Newcastle Girls Win Team Title as LJ James Places Second in Debut
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Newcastle High School’s girls delivered a first-place team finish Friday, Aug. 28, powered by a runner-up performance from LJ James and a tightly grouped pack behind the leaders. James completed the course in 23 minutes, 20. seconds, finishing second overall in the varsity girls division in the first cross country race of James’ career. Christine Swentesky added another top-five result, placing fourth in 25:31.41.
The Dogies earned the team victory by staying connected through the warm, dusty conditions on their home course. Newcastle’s third through seventh runners finished within five places of one another, giving the team the depth it needed against a field that included Hulett, Sundace, Wright, Moorcroft and Lusk. The close grouping reflected a strong pack-running approach on a day when clear skies and rising temperatures added to the challenge.
Millie Paulton led that pack across the finish line, placing 11th in 29:58. Hollie Swentesky followed in 12th at 30:33, while Chanel Hanson secured 13th in 30:42. Tacie Carter finished 14th with a time of 31:15, and Cheyanne Bloom completed the group in 16th at 31:52. With four Dogies claiming consecutive places from 11th through 14th, Newcastle limited the scoring space available to its competition.
The boys adjusted after Dogie Jaden McGuire, who was expected to be one of the team’s top runners, was unable to finish because of stomach issues. Lane Carter stepped up during the race, and recorded Newcastle’s best boys finish. Carter placed seventh in 22:13, giving the Dogies a top-10 performance despite the unexpected setback.
Newcastle also received back-to-back finishes from Dylan Conley and Gilly Martinez. Conley crossed in 22:49 to place 10th, and Martinez was 11th in 23:28. Their consecutive finishes gave the boys three runners among the first 11. Leigh Beason rounded out the listed Newcastle results, placing 19th in 34:14..
James’ impressive debut and the girls’ disciplined pack provided an encouraging opening statement for the Dogies. Newcastle placed two girls in the top four, four consecutive runners from 11th through 14th and seven total runners among the first 16, a complete team effort that brought home the meet title.
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