Dogies open at Mallo — Girls claim team title on challenging home course

The Newcastle High School cross-country team opened its season Friday at the Newcastle Mallo Invite at Mallo Camp, where the Dogie girls claimed the team title despite hot, dry conditions on what head coach Sally Hoover considers the toughest course her runners will face this season.

“The Mallo meet went really well,” Hoover said. “It was hot and dry up there and dehydration was a factor for several athletes, but we ran strong. The girls finished first as a team and really ran well together.”

Leading the way for Newcastle was LJ James, who finished second in the varsity girls race in 23 minutes, 20.11 seconds in her first-ever cross-country competition.

“She has never run cross country before and was really nervous and not sure how it would go, but she knocked it out of the park!” Hoover said.

Christine Swentesky also turned in a top-five performance, finishing fourth in 25:31.41.

Millie Paulton crossed the line 11th in 29:58.38, followed closely by Hollie Swentesky in 12th at 30:33.63, Chanel Hanson in 13th at 30:42.44 and Tacie Carter in 14th at 31:15.08. Cheyanne Bloom rounded out the Newcastle girls’ finishers, placing 16th in 31:52.27.

Hoover said opening the season at Mallo presents an immediate challenge for runners.

“Mallo is the toughest meet of the season because of the hills, and to do it the first week of competition is tough!” she said.

The Dogie boys were unable to field a complete team because several runners were unavailable, but four Newcastle athletes competed individually.

Lane Carter led the boys with a seventh-place finish in 22:13.21.

“Lane looked good with a seventh-place finish for the boys,” Hoover said.

Dylan Conley followed in 10th place with a time of 22:49.21, and Gilly Martinez was right behind him in 11th at 23:28.52. Leigh Beason finished 19th in 34:14.95.

The Dogies will travel to Spearfish, South Dakota, on Friday for their second meet of the season. After tackling the hills at Mallo, Hoover expects the flatter Spearfish course to produce quicker times.

“Even with the warm conditions, I expect everyone to run fast as it’s a flat course,” she said.

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