ESSEX — A small contingent of Middlebury Union High School runners exceled at the May 29 Essex Invitational Track Meet.

Senior Sofia Stefani finished second in the girls’ 3,000 meter race in 10:56:89 and fifth in the 1,500 in 4:54.60. Stefani recently became the first female Tiger runner since Sabrina Petri 16 years ago to break 5:00 in the 1,500. She also took sixth at 800 meters in 2:26.43. An observer at the meet told us that Stefani “defeated previously faster runners in every race and ran consistent and determined races.”

Junior Hannah Turner finished third in the 400 while setting a school record time of 61.40.

Junior Greg Wilhelm had the next best result, taking ninth in the boys’ 400 in 54.39.

Two runners competed in the girls’ 300 hurdles: Junior Zoe Noble was 16th (55.73) and sophomore Nell Brayton took 24th (60.72).

Sophomore Ben Seaton was 18th in the boys’ 1,500 (4:26.61), and junior Ella Landis took 19th in the girls’ 1,500 (5:14.59).