The Newberg cross country program enters the 2024 season on a solid foundation, returning eight of its 14 varsity runners that competed in last season’s Pacific Conference Championships.
On the boys side, the Tigers graduated four of their runners, including Caden Smith, the team’s lone state qualifier from last year. Seniors Arran Kay and Mason Warberg, along with junior Braden Fale, are the three returners and will likely bolster this year’s group.
Kay boasts the fastest personal best at 17 minutes, 19.50 seconds, which he accomplished at last season’s conference championships. Warberg followed Kay’s lead, registering a personal best of 17:27.10 at the same meet. Fale’s personal best comes in at 18:23.60.
Although the Tigers have gaps to fill, the boys team has a plethora of underclassmen at their disposal, notably sophomore Henry Shaw. Shaw ran a personal best of 17:30.80 in the conference championship’s JV race last season, finishing third overall.
On the girls side, the Tigers need to replace just two of their top seven athletes from last season’s state qualifying team. All five returners are entering their junior year and ran their personal best at the conference championships, resulting in a second-place finish.
Abigail Wheatley is Newberg’s best returning performer with a personal best of 18:56.90. Sophia Castaneda is behind her at 19:42.80, followed by junior Abby Seits at 22:09.10. Reagan Cater and Sophia Carpenter round out the group at 22:55.80 and 23:51.90, respectively.
The Tigers’ schedule is mostly full of large scale events, as the smallest meet Newberg is attending is its own three-team competition, featuring conference foes Glencoe and Sherwood.
The schedule:
Friday, Aug. 30: Night Meet at Wilsonville High SchoolThursday, Sept. 6: Pacific Conference Preview at Champoeg State ParkFriday, Sept. 13: Meriwether CC Classic at Meriwether National Golf ClubSaturday, Sept. 21: The Mook XC Invite at Alderbrook Golf CourseSaturday, Sept. 25: Forest Grove 3K at Forest Grove High SchoolSaturday, Sept. 28: Nike Portland XC at Blue Lake Regional ParkSaturday, Oct. 5: 17th Annual Twilight XC Invitational at Cedarcrest Golf CourseFriday, Oct. 11: Champoeg Invitational at Champoeg State ParkThursday, Oct. 17: Pacific/Three Rivers Crossover at Joe Dancer ParkTuesday, Oct. 22: Newberg Mile Relays at Newberg High SchoolThursday, Oct. 31: Pacific Conference Championships at Tualatin Hills Recreation CenterSaturday, Nov. 9: OSAA 6A state championships at Lane Community College
Most Popular
Comments / 0