The Newton Community High School girls cross country team captured the team championship Saturday, September 19, at the Olney Cross Country Invitational, finishing ahead of nine competing teams.
Newton scored 80 points to take first place, edging Olney (Richland County), which finished second with 87 points. Princeton Community was third with 94 points, followed by Fairfield with 103 and Robinson with 105.
Newton’s five scoring runners combined for a team time of 1:52:25.6, averaging 7:44 per mile.
Avery Geier led the Eagles with an outstanding fifth-place overall finish, crossing the finish line in 20:46.81 with a 7:08-per-mile pace. Heather Bergbower followed closely, placing sixth in 20:53.53 at a 7:11 pace.
Chloe Holsapple finished 17th overall in 22:37.50, averaging 7:46 per mile. Josie Vogt placed 32nd in 23:59.86 with an 8:15 pace, while Nora Street rounded out Newton’s five scoring runners in 37th place at 24:07.92, averaging 8:18 per mile.
Newton also received strong performances from Kimberly Bierman and Kate Bierman. Kimberly finished 40th in 24:21.63 with an 8:22 pace, while Kate placed 51st in 25:42.52 at an 8:50 pace.
Newton Girls Team Results
| Place | Runner | Time | Pace |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Avery Geier | 20:46.81 | 7:08 |
| 6 | Heather Bergbower | 20:53.53 | 7:11 |
| 17 | Chloe Holsapple | 22:37.50 | 7:46 |
| 32 | Josie Vogt | 23:59.86 | 8:15 |
| 37 | Nora Street | 24:07.92 | 8:18 |
| 40 | Kimberly Bierman | 24:21.63 | 8:22 |
| 51 | Kate Bierman | 25:42.52 | 8:50 |
Team Standings
- Newton — 80 points — 1:52:25.6 — 7:44 average
- Olney (Richland County) — 87 points — 1:53:47.6 — 7:49
- Princeton Community — 94 points — 1:54:42.6 — 7:53
- Fairfield — 103 points — 1:55:27.3 — 7:56
- Robinson — 105 points — 1:56:25.7 — 8:00
- Centralia — 110 points — 1:57:10.9 — 8:03
- Teutopolis — 133 points — 2:00:34.1 — 8:17
- Dieterich — 191 points — 2:09:33.7 — 8:54
- Charleston — 235 points — 2:19:33.9 — 9:36
- Maranatha Christian Academy — 249 points — 2:19:01.4 — 9:33
The Newton girls’ 80-point total gave them a seven-point margin over runner-up Olney, as the Eagles continued their 2026 cross country season with a team victory.
Newton Boys
On the boys’ side, Levi Salyers led Newton with a 38th-place finish in 19:41.06, averaging 6:46 per mile. Kendall Probst finished 67th in 21:23.41, followed by Jeremiah Hills in 88th at 23:09.99.
Holden Barthlemy and Alec Bower finished together, placing 110th and 111th, respectively, with times of 55:04.71 and 55:04.75.
