow '23, Erin Crisafi '24, Cora Knoell '24
Head Coach Jeff Kelly '85, Assistant Coaches Jamie Brayshaw, Becky Stratton, and Ruth Koenigsbauer.
For more information, please email Head Coach Jeff Kelly.
Coaches
Coach Profiles
Head Coach Jeff Kelly ’85 ran cross-country his senior year at Governor Dummer Academy and continued his pursuit of running through and beyond college though not competitively. He became assistant cross-country coach under long-time and highly respected Governor’s coach David Abusamra in 2000. Upon David’s retirement in 2011 Jeff took the reins as head coach of both boys’ and girls’ teams. He has run in and won several road races in the area, and has run for the Greater Boston Track Club’s masters’ team in cross-country. He is a USATF level 1 certified coach and Cross Country Specialist.. He enjoys training, both on his own and with his runners, and sharing his love of all things running with his athletes. He has taught all levels of Latin for 30 years and is an associate dorm parent in Moody.
Assistant Coaches:
Jamie Brayshaw has been an assistant cross-country coach at Governors since 2011. He is a year-round runner, enjoying both road and trail running. During the summer, his focus is trail running and fast uphill hiking on the trails of the White Mountains in New Hampshire. In the past year, he has run in several memorable trail races including the Wildcat Mountain Trail Race and the Squam Ridge Race. When not coaching, he is a mathematics and computer-science teacher and lives with his family in Perkins Dormitory.
Becky Stratton has taught and coached in Independent schools for over 15 years and was thrilled to join the Cross Country coaching staff at Govs. A varsity athlete at the high school and college levels, Becky soon recognized that running was her favorite part of any sport. In high school she joined the winter track team in her “off season” recognizing a great opportunity to develop as a runner. While competing in middle distance and relays, she learned the important role of “mentality” in running and found that it transferred her academic work and performance in other sports. This experience solidified her love of running which continues to this day. Becky competes in road races (the Tufts 10K and various 5K runs), enjoys running on trails in the woods, and cross-trains with core / pilates workouts. Becky is a USATF level 1 certified coach and teaches all levels of French at Govs.
Ruth Keonigsbauer has taught, coached, and lived in independent schools for the past fifteen years and she is excited to join the Govs Cross Country running staff. Ruth started running after college and she loves exploring new areas, both by trail and road while running. She enjoys running in local races and through the woods on trails. Ruth lives on campus in Ingham dorm with her husband and two children, and she teaches English.
Game Schedule
Cross Country - Girls Varsity
Game Schedule
Opponent | Date | Time | Location | Details | Result | Score | Status |
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vs.
The Rivers School
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Governors | Details | Win | 17-42 | |
vs.
Middlesex School
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Roxbury Latin School | Details | Loss | 40-21 | |
vs.
St. Marks School
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St. Marks School | Details | Win | 15-50 | |
vs.
Groton School
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St. Marks School | Details | Win | 21-35 | |
vs.
Milton Academy
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St. Marks School | Details | Loss | 29-27 | |
vs.
Buckingham Browne & Nichols School
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Fresh Pond Reservation | Details | Win | 22-37 | |
vs.
Tabor Academy
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Fresh Pond Reservation | Details | Win | 24-35 | |
vs.
Noble & Greenough School
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Fresh Pond Reservation | Details | Win | 20-36 | |
vs.
Brooks School
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Governors | Details | Win | 22-39 | |
vs.
Worcester Academy
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Details | Win | 17-46 | ||
vs.
Thayer Academy
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Governors | Details | Win | 28-30 | |
vs.
Lawrence Academy
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Lawrence Academy | Details | Win | 15-50 | |
vs.
St. George's School
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Lawrence Academy | Details | Win | 21-40 | |
vs.
ISL Championship
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Wrentham | Details | |||
vs.
New Englands Div II Championships
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St. Marks School | Details | |||
All Star Meet
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St. Marks School | Details |