Catoctin High School (Thurmont, MD) once again played host to the Cougar Challenge 5K on Saturday, Sept. 25. Runners from Gov. Thomas Johnson, Oakdale, Walkersville, and Clarksburg joined the host in a mid-season test in the foothills of the Catoctin Mountains. However, there was one team in particular that stood out. The Oakdale team differentiated themselves from the rest of the pack by dominating their competitors in both of the varsity races.
(Jenna Conley finishes as the first-place winner in the girls varsity race)
The girls varsity race saw Catoctin Sophomore Jenna Conley bring home the win in 22:02.85, followed by Clarksburg freshman Miya Kilosky (22:40.82) and Oakdale junior Caylin Walker (23:08.81). Walker ended up leading the Oakdale Bears to victory as the team scored a mere 31 points. The runner-ups were Clarksburg (52 points), led by Kilosky, and Gov. Thomas Johnson (65 points), led by freshman Erin Reeder (23:59.89).
(Oakdale varsity girls team posing with their first-place plaque)
(Abhishek Mudireddy finishes as the first-place winner in the boys varsity race)
The boys varsity race was won by Oakdale's Abhishek Mudireddy with a blistering time of 17:55.73, which granted him a lead of almost 50 seconds. Mudireddy was followed by Catoctin junior Alexander Contreras with a time of 18:43.23 and Oakdale senior Reed Fliegel with a time of 18:59.74.
(Oakdale varsity boys team posing with their first-place plaque)
Once again, the Oakdale Bears (30 points) took home the team title as led by Mudireddy. Oakdale was followed by Gov. Thomas Johnson (59 points), led by sophomore James Partlow (19:18.71 - fourth place), and host Catoctin (68 points).