Blackhawks Kick Off PCC Season with Platinum Effort
On a cool afternoon with a touch of rain in the air, the Westville Middle School Cross Country team lined up at Hebron High School for the opening round of the Porter County Conference Round Robin. The weather may have been damp, but the Blackhawks’ spirit shined bright as they run to perform.
Boys Race
Eighth-grader Tobias Bradney stole the show in the boys’ race, surging to the front and never looking back. His commanding victory came with a blazing time of 10:35, setting the tone for Westville’s season with a first-place finish.
Behind Bradney, the Blackhawks showed steady growth and resilience. Gavin Hutchison (7th) ran a strong race to place 32nd in 12:55, while Everett Ewart (8th) followed with a time of 14:26, good for 55th. Seventh-graders Henry Golden (67th, 15:46) and Jaxon Egly (89th, 21:20) rounded out the team effort.
Girls Race
Westville’s girls displayed depth and promise, with multiple runners landing in the top half of the field. Sixth-grader Makayla Doyle led the charge, clocking a swift 13:40 for 16th place. Close behind was seventh-grader Genevieve Nettrouer, who crossed in 13:50 for 17th, showcasing the team’s youthful potential.
Brooklyn Burger (6th) put together a strong effort for 24th place in 14:11, and Lily Jamieson (6th) followed closely with a 14:18 finish for 26th. Eighth-grader Brooklyn Egly kept the momentum going at 43rd in 15:37, while Lily Barbahen (6th) finished 45th with a 16:02 clocking.
Rounding out the girls’ lineup, Isabella Popp (7th, 52nd in 17:19), Sarah Purcell (6th, 53rd in 17:23), and Brooklynn King (7th, 64th in 17:59) all battled through the slick course conditions to complete the Blackhawks’ strong team showing.
Building Momentum
The Round Robin is more than just a scorecard — it’s the first stepping stone in a long season of growth. With Bradney’s headline-grabbing win, Doyle and Nettrouer’s impressive early-season marks, and a full squad of determined finishers, Westville showed they are building toward something special.
The Blackhawks will be back on course Wednesday, September 17th at 5:00 PM, when they return to Hebron High School for the Porter County Conference Round Robin 2 — the regular season finale. With momentum from their strong opener, Westville enters the next test carrying forward confidence, unity, and the platinum standard of effort that continues to define their program.