Newcastle Runners Deliver Personal Bests in Heat at Northern Hills Invite
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Newcastle High School produced personal-best performances and a JV individual champion at the Northern Hills Cross Country Invite on Friday, Sept. 4, in Spearfish SD. The Dogies did not record a team score after runners were given the choice to compete in varsity or JV races, but LJ James led the way by winning the JV girls division in a personal-best 22 minutes, 8 seconds. Christine Swentesky paced the varsity girls, finishing 22nd with a personal-best 22:45.
Temperatures climbed close to 100 degrees, adding another challenge on a flat, fast course known for an especially quick start. Newcastle's runners handled those conditions with determination, staying close together on the clock even after the roster was split between divisions. The athletes continued to demonstrate strong pack running and pushed one another toward several season-best and personal-best times.
Christine Swentesky took advantage of the fast opening pace and delivered an encouraging performance after spending all of last season injured. The 22:45 finish gave Christine Swentesky 22nd place and provided another step forward with more time still to drop. Chanel Hanson finished 35th in 26:10, while Hollie Swentesky placed 36th in 28:43 to round out Newcastle's varsity girls results.
In the varsity boys race, Jaden McGuire battled through stomach issues and still led the Dogies with a 35th-place finish in 20:24. Lane Carter followed in 44th at 22:08, and Lucas Scribner crossed in 24:19 to place 51st. Their efforts reflected the team's willingness to keep competing through both the heat and the demanding early pace.
The JV boys and girls raced together because of the heat, a change that made the race mentally challenging for the girls. LJ James maintained a strong recent run of form and secured the JV girls victory, while Millie Paulton stepped up with a seventh-place finish in 25:59. Cheyanne Bloom placed 11th in 27:50, and Tacie Carter was 15th in 29:59. For the JV boys, Dogie Dylan Conley led Newcastle in 15th at 20:54, followed by Gilly Martinez-Chavez in 24th at 21:44 and Leigh Beason in 57th at 30:57.
The large field included Spearfish, Sheridan, Sturgis, Wright, Cheyenne Eagle Butte, Thunder Basin, Hill City, St. Thomas Moore, and Lakota Tech. Against that deep competition and difficult heat, Newcastle left the meet with a division victory, multiple high finishes and a collection of faster times. The Dogies' ability to race together across varsity and JV competition offered another promising sign as the season continues.
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