During the season, the girls were able to capture seven team championships, winning their first Area Championships as well as the I-270 Rush Hour Rumble at Urbana High School, and the 1A West Regional Meet. At the Frank Keyser Invitational held at Boonsboro High School, the girl's team was bested by eventual state runner-up Smithsburg by 5 points. From that point on, the team would not lose another meet and won 5 in a row to finish the season and 6 out of their final 7. 

 

Girls Finishers 

8^th  Sophia Brown  21:50  All-State (3^rd time)            

9^th  Lydia Nelson  21:53  All-State (2^nd time) 

15^th  Danika Krause  22:47  All-State (1^st time) 

18^th  Kaylee Bowser  22:58  All-State (1^st time) 

20^th  McKenzie Upole  23:05  All-State (2^nd time) 

21^st  Isabella Yoder  23:16  All-State (1^st time) 

33^rd  Leah McKenzie  24:38 

Girls Team Standings 

1^st  Northern Garrett  52 points 

2^nd  Smithsburg  97 points 

3^rd  Fallston  104 points 

4^th  Southern Garrett  124 points 

5^th  Mountain Ridge  146 points 

The boy's race was a much tighter affair. Edging out a very talented Catoctin team, the boys scored 78 points, to win by just 9 points.  

Much like the girl's team, the boys relied on great depth and determination. The boys ended with a spread of 59 seconds from their first to their fifth runners. The team was able to put their fifth runner across the finish line before any other team would have their fourth runner finish.  

The boys were led to the line by Ethyn Peck, finishing 6^th at 18:22. Ashton Sober had an outstanding performance to grab 11^th place at 18:38. Finishing 20^th was Jayden Fike with a time of 18:54. Almost immediately behind was Matthew Yoder, running 19:04 for 23^rd. DeVante Ross had an excellent race to finish 30^th in 19:22. Ted Guingrich nabbed a 73^rd place finish in 21:33. The gutsiest, most determined race of the day went to Josh Brobst, who battled through dehydration to cross the line in 81^st. It was a showing of a runner fully devoted to his team refusing to give up no matter what. Four of the seven boys' runners netted All-State honors. 

During the season, the boy's team captured only 4 team titles, but they were the last 4 meets of the season. They scraped out a very tight 5-point win at the 1A West Regional Meet over Catoctin and won the WestMAC title as well. Ethyn Peck won 3 individual titles during the season at the Broad Ford Invitational, the WestMAC Championships, and the Husky Pride Invitational. 

Boys Finishers 

6^th  Ethyn Peck  18:22  All-State (2^nd time) 

11^th  Ashton Sober  18:38  All-State (1^st time) 

20^th  Jayden Fike  18:54  All-State (2^nd time) 

23^rd  Matthew Yoder  19:04  All-State (1^st time) 

30^th  DeVante Ross  19:22 

73^rd  Ted Guingrich  21:33 

81^st  Josh Brobst  22:07 

Boys Team Standings 

1^st  Northern Garrett  78 points 

2^nd  Catoctin  87 points 

3^rd  Brunswick  104 points 

4^th  Francis Scott Key  114 points 

5^th  Fallston  122 points                      

Just like last year, these state titles would not happen without great teamwork between the coaches of different sports at Northern Garrett High School. Coach Gregg Hostetler (girl's soccer) has been instrumental in his unwavering support of cross-country, going so far as to encourage his entire soccer team to run. Ten of the fifteen girls' team members are on the girl's soccer team. Coach Corey Durst (boy's soccer) has also been particularly supportive, with five of the eleven team members playing soccer.  It is quite the endeavor and workload for those athletes. It would not be possible without the mutual regard and appreciation of two successful programs and coaches working together for the advancement of young athletes. This really is a story of coaches supporting one another and wanting what is best for their athletes.