The Newton Eagles girls’ cross country team earned a trip to the sectional meet with a fourth-place finish at the 2026 IHSA Class 1A Cross Country Regional at Lakeland College.
Newton scored 88 points and recorded a team time of 1:47:43.8, averaging 21:32.8 per runner. Marshall won the regional team title with 49 points, followed by Neoga with 74 and Robinson with 85.
Avery Geier led the Eagles, placing eighth overall with a time of 19:51.0. Heather Bergbower finished 15th in 21:00.3, followed closely by Chloe Holsapple in 18th with a time of 21:07.5.
Nora Street placed 30th in 22:43.9, while Josie Vogt finished 33rd in 23:01.1. Kimberly Bierman crossed the finish line in 36th place with a time of 23:06.2, and Kate Bierman finished 40th in 23:46.6.
The fourth-place finish secured the Newton girls a spot in the sectional meet, extending their postseason run.
The Newton boys also competed at the regional, finishing seventh with 161 points and a team time of 1:57:56.8.
Holden Barthemey led the Newton boys, placing 13th overall with a time of 17:14.9. Levi Salyers finished 35th in 18:58.7, and Jeremiah Hills placed 40th with a time of 19:08.4.
Toledo (Cumberland) won the boys’ team championship with 29 points, followed by Fairfield with 53 and Robinson with 80.
Photos by Marcia Street
