Dogies Girls Take Third, Boys Fifth at 3A East Conference Meet

NEWCASTLE, Wyo. - Newcastle High School placed third in the varsity girls race and fifth in the varsity boys race at the 3A East conference cross country meet Thursday, Oct. 15, in Wheatland, led by LJ James’ runner-up finish and Jaden McGuire’s 19th-place effort. The girls earned their highest conference finish in several years.

James crossed the finish line in 20:29, while Christine Swentesky placed 10th in 21:52. Both earned all-conference honors. Behind those two finishers, the Dogies put three runners in consecutive places: Cheyanne Bloom took 34th in 24:53, Chanel Hanson finished 35th in 24:58 and Hollie Swentesky placed 36th in 25:16. That group finished within 23 seconds of one another.

Hanson set a personal best, and Hollie Swentesky recorded a season-best time. Millie Paulton followed in 39th place at 26:01, with Tacie Carter taking 41st in 27:16 to complete the girls’ lineup.

The boys emphasized running together against a fast conference field, with the top five producing personal-best or near-personal-best performances and strong finishes. McGuire led the way in 19:15. Dylan Conley placed 28th in 19:59, Lucas Scribner took 30th in a personal-best 20:12 and Lane Carter finished 31st in 20:27.

Kendrick Blumenthal rounded out the boys’ top five in 42nd place with a season-best 21:26. Leigh Beason finished 62nd in 26:56. Every Newcastle runner improved on their time from the team’s first visit to the Wheatland course two weeks earlier, turning a second chance on the course into a team-wide step forward.

Cold, wet and windy conditions challenged the Dogies before racing began, but the moisture let up and the sun emerged for race time. Despite the tougher weather than on their previous visit, Newcastle’s runners delivered faster times throughout both lineups. The Dogies compete next at the state meet Saturday, Oct. 24th, in Cheyenne.