Newport cross country’s prosperous regular season gave them the motivation and strive to battle all the way to the state championship. Ending the season with four back-to-back championships, three in this article, is difficult to absorb as an athlete. Nonetheless, these runners kept a clear mind and an even clearer vision of how to prove just who they are.
Prior to the Perry County Cross Country Championships at Susquenita High School, the Tri-Valley League Cross Country Championships occurred at Little Buffalo State Park. There, the boys’ team took runner-up and the girls placed third of five teams.
On Oct. 17, Susquenita hosted the Perry County Cross Country Championships. What must be understood is how difficult a course like this can be for ANY runner. Its elevation gain of 512 feet, steep, sideways inclines, and physically beating hills will wear out any runner in seconds.
Putting conditions aside, Newport pulled out of Susquenita that day as the boys and girls Perry County champions for the first time in school and program history. To highlight, senior Matthew Tubioli placed first in the boys race and junior Mary Jones placed third.
Greenwood’s exclusion from the championship this year due to no runners kept this meet a dual for the girls, West Perry and Newport, and a tri-meet for the boys, West Perry, Susquenita, and Newport.
Between the girls’ teams, Newport came out victoriously 26-33 against the Mustangs. The boys’ scores came out to Newport with 32 points, West Perry with 39 points, and Susquenita with 56 points.
While holding these titles in their thoughts, the Buffalo runners continued into the PIAA District III Cross Country Championships at Big Spring High School on Oct. 26.
There, Tubioli rebroke his own school record once again running a 17:40, a placing and qualifying time to send him to the state championship. Jones kept her strength and ran a qualifying time to send her as well to the state championship.
The boys team with 144 points placed sixth of nine; behind Shalom Christian Academy (130 pts.) yet ahead of West Shore Christian Academy (148 pts.). The girls with 147 points placed seventh of eight; behind Shalom Christian Academy (129 pts.) yet ahead of Veritas Academy (156 pts.).
The next weekend, Nov. 2, Tubioli and Jones made their way to Hershey to battle against all the qualifying 1A runners from around the state. The “Parkview” course is the home of the PIAA State Championships and the PIAA Foundation Invitational. It provides rolling grass and macadam hills all while being able to see the peaks of roller coasters over inside Hersheypark.
Tubioli placed 115th of 260 runners with a time of 18:54 to finish off his second and triumphant final year of high school cross country. Jones placed 179th of 247 runners at 24:47 on the clock to close her successful junior year. “I didn’t reach the time I’d love to have, but just being there with such fast and determined girls was exhilarating on its own. My team was so supportive and it was so fun being there with Matty, who shared the same pride I was feeling,” said Jones.
The strength of the runners of the 2024 Newport cross-country teams cannot be left unnoticed. Award-winning, victorious, and determined could describe this set of athletes. “We are very proud of each of them and their efforts and determination,” shared head coach Missy Briggs.
