Dogies excited to run

Sonja Karp
NLJ Sports Reporter
 
If a silver lining can be found regarding COVID-19 making the fall high school sports seasons uncertain, it’s that now that athletes have the go-ahead to compete the dedication they are exhibiting is nothing less than all-in.
“This is a really great group of kids,” exclaimed head cross country coach Kathy Beehler. “They are motivated, they work hard, and they’ve gone through some pretty grueling practices. I thought we might have to back some things off, but we haven’t so that’s awesome.”
Though numbers are down a little from past years, the Dogies are returning veteran runners to the team. Only one boy from last season’s state roster was lost to graduation, so Beehler’s top six are back at it again this year. The girls’ team lost two, but return two as well.
“Alaina [Laurence] and Lara [Lopez] are looking good, and then we have three newbies who are running tough so that’s awesome,” Beehler explained. “We also have a couple of guys who are challenging last year’s state qualifiers, and are knocking on that door to try to secure a spot for themselves so there’s a little bit of competition which is great.”
Beehler is expecting both teams to be strong, and that any one of the runners will be ready and able to step up if needed.
The restrictions in place due to COVID limits the number of runners to 112 per meet, so the smaller team size actually works out pretty well, given the circumstances. Individual teams are also restricted regarding the number of athletes they can enter into each race, so with 15 boys and five girls, the Dogies are in pretty good shape to be able to offer every runner the opportunity to compete on a regular basis.
“Things are going to be different this year, but the kids have been so flexible when we’ve had to change things up for one reason or another,” Beehler said. “They seem to have that racing mentality in their blood and in their heart. You can see that they are giving everything they’ve got and you really can’t teach that. It comes from within.”
The Dogies are a little senior heavy this season, with five boys and two girls. There are also five junior boys back this year, one sophomore boy and one girl, and four freshmen boys and two girls who round out the roster.
“The people that are here really want to be here and really want to work hard, which is everything I could ever ask for,” Beehler said. “I’m especially pleased with our senior leadership. They are trying to help the younger kids, and they are leading by example. I’m just feeling really good about our season.”
Usually, Newcastle begins their season with a home meet at Mallo, however this year they open their season with a meet at the Newcastle Country Club golf course on Friday, Aug. 28. Ten teams were invited, however Buffalo, Big Horn and Rawlins cancelled early this week. Beehler is hoping to organize another home meet in the one open weekend in September, but that is still up in the air.